Salt Lake County drivers are in for a long construction season. UDOT is kicking off a series of staged ramp closures at the I-80 and I-215 interchange on Monday morning, April 6, starting with the Redwood Road on-ramps to westbound I-80 and both directions of I-215 for roughly 30 days. The timing is set to tangle with spring-break travel across the Wasatch Front and could complicate access to Salt Lake City International Airport once later closures kick in.
According to UDOT, crews will stagger the closures so that not every ramp is shut down at once. Most individual closures are expected to last about 20 to 40 days, with construction activity continuing through the summer of 2027. The I-215 West Improved project calls for full roadway reconstruction, rehabilitation of dozens of bridges, and upgrades to roughly 14 miles of ramps. The agency has also posted a full schedule of expected interchange closures and suggested local detours.
Airport And Tooele Access Will Feel It In May
Early May is when the closures start to pinch airport and Tooele traffic. The ramp from southbound I-215 to westbound I-80, a key link for airport-bound drivers, is expected to shut down for about a month. The same month-long timeline applies to the eastbound I-80 to southbound I-215 ramps toward Tooele, as reported by FOX13. The outlet also details expected peak delay windows for coming travel days, including lengthy slowdowns on parts of I-15 and US-6 that could add tens of minutes to some trips.
Spring-Break Slowdowns Statewide
UDOT is warning drivers across Utah to plan for heavy travel and intermittent weekend closures during spring break. In its March 26 update, the agency advised extra travel time and alternate routes for many popular corridors. Officials say the I-215 work is just one piece of a larger 2026 construction program that will create rolling closures on several Wasatch Front routes.
Why UDOT Is Shutting Ramps Completely
Transportation officials say the full ramp closures are not just for convenience. Closing ramps entirely lets crews set up safer work zones for major bridge work and full ramp reconstruction, and it can move the overall schedule along faster than piecemeal night and weekend repairs. Industry reporting from Roads & Bridges notes that the overhaul includes extensive deck work and structural rehabilitation throughout the corridor.
How Drivers Can Cope
UDOT is urging local drivers to lean on SR-201 and Redwood Road as alternates during affected trips, especially once airport-focused ramps begin closing in early May. The agency recommends building in extra time for airport runs, signing up for project updates, and checking real-time conditions before heading out. The project’s public information line is 855-215-UDOT, and the email [email protected] offers weekly notices. Travelers should also keep an eye on traffic updates and 511 and be ready for slower-than-normal trips during the heaviest closure periods.
