For residents in south Layton who have enjoyed the services of Sill's Café and Allco Discount Auto Parts, the time to enjoy these long-time local businesses is now. In July, the Utah Department of Transportation will begin construction on a new interchange in Layton, which will force several local business owners off Main Street to make way for the upcoming construction.

Initially, funding for the proposed $64 million project came up short when UDOT announced 50 state road projects would be delayed due to funding shortages. Over $30 million was still needed, but funding has been arranged since March, and UDOT is currently working on design and construction bids for the project.

"About $97 million has been appropriated thus far," said Vic Saunders, a UDOT spokesman. "We have three contractors who have made their presentations to us, so that process is still underway."

The interchange calls for the closure of the existing northbound exit on I-15 in southern Layton, where currently motorists can only enter the freeway heading south on Main Street. The two-year project is expected to build a 30-foot high overpass with a full interchange along with construction on 750 South from Flint Street on the west side of I-15 to Fort Lane on the east side, along with the eventual widening of Main Street.

City and state developers initially planned on building the interchange after analyzing a study from the U.S. Census Bureau that discovered rapid population and traffic growth in this area of Layton during the past few years. Completion isn't expected until around fall 2011, and is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on Main Street and the I-15 interchanges at Antelope Drive and Hill Field Road as well.

Prior to the beginning of any construction, UDOT plans to make offers to businesses such as Sills in order to make way for the interchange. Sills first opened its doors back in 1957.

"Each of those businesses has received a first appraisal," Saunders said. "However, they are entitled to a second appraisal if they wish."

Sill's owner John Sill said UDOT sent appraisers, but he still hasn't heard anything back in almost two months.

"Before we opened up, the property has been in the family for almost 150 years," Sill said, "and I just hope they are going to be fair to me as far as compensation goes."

Sill also said it will be interesting to see how other businesses such as Allco make it out of the ordeal.

"It's not really a question for me," Sill said. "When they do this, I will go out of business … the overpass will go right through us, so we will be done. But other people will probably lose a lot of customers if they end up relocating."

Saunders said the processes for projects like these are always tough.

"We never relish these things," Saunders said. "It's hard for everybody involved. We just ask for patience from the local businesses and this should end up being great for the taxpayers and putting people to work."

A public open house and a meet the contractor's session will also be held this summer before construction begins in order to address any further questions and concerns from Layton residents.