Traffic Advisory: Accident creates traffic snarl in both directions, Virgin River Gorge; alternate route

Stock image | St. George News

MOHAVE COUNTY, Ariz. — A one-vehicle accident in the Virgin River Gorge has had frustrated motorists backed up in both directions Thursday afternoon.

Update: Northbound traffic is clear as of 4:40 p.m., but southbound traffic congestion remains heavy. As of 5:06 p.m. MDT, southbound traffic in the Gorge is still backed up approximately 3 miles.

A truck crashed on bridge No. 6 on the northbound side of Interstate 15, Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. John Bottoms said. The accident occurred about 3:20 p.m. MDT and did not involve any other vehicles.

Bridge No. 6 is the current work project in the Gorge, and traffic lanes through the construction area are narrow.

Motorists are advised to avoid the northbound side, Bottoms said. Arizona DPS was waiting for a wrecker to remove the truck, and the truck has reportedly been removed as of 4 p.m. MDT. The southbound side is passable but slow.

Motorists traveling both ways are advised to take Old Highway 91 from Littlefield, Arizona to St. George to avoid the traffic backup.

If you decide to continue through the Gorge, allow extra space between cars, Bottoms 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

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, Utah, at the north via Santa Clara and Sunset Boulevard. See map inset.

To stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov, follow us on Twitter or call 511; outside of Arizona, dial 888-411-ROAD (7623).

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews | @NewsWayman

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

 

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1 Comment

  • SteveSGU October 29, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    As you know, I think the use of stock images to fill space or catch attention is not quite honest. At least you should have found a stock image photo of heavy traffic in the Gorge.

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