UPDATE: Crash, disabled semi causing Virgin River Gorge traffic back up to grow

Traffic backs up on Interstate 15 in the Virgin River Gorge, July 10, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Steve Cox, Ruin Runner Expeditions, St. George News

UPDATE – 9:35 p.m: The Virgin River Gorge traffic back up is reportedly cleared. 

UPDATE – 6:25 p.m: Approximately 1 mile north of Cedar Pocket, an 18 wheeler commercial vehicle is disabled, blocking the southbound right-hand lane. Stay to the left to avoid it.

UPDATE – 6:13 p.m: Southbound traffic is backed up for more than 9 miles, and northbound traffic is holding steady with a 3.5 mile traffic backup.

VIRGIN RIVER GORGE Motorists traveling on Interstate 15 through the Virgin River Gorge Sunday afternoon should expect delays both north and southbound. During the 2 p.m. MDT hour, traffic was backed up for 5 miles on the northbound side and more than 3 miles on the southbound side, Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Sgt. John Bottoms said.

At 3:30 p.m., Bottoms reported that a southbound collision involving a Greyhound bus and a passenger car have caused additional traffic issues. Details on the crash will be reported as more information becomes available.

Motorists traveling through the area are advised to allow for traffic and construction delays and drive with extra caution.

Motorists are always urged to stay a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them when driving, Bottoms said.

Following too closely, particularly in a construction zone, creates an unnecessary safety risk, which often results in drivers skidding off into the median when the car in front of them stops or slows, he said.

Highway 91 from St. George and Littlefield, Ariz. | Image created on Mapquest.com, St. George News | Click on map to enlarge
Highway 91 from St. George and Littlefield, Ariz. | Image created on Mapquest.com, St. George News | Click on map to enlarge

Alternate route and tips for drivers

Those seeking to avoid the construction work 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 St. George at the north via Santa Clara and Sunset Boulevard. See map included in this article.

Bridge work continues

As the Arizona Department of Transportation continues to make progress on the reconstruction of the Interstate 15 Virgin River Bridge No. 6 in Arizona, the agency is urging drivers to slow down and allow extra travel time as delays are expected while construction continues through the summer.

Current roadwork is focused on the $27 million rehabilitation project for Bridge No. 6. located at milepost 16 on I-15, around 20 miles south of St. George.

Starting sometime in July, single-lane travel in each direction is expected to shift to the new, wider northbound bridge and ADOT will then start work to rebuild the southbound bridge.

The project includes the replacement of the bridge’s superstructure – girders, deck and railings – as well as widening the roadway through the narrow passage of the Virgin River Gorge.

Resources

  • To stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at AZ511.gov or call 511; outside of Arizona dial 888-411-ROAD (7623)
  • For more information about this project, visit the website

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

 

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6 Comments

  • Billy Madison July 26, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    They should just pave two more lanes on old 91 through Santa Clara, Ivins, and Utah Hill and abandon I15 through The Gorge. Then set up some fruit stands in Santa Clara like it used to be.

  • Free Parking July 26, 2015 at 11:04 pm

    Well the church would have to approve that

    • Real Life July 27, 2015 at 10:38 am

      Dude, seriously. Get back on your meds.

  • DB July 27, 2015 at 3:46 pm

    Nowadays, if I have to catch a morning flight out of LAS, I go down the night before and get a room, assuming it’s not a weekend. Keeps my blood pressure somewhere near normal and I might just have some fun in the meantime! I usually get through the gorge without problem but then again, there’s that ONE time…Based on my location, I’d only use the alternate route if there was no alternative.

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