In the next few weeks, 800 North in Orem will undergo the beginning stages of a major $49 million transformation that will ultimately widen the congested regional thoroughfare to three lanes of traffic in each direction.

Growth, increased traffic and safety concerns on the main arterial route prompted the Utah Department of Transportation to conduct an environmental study in 2002 that led to the road redesign, said Geoff Dupaix, a UDOT spokesman.

The massive construction project set to begin next month will also require dozens of businesses and residences on the north side of 800 North/State Route 52 between 400 West and 1000 East to pick up and move.

Dupaix said the department is buying 67 homes and businesses adjacent to the project site.

"When you widen that out, you need additional property to do so," he said.

UDOT is determining fair market value for the properties through independent appraisals and negotiating purchase contracts with each property owner, Dupaix said. Though Utah's transportation department can exercise eminent domain to purchase private properties without the owner's consent for projects including the 800 North redesign, Dupaix said the power has not been used for this project.

"I am not aware of any scenario with any property owner that requires the department to use eminent domain," he said. "That is very, very, very rare ... and only used as a last resort."

However, making space for the road means Orem community fixtures -- such as Dairy Queen at the corner of 800 North and State Street -- could disappear forever.

Within the next three weeks, contractors will begin demolition work and removal of homes and businesses on the north edge of 800 North in preparation for crews moving underground utilities this fall. Preliminary construction will start this winter with the bulk of 800 North reconstruction coming next spring.

Dupaix said he's not aware of any travel restrictions to motorists during the demolition work.

Irene Huber, co-owner in a partnership of the Orem Dairy Queen, said they've known for several years about the reconstruction project and UDOT's interest in acquiring their property. Though the business's owners haven't signed a contract or closed on the sale of the property yet, they are preparing employees for what seems to be an inevitability.

"It's very difficult," Huber said. "We have an emotional tie to the business and the customers. ... As word is getting out it's really tough."

Though the store's owners haven't officially posted a closing notice, Huber said several customers have asked about its closing. Huber and her husband Jim took over as general partners of the Orem Dairy Queen in 1990 and transformed it into a successful franchise. Yet she is not opposed to making 800 North safer for motorists.

"I have seen some terrible accidents at that intersection," she said. "They need to do something. ... We really understand the need and we have no hard feelings toward UDOT. ... I just wish it was to the south side instead."

Huber and her husband haven't made a decision on the future of their Dairy Queen franchise and if it will remain in Orem at a new location.

The 800 North widening project, which will take two years to complete, is actually phase two of the project. A 2005 undertaking that realigned 1200 West approximately 400-500 feet to the east was the first part. Though there will be lane closures during 800 North reconstruction, Dupaix said UDOT will maintain two open lanes in each direction at all times during roadwork. When finished, 800 North will have three lanes in each direction and a raised median with no center turn lane. Left-turn access will be limited to select intersections and business access points.

"This project will make 800 North much safer to travel on with a wider shoulder similar to University Parkway," Dupaix said.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.