LAYTON — The Draper construction firm of Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction has been selected to oversee construction of the new south Layton interchange.

In the meantime, Layton City Community & Economic Development director Bill Wright said right-of-way acquisitions, utilities relocations and other details are currently being worked out.

Construction is slated to start by the end of August, with a fast-track completion set to see the roadway open by Nov. 24, 2010 – just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. At least that’s what the contractor has promised, Wright said.

“The city will still have to spend a lot of time on the project” in working with the contractor and the Utah Department of Transportation, said Layton’s Long-range Planner Peter Matson.

That’s because of the city’s concerns that a lot of aesthetics be included, giving it a distinctive Layton feel, said Wright. “This will be a great project for Layton and for UDOT, and the traveling public.”

The actual interchange bid is for about two-thirds of the total project price of $97.5 million, Wright said.

Improvements to Main Street up to Church Street (about 200 North) are included in that total price, plus full construction of 750 South from Fort Lane to Flint Street (about 900 West), Wright explained.

“It’s going to be quite an entry feature to the south end, both the interchange and Main Street, as it comes through the downtown,” he said.

“We’re working hard to continue to have some parking on the curbside on the east side of Main,” for example, Wright said. “UDOT has been very cooperative in that regard. There are still some details to be worked out.”

Details also have yet to be completed on landscaping, but the look of a “new” interchange should be included, similar to the redos of the Hill Field and Antelope Drive interchanges, just up the road, the chief planner said.

As far as Main Street, he said “we will also embellish it with some ‘betterments,’” as they’re officially called. Those include improvements to street lighting, with some decorative light poles and fixtures.

“That will help set up a special feeling, and there will be some amenities, along with that streetscape. The lights and street trees probably will be the two biggest (features), and the pattern of the sidewalk. We’ll work that out in the details of the design.

“We’re going to make sure it’s easily identifiable that you’re in Layton when you get to that interchange,” Wright emphasized.

The interchange’s arrival will spell changes to some current landmarks, such as Sill’s Cafe.

“Sill’s will not be able to stay there. They’re in the process of negotiating with UDOT for the purchase of the property and whatever benefits to relocating,” Wright said. “They had a meeting with Ben (Hart, city economic development specialist) and gave us the impression they wanted to try and relocate and stay in business.”

The interchange has been a dream for some people, such as former Layton mayor Lewis G. “Glenn” Shields, who spoke of it at least 25 years ago. He served as mayor from 1970 to the end of 1984. “I’ve always thought that was a necessity for the south end of Layton.”

“I think when it’s all done, you’ll see a big improvement in the south end of Layton. It should show signs of real life,” he previously told the Clipper.

“Dreams do come true. You have to have a forward-looking vision that may take a number of years,” Wright said. “Now, it’s funded and we have a bid accepted. They (Wadsworth) will go to work quickly in the next few weeks.”