SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 23, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Department of Transportation is urging Wasatch Front drivers to plan ahead for delays of up to 90 minutes on I-15 during the afternoon and evening Thursday and Friday for Memorial Day weekend.
Traffic is expected to begin building as early as noon on both days, so holiday travelers are advised to rethink their trip by leaving early in the day or later in the evening, UDOT said in a news release Wednesday.
UDOT engineers expect increased holiday traffic from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with heaviest delays during the evening commute. On Monday, returning travelers are expected to create heavy traffic from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. along I-15 south of the Wasatch Front.
Across the state, most UDOT projects will suspend construction and open all lanes to traffic to help reduce delays during Memorial Day weekend Friday through Monday. However, existing lane restrictions or traffic shifts will remain in place where needed to protect the work zone and ensure safety. Some areas where drivers should expect restrictions include:
- I-15 Technology Corridor: In Lehi, lanes are shifted on I-15, and the speed limit is reduced to 60 miles per hour in the construction zone from SR-92 to Main Street. Drivers should be alert when driving through the work zone and anticipate areas of rough or uneven pavement.
- I-70 from the I-15 junction to U.S. 89 in Sevier County: I-70 is reduced to one lane in several locations between the I-15 interchange and U.S. 89. Due to slow-moving trucks and recreational vehicles, drivers should plan for 30-minute delays through the construction zone.
Following the holiday weekend, two additional projects will affect Wasatch Front drivers:
- Starting Tuesday, May 29, Bangerter Highway will be reduced to two lanes in each direction, 24 hours a day, from 9000 South to 7800 South in West Jordan. These lane closures continue through July, as crews work to construct a new freeway-style interchange at Bangerter Highway and 9000 South.
- On Wednesday, May 30, I-80 will be reduced to one lane in each direction near the S.R. 201 junction in Tooele County for one week. Drivers should expect delays during the morning and evening commute, and use SR-201 as an alternate route. Crews are completing pavement repairs as part of a project to replace several bridges on I-80 and SR-36.
For the latest information on traffic restrictions during construction, visit the UDOT Traffic website or download the UDOT Traffic app for iPhone or Android. Drivers can also follow UDOT on social media including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
