Serious I-15 collision near Mesquite backing up Gorge traffic; use alternate route

southbound traffic backed up in gorge
Traffic backed up on Interstate 15 in the Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, March 12, 2015 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News

UPDATE 1:15 p.m: While the collision has been cleared and traffic lanes reopened, Sgt. Bottoms said traffic is backed up for 7 miles through the Virgin River Gorge construction zone.

MESQUITE, Nevada – The Nevada Highway Patrol and Arizona Highway Patrol Division of Arizona Department of Public Safety have confirmed reports of a serious collision on southbound Interstate 15, near Nevada milepost 108, approximately 15 miles south of Mesquite, Nevada, blocking traffic.

The crash will cause a significant traffic backup through the Virgin River Gorge construction zone when the highway is reopened, Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. John T. Bottoms said.

Motorists traveling through the area are advised to use Highway 91 as an alternate route, Bottoms said, for the next several days due to heavy holiday traffic.

Bottoms also said he urges motorists to always stay a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them when driving. Following too closely, particularly in a construction zone, creates an unnecessary safety risk, which oftentimes 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 traffic backup and 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.

This is a developing story and may be updated as further details emerge.

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3 Comments

  • Dene July 2, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    15 mile to State Line another 9 miles to the entrance to the Gouge. Will never have a back up that far.

  • laytonian July 2, 2015 at 3:31 pm

    “Old” 91 should have been the route for I-15. The gorge is expensive to maintain and unsafe.

    • mesaman July 2, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      So much for your opinion. Have on about the squagga snail?

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