CLINTON — The Federal Highway Administration has cleared the way for a massive road project to begin in northern Davis County.
The Utah Department of Transportation announced earlier this month that the FHA has granted final approval for a plan to build a freeway interchange at 1800 North in Sunset, widen the road through Clinton and build a new railroad bridge across the road.
The new interchange will include flyover ramps on the east side of freeway and will also provide another entrance to the Falcon Hill Research Park at Hill Air Force Base.
The project has been estimated to cost $185 million, but UDOT Region One spokesman Vic Saunders said those costs could change when construction begins.
The project isn’t currently funded, but Region One Director Kris Peterson said efforts are already being made to fund it.
“This has been a lengthy and detailed process, but it meets (our) goals to improve east-west mobility, safety and access in this area of northern Davis County,” Peterson said.
UDOT completed an environmental study on the project last fall, which ended more than five years of analysis and debate weighing environmental concerns related to the project against future transportation needs.
As part of the project, 1800 North will be widened to five lanes between Main Street and 2000 West. Additional lanes will be included at Main Street and 2000 West to provide space for turning.
UDOT will also build a railroad bridge that will lift 1800 North over the Union Pacific Railroad and Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner corridor. UDOT officials say the bridge will eliminate unsafe interactions between trains, motorists and pedestrians.
UDOT project manager Brett Slater said the new interchange will improve take traffic off of busy interchanges at 650 North and 5600 South.
“The purpose and need objectives were to reduce congestion, improve mobility and access to I-15, and to improve safety and the operational characteristics of 1800 North,” Slater said in a press release. “This decision confirms that we satisfactorily addressed those issues”
Slater said 10 alternatives were considered by the study team during the environmental process.
The FWA’s approval ends its involvement with the project.
To view the FHA’s Record of Decision for the project, visit www.udot.utah.gov/1800north, or view the document at the UDOT Region One Headquarters, 166 West Southwell Street, Ogden.
