TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Utah's first flex lane was turned on Wednesday. If you've driven on 5400 South from Bangerter Highway to 1900- West in Taylorsville you've seen the flex lane lights.
The days of trusting the road to always be the same are over on this stretch in Taylorsville. "Never been done before in the history of the state. What do you think about this?" asked ABC 4's Noah Bond. "I think technology is advancing," said driver, Abel Lebaron.
Other drivers are not so optimistic. "I think it's confusing because I have to pull into my driveway," said Cherie Fedler from Taylorsville. She lives off this flex lane road.
The traffic flow can be different each day she pulls out.
Drivers must look up or they could be driving the wrong way down the street. A green arrow mean go. A red X means avoid this lane and the turning arrow signals a turning lane.
"It's going to make traffic easier less traffic jams," said Lebaron.
Utah's Department of Transportation installed the flex lane to avoid widening this road, which would have cost much more than the $5 million price tag. The project is saving money, but it may take awhile for drivers to get used to the change.
"I see a number of cars where they make that left turn and they turn into the center lane before they go over where they end up in the wrong lane," said Michael Bowen.
UDOT spokesperson Adan Carrillo tells me the state is looking at placing flex lanes in other portions of the State although at this point there are not specifics.
