The Utah Department of Transportation announced what it is calling “BridgeFest” on social media June 15.

According to UDOT spokesperson Mitch Shaw, the department has over 60 bridge construction projects statewide this year.

Drivers passing through Salt Lake County should plan around construction on over 20 bridges, including bridges over I-80, Bangerter Highway, Redwood Road, SR-201, and SR-202.

According to UDOT News, 3200 West in Salt Lake is scheduled to be closed for approximately six months during construction.

The projects will extend the bridge’s life and put in new, smoother driving surfaces.

Shaw said because bridges are suspended, it is very important to keep them safe and in good shape, so there is a regular inspection process.

“Our philosophy is not only is it safer but taking care of our bridges with regular repairs and maintenance costs less,” said Shaw.

Shaw recommended using the UDOT traffic app or udottraffic.utah.gov to stay up to date on construction and plan around it.

There are several UDOT projects in Cache Valley this summer.

A few of the bigger projects in the valley include repaving Main Street in Smithfield and a major project on State Route 30 from 1000 W to SR-23.

The Smithfield project is set to begin July 8 and will go from 800 S to 400 N.

Shaw said it is a standard repaving project, removing the top layer of asphalt and putting down a new layer. He said this extends the road’s life and improves driving conditions.

“It goes back to our philosophy,” said Shaw. “Good roads cost less.”

He said the project is scheduled to finish early fall.

Shaw called the SR-30 project the biggest in the area, with construction starting in July and likely taking two or three years to finish.

“We’ve seen an increase in traffic on that road, especially big trucks,” said Shaw. “And it is one of the only major east to west roads in the valley, so it is an important connection.”

He said the project should address congestion by adding lanes to the road and widening the shoulders and will include some safety improvements.

Shaw said they are also adding a new recreational trail on the south side of the road and a new sidewalk on the other side.

UDOT has a specific input website for this project, udotinput.utah.gov/sr-30. Shaw said there will be regular updates on the page and a hotline people can call with concerns.

“Anyone who regularly uses that road should keep up to date on construction,” said Shaw. “I would recommend signing up for the email updates.”

Individual cities in the valley also have many utility and construction projects planned or underway.

Jesse Mott, a staff engineer for Cache County, said one of the bigger projects in the county is on 1000 N in Logan. The road has been closed for several weeks now as the road is widened.

Mott said while the street is torn up, the city is building a storm drain and including other utility improvements, before the road is repaved.

He said the 1000 N project will probably take the rest of the season, with some final landscaping and other details being finished next spring.

Executive Director Jeff Gilbert from the Cache Metropolitan Planning Organization said it is a race in Logan to finish construction before it gets too cold.

“It’s a painful time for everyone,” said Gilbert. “It seems like there’s construction everywhere, and we’re all frustrated by closures.”

Mott said the road work is inconvenient at times, but necessary.

“The benefits are worth it.”