ENR 2024 Mountain States Best Projects
Best Project, Highway/Bridge: I80/I-215
Photo courtesy Michael Baker International
I-80/I-215
Salt Lake City
BEST PROJECT
Submitted by: Michael Baker International
OWNER Utah Dept. of Transportation
LEAD DESIGN FIRM Michael Baker International
GENERAL CONTRACTOR Ralph L Wadsworth Construction Co.
A $148-million design-build effort has revitalized 4.5 miles of the I-80 corridor. The project features improvements to roadways, bridges and drainage systems; enhancements for cyclists and pedestrians; and utility relocations.
Crews completed comprehensive concrete pavement replacement throughout the alignment and demolished and reconstructed multiple bridges. Temporary structures at 2300 E and 2000 E helped simplify traffic management around bridge and structure work while maintaining the uninterrupted flow of all lanes during peak hours. Accelerated bridge construction techniques were used on two crossings. New bridges were built next to the existing structures, the existing bridges demolished and the new structures moved into place. In fact, the 1300 East bridge replacement completed on this project is also the largest bridge slide performed in Utah to date.
The team fine-tuned the layout of concrete joints to minimize significant traffic pattern alterations, thereby enhancing driver predictability and safety within construction zones. This approach ensured uninterrupted traffic flow in all lanes, including ramps, even during peak periods, completely eliminating traffic splits on I-80. Meanwhile, an inside-out construction methodology on I-80 involved just three major shifts, ensuring minimal traffic disruptions. This approach maintained a familiar corridor for the traveling public, improving mobility and preserving travel times.
