UPDATE: Traffic is now backed up for 10 miles in the Virgin River Gorge. Travelers should plan on adding at least 2 hours to their travel plans to get through the Gorge, AHP Sgt. John T. Bottoms said at 5:35 p.m.
VIRGIN RIVER GORGE – Traffic on southbound Interstate 15 is backing up in the Virgin River Gorge, the Arizona Highway Patrol reported Sunday afternoon.
Around 3:30 p.m., AHP Sgt. John Bottoms reported that southbound traffic is backed up for 5 miles and growing in the Virgin River Gorge.
Expect longer than normal delays because of holiday traffic, Bottoms said.
The Arizona Department of Transportation issued a traffic advisory last week warning of heavy holiday traffic through the gorge that would be slowed by construction being done on a series of bridges along the way.
Travel in bridge construction zones is restricted to a single lane and slower rates of travel and delays are to be expected.
Alternate route
Individuals seeking to avoid the heavy traffic in the Virgin River Gorge may take Highway 91 as an alternate route. The highway bypasses the Gorge entirely, intersecting with I-15 at Littlefield, Arizona, to the south, and connecting to the City of Santa Clara to the north, and into St. George via Sunset Boulevard. See map inset.
Resources
- To stay up-to-date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit theADOT Traveler Information Center online. Travelers outside of Arizona needing to check road conditions may call 1-888-411-ROAD, or while in Arizona dial 511.
- More information about the I-15 Virgin River Gorge bridge projects is available on the ADOT website.
Related posts
- ADOT: Virgin River Gorge bridge improvement schedule
- Road advisory: Old Highway 91 recommended as alternative to possible holiday weekend delays in gorge
- ADOT seeks public input on 2019 Virgin River Bridge No. 1 project
- ADOT begins largest bridge reconstruction project in Virgin River Gorge, Bridge No. 6 on I-15
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