Salt Lake City spending nearly $60M on capital improvements including bridge replacement, green space development

Salt Lake City has budgeted nearly $60 million on projects including improving public spaces, repairing roads and reconstructing a bridge. 

The city’s $58.1 million Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2025 includes a proposed linear park network and making needed repairs at Memory Grove Park, which features memorials to Utah’s veterans and a replica of the Liberty Bell. 

Salt Lake City’s fiscal year runs from July 1-June 30. 

The plan is part of a nearly $2 billion city budget approved by the Salt Lake City Council. 

Capital Improvement Program projects are required to have a service life of five years or more and cost at least $50,000. They are generally completed within three years, the city says. 

The city’s breakdown for fiscal year 2025 includes approximately $15 million in capital maintenance, $13.7 million in transportation maintenance, $3.5 million on street safety and traffic calming, $3.5 million in historic preservation and renovation, and $1.2 million on sidewalk improvements. 

High-profile projects include: 

• $4.5 million for general street reconstruction, an annual program that funds reconstruction of deteriorated city streets, including street pavement, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, drainage improvements, and bicycle and pedestrian access improvements. 

• $4 million to reconstruct the 400 South viaduct bridge over the Jordan River.  

• $3.1 million to implement the Green Loop, a proposed pedestrian-friendly downtown loop featuring green space, shade and active transportation. The Green Loop project aims to improve the quality of life for people living, working, and traveling downtown by adapting the existing street space to include more trees, shade, and comfortable options for various transportation choices, the city said. 

• $1.9 million to make repairs at Memory Grove Park, including developing a preservation plan for the park and Freedom Trail 

• $1.5 million to replace one playground or partially reconstruct or resurface at least one court as well as planning and designing a playground at Curtis Park. 

• $1.3 million to upgrade the HVAC control panel at the city’s public safety building. 

Photo by Thomas Konings on Unsplash