‘Painful’ construction on 300 West in Salt Lake City: Drivers may find some relief soon

SALZSEE-CITY (KUTV) –

Many drivers learn to avoid 300 West during construction, although a city advisor promises some relief will come soon.

The road is single lane in each direction. In addition, all traffic going east on 1300 South will be diverted to the back roads around Walmart.

“The other day I was at Target and then to get to Costco, I was stuck in traffic for 45 minutes,” a driver told 2News. “Short distance. It’s very painful.”

Dee Benson, owner of My Thai Asian Cuisine, said she was losing customers. Sales decreased by 30% or more.

“It’s difficult,” she said, “because even with the COVID, some people are still working from home, and that is now a kind of double risk for me.”

The crews are modernizing the underground utilities, then rebuilding the road, expanding the sidewalk, and adding a two-way bike path.

Stacee Adams, project communications manager, said relief will come in late August when 1300 South fully reopens.

“Once that closure is gone, it will return to regular construction traffic, which can be a short delay, possibly up to five minutes,” she said, “but we are not looking at the types of delays we have” now. “

All lanes on 300 West will be reopened in October. Construction will resume in the spring, but Adams said projects will be easier for drivers over the next year as utility work is completed.

“This year is the toughest year,” said Adams. “It’s the worst year in terms of impact. It’s the chaotic year. “

The construction work is expected to be completed in October 2022. Updates to the project are available on this website.