UDOT making changes after dozens of crashes at one intersection
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — If you travel on Bangerter Highway in Taylorsville, changes are coming.
Starting on Monday night at 7 p.m., Utah Department of Transportation crews will close the east-west access at Bangerter and 6200 South, so you will no longer be able to drive straight through on 6200 S. UDOT says it’s a step they need to take to improve safety.
“Over the last month, we’ve been averaging about a crash every other day. It’s really astounding," John Gleason with UDOT said.
Gleason said they know what’s causing the problem.
“It’s all because of poor driving behavior. It’s because of people running red lights, speeding."
UDOT decided change is necessary.
“We’re seeing these crashes happen time and time again. So we have to sometimes go above and beyond to assure safety. And this is one of those cases," Gleason said.
On Monday night, crews will begin the work to to close east-west access on the route.
“We’ve worked very closely with the city and with the police department, and we feel the best decision is to close down 6200 South at Bangerter. Take that stoplight that somebody people are running out of the equation," Gleason said.
You will still be able to turn right if you’re heading up 6200 South onto Bangerter, but you won’t be able to drive straight through.
“We’re thinking that this is going to be a good solution for the safety in the area,” Gleason said.
By Tuesday morning, the change will be in place. Gleason said those use to driving through Bangerter on 6200 South will have to find an alternate way.
This will be solved by mid-November, when the area will become a freeway style interchange, so Bangerter traffic will go over 6200 South.
