UDOT began preparation for demolition Wednesday and said travelers can expect to see crews in the area in early and mid October preparing to demolish the bridge’s west side, a process that will start in late October.

The two-year project aims to replace the aging viaduct that serves as University Avenue between 930 S and 400 South, crossing 600 South and the railroad tracks and connecting south Provo to downtown Provo. University Avenue is also the starting point of U.S. Route 189, which goes through Heber, and up to Jackson, Wyoming.

“This bridge is a vital connection for both Provo residents and regional travelers,” UDOT Project Manager Andy Spencer said. “Because of how crucial this road is, the new design will focus on enhancing safety and mobility while creating a more comfortable experience for everyone who uses it.”

One traffic lane in each direction will remain open throughout the project, though UDOT is asking people to take alternative routes.

Drivers entering Provo on I-15 from the south via the University Avenue exit are advised to turn onto Lakeview Parkway and go northbound on State Street or use the Center Street exit. UDOT is asking truckers traveling between Heber Valley and southern Utah County to use the 800 North exit in Orem instead of the University Avenue exit in Provo.

“We do anticipate some bottlenecking, but if we don’t get too many people going through, it won’t be that bad,” UDOT spokesperson Wyatt Woolley said last month. “And we are aware of football games and everything else going on at BYU and all that other stuff in the city, and we also want to maintain people’s access to the businesses.”

UDOT said the bridge, built in 1966, has already been rehabilitated several times, including as recently as 2020, and is reaching the end of its 60-year lifespan.

The new bridge will be more structurally sound with a mechanically established earth wall on each side to enhance safety and enclose the viaduct and a 10-foot safety fence on the bridge over the railroad tracks.

It will also be more pedestrian-friendly with 8-foot-wide sidewalks and bike lanes in each direction, according to UDOT.

“It’s like a car,” Spencer said. “You can fix it and fix it. Then there’s a certain point where it’s maybe time to look at a new car. Very similar analogy, right? We’ve done all the repairs we can do, and now it’s time to renew it and start again for another 50 to 75 years.”

People are asked to monitor UDOT’s website and social media updates for further information.