Construction is set to kick off this week on a massive two-year project aimed at improving a key roadway on the west side of Utah’s capital city.
Salt Lake City will begin the much-anticipated 600/700 North reconstruction project in Rose Park on Wednesday, with signs already warning drivers to ‘expect delays’ due to lane closures in the vicinity.
In addition to the construction, the city is planning to hold a public open house on Wednesday to clarify the project’s timeline, which has been described as hazy by local officials.
“It’s hard to know, at this point, how long the project is going to take to build, but we’re quite sure it’s going to take more than just one construction season,” said Kyle Cook, a Salt Lake City transportation engineer.
City transportation officials previously cautioned residents about potential ‘major’ traffic disruptions once construction commenced, which is why they began disseminating information about the impacts back in December.
The project encompasses a complete reconstruction of 600/700 North between 800 West and Redwood Road, a vital east-west connector that links traffic between I-15 and I-215.
Prominent features set to be included in the project are curb-protected bike lanes, improved crosswalks, and other infrastructure upgrades, which align with the needs and requests voiced by residents in the surrounding area.
“By maintaining the existing travel lanes, we keep capacity and avoid congestion for drivers. Adding high-comfort bike lanes provides safe and comfortable access for riders of all ages and abilities, and new trees will provide shade and beauty for current and future generations,” stated Megan Leether, a Salt Lake City project engineer.
Funding for the $20 million project has been allocated from various sources, including a city sales tax bond and the Utah Department of Transportation’s (UDOT) transportation investment fund.
This project is only one of several initiatives planned for the current construction season.
Although traffic conditions will soon be narrowed to one lane in each direction, officials anticipate the most significant travel disruptions are still to come.
The construction on the roadway will coincide with a separate UDOT-led project intended to replace the aging bridge over the Jordan River along the route.
Despite being separate projects, Cook indicated that both the city and UDOT have coordinated their efforts to ensure their timelines align appropriately.
However, UDOT remains in the contractor selection process for the bridge replacement at 650 North, which directly transitions the roadway from 600 North to 700 North, contributing to the uncertainty regarding the total construction timeline.
A portion of the road will be closed once that project begins, which is expected to occur during the latter half of this year, according to Cook.
The expected closure could last for as long as eight months, with the potential to extend into May 2026, barring any unforeseen setbacks.
“The bridge project is going to be shorter in duration but higher in impact,” Cook added.
“It’s this kind of floating puzzle piece that we’re still trying to figure out when it’s going to hit and how exactly it’s going to work.”
The remainder of the road redesign is anticipated to extend through the end of the 2026 construction season, occurring simultaneously with the bridge project.
Road users are already preparing for the impacts of the upcoming work.
Starting this week, Utah Transit Authority has implemented a long-term detour for its Route 205 bus, rerouting service from between 900 West and Redwood Road to 500 North for the foreseeable future.
The city is expecting further impacts as construction progresses.
Transportation officials will be on hand to address questions at Backman Elementary School, located at 601 N. 1500 West, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The open house will also offer food from The Other Side Donuts, alongside a raffle for new adult and children’s bikes and additional bike-related equipment in collaboration with Bike Utah.
image source from：https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/04/15/massive-overhaul-of-salt-lake-city-road-set-to-begin-this-week-with-larger-impacts-on-the-horizon/
