ST. GEORGE – In a move to get the roadwork between Exits 4 and 5 on Interstate 15 done a little faster, the Utah Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the contractor, will be limiting travel to a single lane in both directions as of Wednesday.
“This closure will be in place during the day and night,” UDOT road planners said in an email Wednesday. “By early next week, all lanes of traffic will be open, including the Bluff Street entrance ramp. Additionally, the Virgin River Trail which passes under the freeway will open at that time.”
Narrowing the traffic to single lanes will help bring a quicker conclusion to microsurfacing work that began earlier this month.
Motorists are advised to use extreme caution while driving through the work area between the Brigham Road/Exit 4 and Dixie Drive/Exit 5 interchanges.
Obey all laws and traffic signs in the area to help ensure everyone gets home safely.
Provided the weather remains favorable, all lanes of I-15 and the Bluff Street entrance ramp are anticipated to open by Nov 22.
What to expect during the ongoing construction
- Lane restrictions.
- Noise.
- Vibrations.
- Dust.
“Maintaining traffic flow and minimizing construction impacts during peak travel times is a priority,” UDOT officials said in the email. “Additionally, some specific work activities have been designated to daytime hours only in consideration of nearby residents and hotels.”
Purpose of the roadwork
An auxiliary lane in each direction is being added, allowing drivers to enter the interstate and exit at the next interchange without merging with through-traffic or changing lanes. The new lanes are anticipated to improve traffic flow and enhance safety.
Adding the new lanes has involved demolishing and replacing the narrow bridges over the Virgin River – a process expected to be done by December.
In addition to providing a third lane of travel, the new bridges will also accommodate the creation of a fourth lane in the future.
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I could not imagine one Washington County resident who would not be thrilled for this to end, and we get access to the new Wal-Mart off-ramp. Worth the wait.
Memo to UDOT: It took you guys too long to finally slow folks down entering the construction zone with a lower speed limit, and it took too long to help northbound cars merge into traffic at Brigham Rd. by implementing the thru traffic merge into the left lane. Perhaps you could use these techniques in upcoming projects to avoid unsafe traffic conditions.