UDOT Releases Final EIS and Record of Decision for I-15 corridor from Farmington to Salt Lake City

Five general purpose lanes and one Express Lane, plus separate walking and biking paths identified in selected alternative

Today, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) released the Final Environmental Impact Statement and the accompanying Record of Decision for the I-15 corridor between Farmington and Salt Lake City. After thorough analysis and public engagement, UDOT believes the alternative selected best meets the transportation needs of those using this corridor while minimizing impacts.

Key features of the final alternative include:

• A consistent freeway that includes five general purpose lanes plus one Express Lane in each direction from Farmington to Salt Lake City. Additional capacity is needed as part of a comprehensive approach to accommodate future travel demand in the corridor, which includes improvements to transit, local and state roads, and additional walking and biking facilities.
• Improvements to each interchange in the study area to better accommodate all users - those who walk, bike, take transit and drive - and increase safe access across I-15 in each community.
• New and separate walking and biking paths to connect existing pedestrian facilities along and across the freeway.

"This decision represents a critical milestone for improving transportation along I-15," said Michael Romero, I-15 EIS Project Director. "After extensive research from the study team, the public, and other stakeholders, we have come up with a solution that will improve mobility for everyone who walks, bikes, uses transit and drives, all while minimizing environmental impacts."

UDOT's purpose since the study began, has been to analyze and recommend transportation solutions that improve mobility and quality of life for all users of the corridor in the face of rapid growth. The final alternative reflects input and refinements gained from public and stakeholder input at each milestone of the study process.

Following the Record of Decision, UDOT's next step is to prepare for construction, which may begin as soon as 2027. This includes additional design work, coordination with local governments and other third parties such as utility companies, acquisition of necessary property, budget allocation, and identifying and hiring a project team to finalize and construct the project.

Details of the final alternative and the proposed mitigations for any impacts are included in the FEIS on the study website: i15eis.udot.utah.gov.