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UDOT updates Payson on $95 million I‑15 interchange project, right‑of‑way work and railroad realignment
Summary
Eric Rasband of the Utah Department of Transportation presented project scope, $95 million funding, railroad realignment and early design milestones for the new I‑15 interchange north of Payson Main Street, and said right‑of‑way acquisition will be a critical path item.
Eric Rasband, a project representative with the Utah Department of Transportation, briefed the Payson City Council on the I‑15 interchange project scheduled north of Payson Main Street. Rasband said the project currently has roughly $95 million identified for design, right‑of‑way and construction and will include a structure over the Union Pacific rail line and realignment to accommodate a future FrontRunner station.
Rasband said the project’s purpose is to address growing traffic and safety deficiencies and to make the corridor forward compatible with FrontRunner and regional planning. He described the concept cross section that will be built in an initial funding package and said a later phase in the regional plan (programmed between 2033 and 2042 under current MAG programming) would add additional lanes and modify the drainage and pedestrian facilities.
He highlighted groundwater and drainage as major technical issues: "Groundwater is about a foot below current soil," Rasband said, and added that onsite retention ponds may be required, which would require additional property acquisition. Rasband said the team meets frequently with city staff and that a geometry package for a 30% design review would be distributed soon; that review will start the schedule for right‑of‑way contact and acquisition. He noted a two‑year moratorium applies after construction on opening cuts to new utilities in the paved roadway.
On property impacts Rasband said UDOT uses appraisals to determine fair market value, will work to find comparable replacement housing when necessary, and tries to avoid eminent‑domain takings but will use the authority if negotiations fail. He said the project has legislative earmarks that require the state to move forward.
Next milestones Rasband listed include a public open house in the fall, early grading in the following year and major construction in 2027–28. He said monthly updates to the council are appropriate and planned.
Ending: City staff and UDOT will continue coordination; UDOT urged property owners to participate in right‑of‑way discussions when formal outreach begins.
