Construction of the new Interstate 15 pedestrian bridge that will connect Utah Valley University with the UTA FrontRunner Orem Central Station is underway, with the approximate completion date set for Dec. 2020.
The nearly 1,000-foot structure, which is a joint project between UDOT, UTA, and UVU, was designed to make public transportation easier and more efficient for students who commute from Salt Lake and northern Utah counties, and to alleviate traffic on nearby roads. The bridge will also serve as a pedestrian-friendly connection between UVU’s main and west campus.
“This bridge is a symbol of UVU’s commitment to sustainability, clean air, and reducing traffic,” said Astrid S. Tuminez, president of Utah Valley University. “We are grateful to the Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Transit Authority for their vision, resources, and support of this project.”
The bridge will include a 15-foot wide, partially enclosed walkway with heating elements in the floor for snow removal. There will be ample room for cyclists and pedestrians. High-capacity elevators and stairs will be provided at each end of the bridge for accessibility compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Transportation-building partnerships between government entities are rare. The partners are hopeful the model can be used in future state transportation projects. UTA contributed $4 million to the project, UVU contributed $6 million, and UDOT contributed $20.7 million. The City of Orem and the Mountainland Association of Governments were also instrumental in driving early concepts of the project.
The majority of the work will not affect local traffic or UVU operations. However, I-15 will close briefly at night when construction crews place bridge beams and set concrete. UDOT will give two-week advance notices before the closures.
Kraemer North America, LLC was selected as the general contractor, and Salt Lake-based WSP was selected as the design and engineering firm with architectural services provided by Method Studio. UDOT will oversee the construction.
