For decades Lehi Main Street has been a major corridor that connected Interstate 15 with rural communities west of the Interstate. As population has dramatically grown in the many rural towns and cities serviced by Lehi Main Street, new high occupancy corridors have been built to help alleviate significant traffic concerns. These new roads have successfully lowered traffic on Lehi Main Street but businesses along the historic route have also seen a decline in interest. In order to help maintain this important business district and to preserve the rural feel of historic downtown Lehi, the city initiated a beautification project of its Main Street.
The intent of this beautification was to create a more pedestrian friendly feel to Main Street and Lehi’s downtown. This was accomplished by constructing new sidewalks and roadway medians with concrete pavers. Concrete masonry units were used to build planter sitting walls and caps separating walkways and new curbside parking.
The construction of sidewalks included 15,422 sq. ft. of 60 mm thick Tuscany pavers. This 4 piece paver system utilizes paver dimensions of 11 ½ x 11 ½, 5 ½ x 5 ½, and 5 ½ x 11 ½ laid in a random pattern. The pavers are manufactured with the look of sawed square edges and split slate finish on top. A blend of charcoal, buckskin, and rust colored pavers where used to create a rich pattern. The Medians in the roadway included 4,830 sq. ft. of 80 mm thick Tuscany pavers. These pavers were produced in a custom red color.
Planter sitting walls were constructed with 3,100 Pyzique, 9x4x11 retaining wall block. Buckskin colored block were selected and had approximately 10% Artstone brown colored block randomly placed as accents in the walls. The caps for planter sitting walls were custom manufactured for this project. They are 14 ¾ x 11 ¾ x 2 ¾ thick and are charcoal, buckskin, and rust colored. The caps have a honed finish which is achieved with the use of a diamond cutting head that removes approximate a 1/8 inch from the surface leaving a very smooth finish.
Lehi Main Street is an impressive example of how renovating with sustainable and durable concrete pavers and masonry units can revitalize an existing space.
