CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — On Oct. 28 and 29, Southern Utah will host the most globally recognized triathlon competition in the world: the Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission. During these two days of racing – not just one like last year’s edition – top professional and elite amateur athletes from around the globe will test their mettle in the “Land of Endurance” over a 70.3-mile course of swimming, biking and running.
The event stretches from Sand Hollow and Hurricane to Ivins and Snow Canyon, finishing at St. George Town Square. Race and city officials encourage residents to be aware of event-related road closures and detours in order to adjust their plans and minimize impacts to their week.
The race course and alternative routes have been carefully created by race officials, law enforcement and the Utah Department of Transportation to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, volunteers and athletes. Motorists can still maneuver through Washington County with a little extra patience and planning.
“Don’t wait until you’re behind the wheel or the day of to figure it out,” St. George Police Officer Tiffany Mitchell said. “Save yourself some frustration and plan ahead. Know before you go.”
Mitchell added that spectators should decide where they want to observe the race beforehand and use the maps provided to find appropriate places to park. While road closures and detours may cause frustration, patience and kindness behind the wheel are key. Share the road with others and be aware of what’s going on around you.
Road closures taking place both days will run through parts of Hurricane, Washington City, St. George, Ivins and Snow Canyon State Park, impacting state Route 18, state Route 9 and other main routes.
Road impacts and closures
Hurricane
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29
- SR-9/State Street will be single-lane traffic in the westbound lanes between the SR-7 interchange and Telegraph Street from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- SR-7/Southern Parkway will be closed in both directions from State Street to Sand Hollow Road from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- 3000 South will be closed at 1100 West, but open to residential traffic from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The Sand Hollow Road and SR-9/State Street intersection will be open to a right turn only onto SR-9; vehicles will detour to the SR-7 interchange to go east or west on SR-9.
Ivins
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29
- Center Street will be closed from Snow Canyon Drive to 400 West from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Snow Canyon Drive will be closed from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
St. George
Extended closures
- Oct. 22-30: Main Street from 50 North (The Advenire and Zions Bank entrances) to the roundabout at Tabernacle Street.
- Oct. 24-30: West Tabernacle from Judd’s to the roundabout to 300 West.
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29
Expect road closures and detours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at:
- Main Street, from Diagonal Street to 100 South.
- East Tabernacle, from Main Street to 200 East.
- 200 East, from East Tabernacle to 200 South.
- 200 South, from 200 East to 400 East.
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29
- Red Hills Parkway westbound lanes will be closed from 1000 East to SR-18 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Snow Canyon Parkway westbound lanes from Bluff Street to Snow Canyon Drive will be closed from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Diagonal Street will be closed to traffic in both directions from 8:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- SR-18 will be single-lane traffic, using the northbound lane, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Washington City
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29
- Exit 13 from southbound I-15 onto Washington Parkway will be closed from 6:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- No northbound I-15 on-ramp access will be allowed from Washington Parkway from 6:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Washington Parkway will be narrowed to single-lane traffic in the southbound lane from 6:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- No access to SR-9/State Street from Telegraph Street from 6:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Washington Parkway will be single-lane traffic in the southbound lane from 6:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Telegraph Street will be single-lane traffic in the eastbound lane from 6:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Green Spring Drive will be single-lane traffic in the northbound lane from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- No access to Washington Parkway from Buena Vista Boulevard or Main Street.
Alternate routes
SR-9
Motorists are encouraged to avoid SR-9 during the race from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Use the following alternate routes:
- Southbound I-15: Avoid Exit 16. Use Exit 27 (Anderson Junction) toward Toquerville, LaVerkin, Hurricane, Springdale and Zion National Park on the east.
- Northbound I-15: Avoid Exit 16. Instead, continue north to Exit 27 (Anderson Junction) toward Toquerville, La Verkin, Hurricane, Springdale and Zion National Park on the east.
- SR-9 from Springdale and Zion National Park: Avoid westbound SR-9 in Hurricane. Instead, use SR-17 north to access I-15.
- SR-9 from Hurricane: Avoid westbound SR-9. Instead, use SR-9 east to SR-17 north to access I-15.
- SR-59 from Apple Valley, Hildale and Colorado City: Avoid westbound SR-9 in Hurricane. Instead, use SR-9 east to SR-17 north to access I-15.
SR-7 (Southern Parkway)
SR-7 will be closed in both directions from the SR-9 interchange to Sand Hollow Road with no vehicle access from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Consider the following alternate routes:
- Hurricane to St. George area: SR-7 is closed in both directions Sand Hollow Road to the SR-9 interchange. SR-9 has only one lane of traffic in both directions. Avoid westbound SR-9 in Hurricane. Instead, use SR-17 north to access I-15.
- St. George to Hurricane and Zion National Park: SR-7 is closed in both directions from Sand Hollow Road to the SR-9 interchange. Use I-15 northbound to Exit 27 (Anderson Junction) toward Toquerville.
SR-18
Motorists will experience single-lane traffic in both directions on Oct. 28 and 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; expect a lane-shift configuration and delays. Larger trucks are advised to use the alternative routes below due to delays and sharp turns in the lane shifts. Additional detours will be encountered as vehicles enter St. George. Please consider the following alternate routes:
- Southbound for all vehicles: At Veyo, turn onto West Center Street/Gunlock Drive and follow Gunlock Drive to Santa Clara and St. George.
- Southbound for large trucks: From Enterprise, use SR-18 eastbound toward Cedar City and I-15.
- Northbound for large trucks: From St. George, use I-15 to Cedar City before heading west on SR-18.
On Oct. 25 and 26, expect delays in downtown St. George for the IRONKIDS and Fun Run events. IRONKIDS will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 and impact traffic around Town Square Park and East Tabernacle to 100 South. The Fun Run is scheduled for 8-9:30 a.m. on Oct. 26, on and around Main Street from 100 South toward 300 South, and 300 South toward 700 East.
View the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship race course, neighborhood notifications, road closures and an interactive map at IRONMAN.GreaterZion.com.
Written by JESSI BANG for St. George News.
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