CEDAR CITY – The makeover is finally finished for the Interstate 15 south entrance to and from Cedar City, and all who live in the area are invited to attend the South Cedar Interchange grand opening Friday morning.
Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson said she is pleased beyond words with the new freeway exit and the opportunities it will provide to the community. She said the new design supports growth in the region and will also accommodate pedestrians and cyclists more hospitably.
Utah Department of Transportation Region 4 Communication Manager Kevin Kitchen said there were a few hiccups along the way but, thankfully, the project was completed without delays. He said that was due largely in part to having the contractors participate in the planning portion of the project.
The new layout is called a diverging diamond interchange, and Kitchen said UDOT has seen a 45 percent reduction in accidents statewide where the design has been implemented.
The project was valued at $10.4 million, according to a press release, “which included remodeling of the Exit 57 interchange into a configuration designed to improve traffic flow, safety, future traffic volumes and economic development.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new interchange will take place Friday at 9 a.m. at the northeast corner of I-15 Exit 57. The grand opening event will include addresses from Rick Torgerson, UDOT Region Four director; former Cedar City Mayor Joe Burgess, who started the project during his time in office; current Cedar City Mayor Wilson; and Naghi Zeenati of the Utah Transportation Commission.
The ceremony will be followed by refreshments.
Event details
- When: Friday, Oct. 24, 9-10 a.m.
- Where: I-15 Exit 57 northeast corner
- Admission: Free
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Carin Miller
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Twitter: @STGnews
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