Courtesy UDOT
Map of UDOT closure in Orem for infrastructure repair.
Motorists using University Parkway and State Street to do their Saturday errands need to rethink how they are going to get around town.
On Wednesday, the Utah Department of Transportation and Orem City put out an advisory for drivers to plan for weekend travel delays at the intersection of State Street and University Parkway in Orem to repair a damaged water line underneath the road, according to John Gleason, UDOT spokesman.
Beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday, and through 6 a.m. on April 11, crews are scheduled to reduce eastbound University Parkway and northbound State Street to one lane and close the left turn lanes from southbound State Street to University Parkway, Gleason said.
This closure could affect some travelers coming home and off the freeway from Spring Breaks, shoppers at University Place, Trader Joes and other retailers and well as using the Parkway to get to Provo.
“To the best of our knowledge, the leak at the intersection of State Street and University Parkway has been dripping for a couple of months but it was only recently discovered due to a patch of ice that would just not melt. Upon further investigation it was determined that an extensive fix would be required,” said Carlos Garcia, Orem staff engineer.
“This line is a major artery in our water system and is critical to both the south and west areas of Orem,” Garcia said.
“Due to the critical nature of this intersection to traffic flow in Orem, we will be unleashing our expeditious protocols by working around the clock through the entire weekend, using rapid set concrete and flow fill to make sure the roads are ready for business come Monday morning,” according to Garcia. The city is partnering with Cody Ekker Construction on the repairs.
Construction activities are subject to change due to weather, equipment issues, or materials availability. The latest information on traffic conditions across the state is available using the UDOT Traffic website or by downloading the UDOT Traffic app.
“Our police and fire employees are rightly seen as first responders but our engineering and public works employees are often left out of that conversation,” said Pete Wolfley, city spokesman. “They are first responders in every sense of the term because they will do whatever it takes to get the job done, keep Orem moving, and the water flowing.”