UDOT briefed Riverdale council on 5600 South project; Freeway Park Drive paving and temporary traffic changes planned

A Utah Department of Transportation representative updated the Riverdale City Council on April 15 about progress on the 5600 South reconstruction and related work at Freeway Park Drive.

Elmer Acevedo, who identified himself as part of UDOT communications for the project, said the overall UDOT project is on schedule for a 2026 finish and that the current spring work focuses on paving. He described an upcoming temporary configuration on the 5600 off-ramps — a short-duration U-turn arrangement scheduled to begin around June and expected to last about three months — designed to allow crews to complete median work and tie-ins. Acevedo said the configuration is temporary and UDOT will release driver guidance materials, including videos, to show how to navigate the new intersection loop.

Why it matters

The reconfiguration is intended to improve traffic flow and safety near the base and business access along 5600 South by eliminating certain left‑turn conflicts at the existing five‑point intersection. Freeway Park Drive's newly paved sections will be moved into service when striping is complete and the project will later receive a final asphalt overlay when weather allows.

Key details from UDOT presentation

- Project schedule: overall project slated to finish in 2026; UDOT seeks "beneficial occupancy" (substantial completion where traffic can use new pavement while final work occurs adjacent) this summer. - Freeway Park Drive: crews paved the base layer and will perform an inch-and-a-half overlay later in the summer when continuous paving is available; driveways and business tie-ins were being completed during the meeting week. - Temporary traffic configuration: a 3-month "through-U"/U-turn arrangement on 5600 off-ramps is planned for roughly June; it will prohibit certain left turns from ramp exits and route drivers through a looped structure to access Freeway Park Drive and 5600 South. Acevedo said the configuration will reduce left-turn conflicts. - Local impacts: UDOT indicated the temporary configuration should not disrupt access to the businesses served by Freeway Park Drive once the new pavement and striping are in place; the project team will release instructional materials and monitor operations.

Council questions and staff responses

Councilors asked for confirmation that the U-turn configuration is temporary; UDOT confirmed the three-month timeline as the expectation and said UDOT will inform the city and public. Council members also asked where the temporary barrier and new loop would be placed; Acevedo referenced a cast-in-place barrier and the loop structure near the Missile Way intersection that will provide the two-way access over the structure.

Next steps

UDOT will publish guidance for drivers and complete paving and striping as weather permits. The projected beneficial occupancy this summer will allow traffic to use completed lanes while final work continues. Council staff flagged the need to communicate clearly to local residents that the configuration is temporary to reduce confusion.

Ending note

Council members welcomed the update and expressed interest in clear public outreach once temporary traffic patterns are scheduled to begin.