Delays getting to grandma’s this holiday weekend

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) issued its annual Thanksgiving congestion report. They are expecting 15 to 20 minute delays in a few places. 

John Gleason joined KSL’s Maria Shilaos on the Afternoon News. Gleason, the public information officer for UDOT, explained I-15 along the Wasatch Front will have the busiest traffic on Wednesday afternoon.

Gleason said to expect 15 minutes delays in both directions leaving Salt Lake County northbound and southbound between 2pm and 7pm. Payson will see the delays up to 8 o’clock in the evening.

Canyons and National Parks will see additional traffic and it could take longer than expected to get to your destination.

The good news, Gleason said, is that construction projects will be halted from Wednesday to Sunday in order to open as many lanes as possible for travelers.  “Speed limits will still be reduced in the constructions zones,” he added.  

If you’re returning on Sunday, I-15 northbound out of Cedar City is expected to have the worst delays.  Gleason advised to plan ahead for 20 minute delays between 11am and 7pm if you are heading back to the Wasatch Front.

Construction zones with likely delays

Here is a list from UDOT of some of the major construction zones where speed limits are reduced and additional lane restrictions are in place:

• I-15 from Riverdale to Layton – Three lanes are open on I-15 in each direction between Layton and Riverdale. The speed limit has been reduced to 60 miles per hour in the work zone. Crews are widening I-15 to extend the Express Lanes in both directions between Layton and Riverdale. Work on this project is scheduled to be complete in 2022.

• S.R. 39 in Ogden Canyon – S.R. 39 is reduced to one lane, with alternating traffic controlled by a temporary signal, near the mid-canyon bridge between Ogden and Pineview Reservoir. Drivers should plan for delays of 15 minutes or more and consider alternate routes if planning travel to Pineview Reservoir, Huntsville, Eden or other Ogden Valley destinations. Crews are rebuilding the mid-canyon bridge, and work on this project is expected to be complete in early 2022.

• I-80 in Salt Lake City and I-215 in eastern Salt Lake County – Lanes are shifted and narrowed on I-80 in Salt Lake City between 1300 East and 2300 East and on the I-215 east belt between as part of a project to reconstruct these two sections of the freeways. A new lane split will be installed on southbound I-215 from 3800 South to 4500 South beginning as early as Tuesday night, Nov. 23. Drivers will need to stay in the right two lanes to access the 3900 South and 4500 South exits. This configuration will remain in place through early 2022. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2022.

• U.S. 189 in Provo Canyon – U.S. 189 is reduced to one lane in each direction 24 hours a day between Bridal Veil Falls and Vivian Park. New concrete median barriers are being installed in the canyon, and lane closures will remain in place through mid-December until crews can get the parts needed to complete the work.

Gleason is also reminding people not to drive while tired or distracted. He added, as always, never drink and drive.

We know what happens when you text and drive #AllTooWell. Don’t run a red ‘cause you were lookin’ over at your phone. pic.twitter.com/RGk6FLHzPf

— Utah DOT (@UtahDOT) November 19, 2021

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