Times and places that could give drivers trouble during Memorial Day
May 25, 2021, 9:23 AM | Updated: 5:15 pm
Utah has the sixth worst drivers in the nation, according to the website quotewizard.com Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY –Memorial Day weekend is almost here, and many Utahns are planning on driving somewhere fun. But you’ll want to plan ahead for some extra busy spots on roads.
More people are expected to drive and go somewhere as they did before the pandemic.
But Memorial Day drivers beware, UDOT has some road restrictions and lanes closed that could impact your driving times even if construction is paused for the holiday.
That fact and the expected surge in post-Covid travel could make this weekend’s road trips significantly longer than normal.
Ahead of holiday weekend, fire restrictions coming for southern Utah
While returning home Monday afternoon, delays could be long especially on northbound I-15 near Nephi between 2:30 and 7:30 pm and from 1 to 8 pm on westbound US 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon.
UDOT said drivers should be cautious, stay alert, wear seatbelts and put away distractions.
Be sure and tune in to KSL NewsRadio before you set out on your drive for Triple Team Traffic starting at noon on Thursday and Friday.
Memorial Day Driving delays and restrictions
Other areas to note or watch out for delays are:
I-15 in Clearfield: All lanes are open, but lane splits are in place on both directions of I-15 near Clearfield. These allow crews to work in the median of the freeway. The speed limit has been reduced to 60 mph in the work zone. Crews are widening I-15 to extend the Express Lanes in both directions between Layton and Riverdale. Construction is scheduled to finish this fall.
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. Delays of 15 minutes or more are typical, so drivers should consider an alternate route for traveling to Pineview Reservoir, Huntsville, Eden and other Ogden Valley destinations. Crews are rebuilding the mid-canyon bridge, and construction is expected to continue through fall.
I-84 near Morgan: I-84 is reduced to one lane in each direction between Morgan (Exit 102) and Henefer (Exit 112). These restrictions are in place 24 hours a day through July. Crews are completing pavement and bridge maintenance in the area.
U.S. 40 near Jordanelle Reservoir: Two lanes remain open in each direction on U.S. 40 near the Mayflower exit (Exit 8), but traffic is shifted to accommodate construction of new U.S. 40 bridges. This work is scheduled for completion in the fall.
U.S. 40 Starvation Reservoir bridge: All lanes on U.S. 40 will be open from Friday at 7 a.m. to Monday at 10 p.m. Before Friday and after Monday, U.S. 40 will be reduced to a one-lane road with alternating directions of traffic controlled by a temporary signal. Drivers should plan for 15-minute delays during this time. Crews are rebuilding the driving surface of the bridge. Work is planned for completion this fall.
U.S. 6 west of Santaquin: All lanes on U.S. 6 will be open between Friday and Monday. However, U.S. 6 will be reduced to a one-lane road with traffic controlled by flaggers and a pilot car between Santaquin and Goshen on between last Monday and Thursday. Crews are repaving the highway in this area. Construction is scheduled to finish this summer.
I-15 near Beaver: Lanes are narrowed for a bridge maintenance project in Beaver (Exits 109-112). Drivers should use caution and obey posted speed limits. Work on these bridges should be complete later this summer.
U.S. 191 in Moab: U.S. 191 (Moab Main Street) will remain reduced to one lane in each direction this weekend. Drivers should plan for delays and allow extra travel time. Crews are widening U.S. 191 in north Moab to add a lane in each direction along with a center turn lane in some locations. Construction is scheduled for completion this summer.
S.R. 12/S.R. 63 near Bryce Canyon National Park: Drivers should plan for a temporary configuration at the intersection of S.R. 12 and S.R. 63 where portions of the intersection are unpaved. Crews are building a new roundabout to improve traffic flow and enhance safety. This project is scheduled for completion this fall.
S.R. 276 at Lake Powell: UDOT’s Lake Powell ferry, which connects S.R. 276 between Bullfrog and Hall’s Crossing, is not operating at this time because water levels are too low. Drivers will need to use S.R. 95 as an alternate. There is no expected date when operations will resume.
