|
Feds greenlight I-15 expansion in Utah County -- The federal government has given its blessing to the most expensive road project in Utah history.
The U.S. secretary of Transportation has signed a "record of decision," which is the final approval of the environmental review of Interstate 15 reconstruction through Utah County. State officials are now allowed to begin right-of-way acquisition, design and construction. "Now we really have a project," said Nile Easton, spokesman for the Utah Department of Transportation. "We're on target for spring of 2010. That's when construction will begin." For $2.6 billion, the residents of Utah will get several things: • The project will widen I-15 by two lanes in each direction between American Fork and Spanish Fork, a 50- to 66-percent increase in capacity. • Many of the interchanges will be rebuilt or reconfigured, as will many bridges. Some of them aren't up to height standards, the result being that they're occasionally clipped by semitrailers. • Utahns may not know that the project has broader implications. It is part of an 840-mile route connecting San Diego to Salt Lake City that was chosen last year as one of six "Corridors of the Future" by the U.S. Department of Transportation. 19th Annual Timpanogos Storytelling Festival -- An Orem autumn tradition, the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival begins today and runs through Saturday at Mt. Timpanogos Park in Provo Canyon. For years the festival has enthralled audiences that numbered over 25,000 last summer. Thursday workshops are held at the Orem Public Library and "My Favorite Stories" and "Laughin' Night" are held at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theater. For tickets, schedules and information go online to www.timpfest.org, by phone at 229-7436, in person at the Orem Public Library, 58 N. State Street in Orem, or at the festival. City Council proclaims September "The Big Read Month" in Orem -- A proclamation designating September as "The Big Read Month" was approved by the Orem City Council Aug. 26. Orem is one of 117 communities in the nation chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts to participate in "The Big Read" program, where the entire community focuses on reading literature together. The book selection for Orem is Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird." Special events such as lectures and book discussions are planned in conjunction with The Big Read. Free copies of the book are available at the Orem Library's general reference or fiction desks. One copy per household is recommended in order to allow as many people to participate in the program as possible. "Let's have a hand for all of us who are going to read together," said Mayor Jerry Washburn to applause after the proclamation vote. UDOT issues walking and biking safety tips for back-to-school --With high fuel costs and school districts cutting back on bus service, it is anticipated more students will be walking and biking to school this fall. UDOT, through its Student Neighborhood Access Program, issued walking and biking safety tips for Utah's students today, encouraging children to get in the habit of safely walking and biking to school. SNAP Safe Walking and Biking Tips • Walk on the sidewalk. If you have to walk on the road, walk facing traffic. • When crossing a street at a crosswalk, look left, then right, then left again before stepping into the road. Walk across the street and keep looking for cars while you are crossing. • Learn basic traffic rules, signs, signals and markings. • Always wear a helmet when riding a bike. Make sure the helmet has a safety certification and that it fits properly. • Wear bright clothing, especially when you ride bicycles, to make it easier for traffic to see you - or tie a bright handkerchief around your backpack. • Never walk or ride with headphones. They are distracting and keep you from hearing the traffic. For more information about SNAP and Safe Routes to School, visit www.udot.utah.gov/SNAP. Early deadline -- Because of the Labor Day holiday, the North County Newspapers will have an early deadline for celebrations, including weddings, missionaries, birthdays, anniversaries, and Scouts. They are due Friday at 2 p.m. to appear in the Sept. 4 edition. The deadline for public notices remains at 10 a.m. Tuesday and for obituaries it is 11 a.m. Tuesday. Classified ads are due at 3 p.m. Tuesday. The North County Newspaper offices are at 399 E. State, Pleasant Grove and may be reached at 756-7669. |
