VIRGIN RIVER GORGE, Ariz. — Overheated vehicles, an accident, and motorists with flat tires caused lengthy traffic jams in the southbound lane of Interstate 15 through the Virgin River Gorge Thursday evening.
Traffic was backed up for approximately nine miles but cleared out shortly after 7 p.m.
Motorists were still faced with a slow-moving line of vehicles even after emergency personnel worked to clear a collision that occurred just south of the Gorge.
Traffic delays are expected to continue in much the same manner Friday as paving crews continue work in the southbound lanes from the Gorge through Beaver Dam.
However those delays become increasingly worse in the afternoon, Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. John Bottoms said.
Thursday’s clogged traffic flow was intensified by hot weather, which contributed to some of the issues facing drivers, Bottoms said, adding the public should “plan for a rerun of this” on Friday.
Motorists turning in the median or driving the wrong way on the freeway or on freeway on/off ramps have also caused several close calls between vehicles, Bottoms said. Drivers will be ticketed for these violations.
Alternate Route
Those seeking to avoid the backup 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.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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