State officials conducted the ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of the new Utah State Correctional Facility.

The Department of Corrections reached a historic milestone Aug. 16 as state officials conducted the ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of the new Utah State Correctional Facility.

The groundbreaking event marked both a celebration of the collaborative effort of government and private organizations to build a new facility, as well as a milestone for paving the way for the future of corrections in the state of Utah.

“This is more than building a building,” said Gov. Gary R. Herbert in his remarks. “This is about restoring lives.”

The facility, located off I-80/7200 West in Salt Lake City, is designed to foster safer and more efficient operations for the incarceration of state inmates. Additionally, it will play an important role in improving public safety for the entire state.

“The future of corrections is all about providing treatment, education, programs and job training we know are proven to help prepare people for successful and safe return to our communities,” said Rollin Cook, UDC executive director.

The ceremony included remarks from Gov. Herbert; Executive Director Cook; Executive Director of the Department of Administrative Services Tani Downing; State Rep. Brad Wilson; Director of the Division of Facilities and Construction Management Jim Russell; and Director of Salt Lake County Regional Development Carlton Christensen.

Following remarks, representatives from the Governor's office, state agencies, BDK Joint Venture, and Layton-Okland construction joined shovel lines to mark the ceremonial start of construction.

Onsite infrastructure and transportation construction started in January 2017.

The facility is slated for completion in late 2020 with inmates moving from the Utah State Prison in Draper in 2021. You can follow the project's progress at newutahstateprison.utah.gov.

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