SR-55 work to begin July 10

By Rick Sherman
Sun Advocate Reporter

Getting around Price will be a bit more difficult and a little slower this summer because of a road project through town. A project to chip seal State Route 55, also known as the Price Business Loop was originally scheduled to begin this week, but was postponed because of the Cal Ripken baseball tournament. Work will get underway July 10 and continue through the end of August. Speeds may be reduced for a few weeks to prevent damage.
SR-55 runs from the West Price interchange eastward along 100 North to 300 East, and then south one block to Main Street before continuing eastward and then turning southward to the East Price interchange.
UDOT Region Four Communications Manager Kevin Kitchen said the chip seal will take place throughout the first week, and the contractor will later apply a “flush” coat which will give the road a new appearance. Sign installation and pavement markings should be completed by August 26.
Kitchen said heavy equipment will be the most prevalent during the initial leveling and chipping phase which will last approximately one week. The contractor is required to maintain one lane of travel in each direction during working hours with the exception of 100 North between Price River Drive and 200 West, where eastbound and westbound traffic will be alternated using a single lane. Waits at flagging stations are not to exceed 15 minutes.
According to UDOT regulations, accesses are to remain open with the following exceptions:
A business access may be closed up to one hour per day during business hours and up to one hour per day outside of business hours.
Residential accesses can be closed for up to one hour per day at any time of the day.
A city or side street may be closed up to one hour per day any time of day.
All access and street closures must be coordinated ahead of time with local businesses, residents or city officials.
Kitchen said the project is valued at $620,000 and has been awarded to Geneva Rock Products. The contractor bid 53 days to completion, which typically includes a 30-day period where the road cures before final paint striping is applied, and so the actual traffic impacts should be just a few weeks.