On Thursday, Nov. 7, residents and commuters experienced significant delays when traffic ground to a halt at the intersection of SR-73 (Cory B. Wride Memorial Highway) and SR-85 (Mountain View Corridor).
Though the approved traffic control plan was in place, the closure of double left-turn lanes from Cory B. Wride to Mountain View Corridor led to congestion that extended over a mile.
The situation unfolded as the project contractor began excavating the west side of 800 West, impacting the southbound lane and shoulder. This work effectively closed the lane, prompting a necessary shift of all 800 West lanes to the east to align with the southbound lanes on Mountain View Corridor.
To accommodate this shift, northbound Mountain View Corridor was reduced from two lanes to one, while the two left-turn lanes from Cory B. Wride onto Mountain View Corridor were reduced to a single lane. These changes led to the significant backup.
Once excavation began, reversing the lane closure was no longer an option. With paving originally scheduled for mid-December, it was clear the current traffic plan would not be viable. UDOT traffic engineers and project designers quickly worked on a new solution, which was implemented by mid-day Friday, Nov. 8, restoring the double left-turn lanes from Cory B. Wride to Mountain View Corridor.
To enable this, the left-turn lane from southbound Mountain View Corridor to eastbound Pioneer Crossing was temporarily eliminated. Drivers needing to make this left turn can continue south on 800 West to 400 North and access Redwood Road from there.
Despite the setbacks, there is progress to report. The contractor is expediting excavation and road base preparations on 800 West. Paving for the section from Pioneer Crossing to 1200 North is now scheduled earlier, with the goal of completion before Thanksgiving—pending favorable weather and schedule alignment.
For now, the left turn from southbound Mountain View Corridor onto eastbound Pioneer Crossing remains closed.
Eagle Mountain City and UDOT appreciate the patience of residents and commuters as they work to improve the safety and efficiency of the area’s roadways.
