Frequently Asked Questions

The MVC team will use a phased construction approach designed to balance transportation needs with available funds. Initial construction includes building two outside lanes in each direction with signalized intersections where future interchanges will be located. Building the outside lanes first preserves the land in the middle where future lanes can be added. Future construction will build out the remainder of the corridor, including a transit solution and enhancement of the initial construction by converting intersections to interchanges and adding inside lanes to achieve a fully functional freeway.

Although the initial phase of the MVC will include stoplights like Bangerter Highway, the MVC will evolve into a free-flowing freeway as improvements are made in subsequent construction phases. Bangerter Highway, with intersection widths at approximately 150 feet, was never intended to be converted to a freeway system with interchanges. The MVC approach of building outside lanes first ensures that the project will eventually be converted to a freeway.

Initial construction of MVC in Salt Lake County builds two lanes in each direction with signalized intersections. The initial 15-mile segment will preserve the land between the roadways. Future construction will complete the full freeway build-out by adding inside lanes and converting intersections to interchanges with on and off ramps.

The Utah Transit Authority’s preferred transit alternative is on 5600 West in Salt Lake County with a dedicated center-running right-of-way. Transit vehicles will operate alone in their own lanes in the center of the roadway and street traffic will use general-purpose lanes adjacent to the transit. The vehicle type indentified is Bus Rapid Transit that could evolve into a rail system in the future.

Frontage roads will be constructed in two areas along the MVC: between Porter Rockwell Boulevard and Old Bingham Highway in Salt Lake County and on 2100 North in Utah County. The frontage roads were limited to these two areas due to right-of-way constraints, impacts to existing infrastructure and compatibility with existing street networks.

The initial segment of MVC on 2100 North is a frontage road system that consists of two lanes in each direction with signalized intersections. Future construction will expand the corridor over time by adding more lanes when needed to meet traffic demands and as funding is available. This phased approach is part of the overall MVC plan to address short-term regional transportation needs while providing a long-term solution for the future. The full freeway build-out is not currently funded and would require additional environmental study in order to be constructed.

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