Utah warns of 90-minute traffic delays

The Utah Department of Transportation warned on May 20 that Memorial Day weekend traffic could add 15 to 90 minutes to trips on some of the state’s busiest recreation routes. The agency said the longest delays were expected on U.S. 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon and on the U.S. 6/U.S. 191 corridor between Spanish Fork and Moab. KSL reported on May 22 that the forecasts came as AAA projected about 45 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles over the holiday period, with more than 85% of them driving. Salt Lake City International Airport also expected about 28,000 passengers on Friday, KSL reported. ### Which Utah roads were expected to see the longest backups? UDOT said eastbound U.S. 6 from Spanish Fork to Soldier Summit could see up to 90 minutes of additional delay on Friday, May 22, between 10:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., with the heaviest congestion around 7 p.m. The agency also projected up to 90 minutes of delay Friday on southbound U.S. 6/U.S. 191 from Spanish Fork to Moab between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m., with peak delays around 5 p.m. (connect.udot.utah.gov) Monday, May 25, was expected to bring the same scale of return-trip congestion. UDOT forecast up to 90 minutes of delay westbound on U.S. 6 from Soldier Summit to Spanish Fork between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., and up to 90 minutes northbound on U.S. 191/U.S. 6 from Moab to Spanish Fork between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. (connect.udot.utah.gov) ### Where else did Utah officials expect holiday traffic to build? Southbound Interstate 15 from Spanish Fork to Nephi was forecast to see up to 30 minutes of added delay on Friday, while northbound I-15 from Nephi to Spanish Fork was projected to see up to 40 minutes on Monday. UDOT also flagged northbound U.S. 89 from Logan to Bear Lake and southbound U.S. 89 from Bear Lake to Logan for delays of up to 30 minutes, along with shorter slowdowns on U.S. 40 between Heber and Duchesne. (connect.udot.utah.gov) UDOT’s traveler information page says the agency’s traffic website and app provide live updates on crashes, construction, road weather and delays, along with camera views from around the state. The agency said its Traffic Operations Center monitors conditions around the clock. ### Why was Spanish Fork Canyon a particular concern? (connect.udot.utah.gov) UDOT said a work zone near Thistle Junction in Spanish Fork Canyon was expected to remain in place through the holiday weekend. The agency said traffic there would stay reduced to one lane in each direction while crews build a grade-separated interchange at the U.S. 6 and U.S. 89 junction. (connect.udot.utah.gov) KSL reported that Utah’s highest projected Memorial Day delays were tied to that construction area, even as most UDOT projects statewide were set to suspend work and open all lanes where possible for the holiday. ### What were officials telling travelers to do? (connect.udot.utah.gov) Cyndi Zesk, senior vice president of travel for AAA Mountain West Group, said in a statement carried by KSL that “despite higher fuel prices, the underlying desire to travel remains positive and strong as travelers are prioritizing leisure summer getaways.” UDOT urged drivers to plan ahead for heavy traffic and use its traffic tools to check conditions before leaving. (connect.udot.utah.gov) KSL reported Utah gas prices averaged $4.69, the highest Memorial Day level in four years, but state and national officials said they did not expect that to keep large numbers of travelers off the road. ### What comes after the holiday weekend? UDOT said most holiday construction suspensions would remain in effect only through the weekend, while the Thistle Junction restriction would stay in place. (ksl.com) The agency also said a Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities project is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 26, reducing southbound Beck Street between Everett Avenue and Victory Road to one lane for about 10 days. (connect.udot.utah.gov)