US 89 is a north-south highway that extends through the state’s center. Measuring 502 miles in length, it is Utah’s longest road. Traffic models showed the need for making changes. The area used to be mainly rural and agricultural, but the land is now used for suburban and commercial development. Planners expect traffic to increase 43% by 2040. Instead of 37,700 vehicles per day, they expect 54,000 vehicles per day. Higher volume means congestion, delays and an increased number of crashes involving cars and wildlife. Instead of relying on traffic signals at intersections, the new design separates US 89 from cross traffic by routing it underneath the cross streets. Removing traffic signals and creating grade-separated interchanges have been shown to reduce traffic accidents and improve safety. Intersections with traffic signals have accident rates 4.5 times higher than intersections with interchanges, and the rate of severe crashes is 3.5 times higher. UDOT’s upgrade to US 89 is in Davis County and involves the following changes: • Removal of homes (many already owned by UDOT) in the expansion’s path • The addition of six lanes (three north and three south) begins at Main Street in Farmington and ends at State Route 193 in Layton • Relocation of 150 miles of utilities across the corridor; Weber Basin Water Conservancy, Dominion Energy, Rocky Mountain Power, and Century Link were all involved. • Creation of new drainage ponds • A three-mile extension of Gordon Avenue in Layton so it connects to US 89 ONE OF UDOT’S LARGEST CURRENT PROJECTS THE US 89 UPGRADE 18
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