Water main break causes SB I-15 closure in Layton, reopens a short time later
Jul 18, 2023, 4:42 PM | Updated: 5:58 pm
UDOT crews look at at the damage caused by a broken water main on I-15 in Layton, Utah on July 18, 2023. (Sgt, Cameron Roden/Utah Highway Patrol)
(Sgt, Cameron Roden/Utah Highway Patrol)
LAYTON, Utah — A water main break closed SB I-15 near Hill Field Road in Layton on Tuesday. The Utah Department of Transportation had estimated the closure may last up to six to 10 hours.
By 5:40 p.m. Tuesday evening, however, Layton officials announced the freeway was back open. But, they cautioned that there were still delays in the area.
According to UDOT Public Relations Director John Gleason, the break is causing the southbound lanes of I-15 to buckle.
“It’s causing the freeway to essentially bubble up. So that pavement is not stable.”
By around 4:30 p.m., Gleason said the closure had caused at least 5 miles of traffic backups.
Gleason said crews are at the scene now trying to figure out where the leak is coming from.
Though nothing is confirmed at this time, Gleason said Layton City may have to dig up the pavement to find where the leak is coming from.
Gleason also said that the situation was unique, which makes it harder for the city to know where the leak is and how to repair it.
Due to road buckling and a water main breaking , I-15 SB is closed at Hillfield Road.
Alternate Routes
** Exit I-15 at SR193 head East up to US89
**Exit I-15 at Hillfield Road and take Main heading South to Layton Parkway @udot will assess when the lanes can be opened. pic.twitter.com/aJwSmm6rWa— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol) July 18, 2023
The Utah Highway Patrol tweeted about the situation and recommended drivers use U.S. 89 or southbound Main Street to Layton Parkway as alternate routes.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
