CEDAR CITY – Construction on a project intended to decrease congestion around Interstate 15’s exit 57 could begin as soon as this summer, said City Engineer Kit Wareham after the Jan. 13 city council meeting.

At the meeting, the council unanimously approved funding for a modification to the project that will add a second lane to the southbound off-ramp in order to decrease traffic.

The bulk of the project involves constructing another lane off Main Street to allow southbound traffic to bypass the traffic light near the Providence area intersection – a place where congestion often builds.

In addition, the city will purchase the right of way to land around the interchange.

“I’m feeling pretty confident we’ve got enough money for this project,” said Wareham, asking the council to approve an additional $42 000 for the off-ramp modification.

The current estimate for the project – $866 000 – is under the $1 072 000 approved for the federally-funded improvements.

Mayor Joe Burgess, along with several members of council, expressed approval that the project was under the budgeted cost.

“This is one of the busier intersections in town, and the project should considerably decrease congestion there,” Burgess said after the meeting.

The current lane addition project is part of a much larger, ongoing plan to restructure the entire interchange for greater efficiency. Wareham said the “South Interchange Modification Project” has been “a priority for the city for as long as (the 15 years) I’ve been here.”

The city recently purchased the main portion of land needed for the project’s right-of-way, and hopes that the plan they’ve approved, described by Wareham as a temporary fix, will both improve traffic in the short run and encourage the state to appropriate the funds the city needs for the complete renovation in the long run.

The council also discussed a request by Brian Head to expand Cedar Area Transportation Services to the town and resort.

Cedar City Public Works Director Rick Holman introduced the request to the council, explaining that Brian Head is seeking to expand its current public transportation service through the Utah Department of Transportation. By connecting with Cedar City’s CATS system, Brian Head could take advantage of Cedar City’s federal funding for rural transportation – at no additional operating cost to Cedar City aside from the $2,000 Brian Head is asking it to contribute to a feasibility study.

Holman suggested that benefits to Cedar City could include transportation for local residents who commute to Brian Head. Councilor Nina Barnes added that the expanded service could encourage tourists and skiers to stay in Cedar City hotels by providing transportation services to Brian Head.

The service could also benefit those residents with mobility challenges by enabling them to “get out of town” for the day, added Councilor Georgia Beth Thompson.

Councilor Dale Brinkerhoff raised concerns about increased liability and whether the benefit to Cedar City would outweigh the cost of the feasibility study.

During the public comment section, resident Paul White challenged city councilors to “take the Polar Plunge” along with city staff and area law enforcement officers at the Leigh Hill Reservoir Jan. 30. The public, too, is invited to “take the plunge” at the Special Olympics fundraiser.