Two I-15 interchanges in Layton beautified
With federal transportation enhancement funds, the project began last summer and should be completed by the middle of December.
Andy Neff, UDOT spokesman, said $700,000 is being spent on the Hill Field Road-I-15 interchange and another $700,000 on the Antelope Drive interchange.
"It's really been a joint project," Neff said. Layton City Parks and Recreation Department has provided a lot of input for the beautification work. "The goal of the project is to improve the aesthetics at both interchanges."
This includes decorative boulder walls, drought-resistent trees and shrubs and native wildflowers and grasses.
An irrigation system has also been installed at both locations, and Neff said that the city of Layton will take over long-term maintenance of both areas. The city not only decided how the beautification projects will look but was selective about the choice of plants to ensure that not a tremendous amount of upkeep will be required to maintain them.
Neff also said the projects are more than simply appearance. The existing water-retention basins have also been tied into the work, and so the projects have functional aspects as well.
The Hill Field Road interchange is a main access to Layton Hills Mall, Hill Air Force Base and the city's busy "restaurant row." The Antelope Drive interchange is an alternate access for those areas, as well as a main thoroughfare to both Syracuse and Antelope Island.
Layton already has a flower garden adjacent to the Hill Field-I-15 project, located at Main Street and Hill Field Road.
Neff said that as more federal enhancement funds become available, other north Davis County cities may benefit from similar work at interchanges. He said Kaysville officials, in particular, would like to have a similar beautification project at 200 North.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com
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