Construction of the new I-15 pedestrian bridge that will connect Utah Valley University (UVU) with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) FrontRunner Orem Central Station is underway.
The nearly 1,000-ft structure—which is a joint project between Utah DOT (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,” UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez said in a statement. “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-ft-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 ADA accessibility compliance.
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.
Kraemer North America was selected to be the general contractor, while Salt Lake-based WSP was selected as the design and engineering firm, with architectural services provided by Method Studio.
The approximate completion date set for the bridge is December 2020.
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SOURCE: Utah Valley University
