Layton property owners decry road plan

LAYTON (Deseret News) — Some property owners in Layton are crying foul over Utah Department of Transportation plans to widen Main Street and eliminate most of the parking in front of their businesses.

City leaders say they see the benefits to an improved freeway interchange on the south end of Layton. Currently, the only way onto the freeway in that area is by heading south, and the only offramp is for northbound traffic.

UDOT plans to break ground on Tuesday at noon and to have an open house Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Layton Elementary for those who will be affected by the construction to meet the contractor.

Beginning Wednesday, the bridge over Main Street, at about milepost 330, will be permanently closed to make way for demolition to begin Saturday, according to UDOT.

As part of the $97 million construction project, UDOT plans to create a full interchange, create a new section of 750 South from Fort Lane to Flint Street and widen Main Street to three lanes in each direction.

The changes will require the removal of a handful of businesses, which are in the process of looking for property where they can relocate.

The remaining business and property owners are worried they will lose business because the plan to widen Main Street will eliminate some of the parking that is critical to get customers in their doors.

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