Traversing the central and southwestern portions of Utah, Interstate 15 (I-15) is the state's primary north-south transportation corridor, stretching 400 miles from the Idaho border at the north to the Arizona border near the city of St. George. Passing through nearly all of Utah's population centers, I-15 is a heavily used route, functioning as a major commuter, visitor, and commercial traffic artery.
Located in Utah approximately 16 miles north of Salt Lake City, Farmington sits between the base of the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake, in a metropolitan region known as the “Wasatch Front.” The county seat of Davis County, Farmington is a thriving suburban city, handling high volumes of commuter traffic and providing vital access to major regional attractions.
The rapid growth of Farmington, spurred in part by the massive North Station Business Park development and the popular Station Park retail center, has generated rising traffic levels and increased congestion along the I-15 corridor. Its average annual daily traffic was 163,000 vehicles as of 2024. Currently nearing completion is an extensive Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) project designed to reduce congestion, increase access to the interstate, and improve safety — while at the same time improving bicycle and pedestrian connectivity to the area.
The $151 million I-15 Shepard Lane Interchange Project, which began construction in the spring of 2024 and is on track for completion in the winter of 2026, is creating a new bridge and a new interchange at the junction of the interstate and a prominent local east-west roadway. The bridge and interchange will connect local roads across Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and Utah Transit Authority (UTA) tracks. In addition to revamping the layout of the interchange, the project includes roadway expansions, noise abatement measures, and several multi-modal improvements.
The project's primary components include:
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- A new diamond interchange on I-15 at Shepard Lane. The old layout did not feature a full interchange with I-15. Instead, it was a two-lane local overpass, which carried only east-west surface street traffic over the interstate without allowing drivers to get on or off the freeway.
- Removal of the existing Shepard Lane overpass bridge at I-15 and the construction of the new North Station Lane bridge. Shepard Lane is now also referred to as North Station Lane.
- A new noise wall on the east side of I-15 between Shepard Lane and Park Lane.
- A direct connection from 1500 West to the Shepard Lane interchange.
- Construction of a new roadway between Innovator Drive and 1500 West.
- Construction of new shared-use facilities at Shepard Lane and Park Lane.
- New northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes between Shepard Lane and Park Lane.
“By alleviating congestion and improving access and safety, the new interchange will help connect communities and improve the quality of life,” said Mitch Shaw, UDOT Region 1 Senior Communications Manager. “The enhancements in this project will benefit all modes of transportation. Multi-modal improvements include the construction of a 10-foot shared-use trail on the north side of Shepard Lane and updated sidewalks on the south side. Park Lane multi-modal improvements include a new multi-modal path, with a pedestrian bridge crossing directly over I-15, connecting FrontRunner facilities on the west side of I-15 to Park Lane east of U.S. 89.”
The FrontRunner is an 83-mile commuter rail system operated by the Utah Transit Authority. It connects major cities within the Wasatch Front region. The line runs north-to-south from Ogden to Provo, Utah, and passes through the heart of Salt Lake City.
The general contractor for the design-build project is Wadsworth Brothers Construction Company Inc., based in Draper, Utah. Shaw said that the project is funded through state and local funds administered by UDOT.
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The biggest project milestone to date was the opening of the new, wider North Station Lane Bridge in November 2025, replacing the old Shepard Lane Bridge that was demolished in the spring.
“People in Farmington had waited a long time to get this connection back,” Shaw said. “Reopening this bridge has given families, businesses, and neighborhoods a more reliable way to get around.”
The new bridge is a precast concrete girder bridge with a diamond interchange configuration. It spans I-15 and features a 10-foot-wide shared-use trail, new sidewalks, and a separate pedestrian bridge over nearby railroad tracks. Initially, one lane in each direction was opened to traffic. Work on signals, striping, and signage is continuing this year.
Shaw said that much of the current construction involves work on the new pedestrian bridges at Park Lane. Continuing into the fall will be work on the I-15 on- and off-ramps.
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“Due to the nature of the bridge work we've been doing, we've had several full closures of I-15, along with a handful of partial closures,” he said. “We've been able to conduct this work overnight to limit impacts during peak commute times.”
According to Shaw, the earthwork on the I-15 Shepard Lane Interchange Project incorporates more than 30,000 cubic yards of excavation. He outlined the use of various materials on the project components:
- Structural steel and precast concrete are being used to construct the wider vehicular bridge and the pedestrian overpass crossing I-15, the UPRR, and UTA rail lines.
- Asphalt and concrete are being applied extensively to pave new highway auxiliary lanes, on- and off-ramps, and local connecting roads.
- Earthwork materials (fill, base, and gravel) are being used to regrade the interchange intersections and create the foundation for the 10-foot-wide shared-use trail.
- Precast concrete panels and specialized sound-absorbing materials are being installed for the new noise walls along the east side of I-15 between Shepard Lane and Park Lane.
- Concrete and PVC piping are being incorporated into upgraded storm drainage infrastructure and drainage systems.
Shaw pointed out that crews are working within a very constrained area where I-15, U.S. 89, Legacy Parkway, and a railroad line converge or overlap, requiring multiple overnight closures to safely maneuver bridge components through one of northern Utah's most complex transportation corridors.
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“Because the new Shepard Lane interchange crosses over busy Union Pacific Railroad and Utah Transit Authority tracks, as well as I-15, crews must safely maneuver large heavy bridge components using precise overnight installations,” Shaw said.
He explained that by using the Accelerated Bridge Construction and Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems delivery method, building bridge components off site and maneuvering them into place during overnight closures, UDOT minimizes major travel disruptions.
“The core of the project's efficiency is building new overpass segments, like the new North Station Lane bridge, off site and shifting them rapidly into place,” Shaw said. “This drastically reduces freeway closures compared to traditional cast-in-place construction.”
The I-15 Shepard Lane Interchange Project is poised to greatly enhance mobility and connectivity through the growing Farmington area — for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Reduced traffic congestion will be realized with the new diamond interchange, alleviating pressure on surrounding local roads and improving traffic flow with direct connections to I-15, U.S. 89, and Legacy Parkway. The overpass crossing busy rail lines means better east-west connectivity, creating a smoother and more reliable route.
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The project promotes active transportation by adding new sidewalks and a 10-foot-wide shared-use trail along Shepard Lane, as well as a dedicated pedestrian bridge, improving pedestrian and bicycle access. Multi-modal transit integration, connecting walking and biking paths directly to the FrontRunner facilities and Park Lane, will give residents more ways to travel.
- Owner: Utah Department of Transportation
- General Contractor: Wadsworth Brothers Construction Company Inc., Draper, Utah Photos courtesy of Wadsworth Brothers Construction Company Inc.
