UDOT goes viral with TikTok announcing I-80 closure this weekend
Apr 7, 2022, 10:13 AM | Updated: Feb 13, 2023, 2:47 pm
(@utahdot/TikTok)
(@utahdot/TikTok)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation is letting Utahns know Interstate 80 will close this weekend as crews replace a bridge in Salt Lake City.
The department took to TikTok to announce the closure, and its first video was viewed over 1.3 million times. UDOT later replaced the video with a different audio track.
@utahdot It was brought to our attention that the Shrek video had an offensive lyric that we were not aware of, so now we present a whole new backtrack. I-80 is still closed this weekend. #udot #utah #utahcheck #saltlakecity ♬ original sound – Guy McLachlan
The video hops on the “Shrek in the Sky” trend, where a “Shrek” character rises in the background dancing to a viral remix of the songs “Macarena” and “Material Girl.”
“I asked our team to get the word out about a closure on I-80 between 700 East and Foothill Drive this weekend. This really isn’t what I had in mind, but it seems to be working!” said Carlos Braceras, UDOT’s executive director.
UDOT said to “consider this your warning” ahead of the closure, which begins at 9 p.m. Friday. It is scheduled to last through 1 p.m. Sunday.
During the closure, crews will demolish the old bridge and slide the new 1700 East bridge, which was constructed next to the old bridge, into place.
“This innovative method of bridge construction, pioneered in Utah, reduces delays and traffic restrictions for drivers,” UDOT said. “The bridge was originally built in the 1960s and is due for replacement. The new bridge will provide a smoother ride for drivers and will enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians, with a new 14-foot-wide path on the west side along with a new sidewalk and bike lane on the east side.”
Closure Alert!⚠️I-80 will be closed in both directions between 700 E and Foothill Dr in SLC from Friday, 4/8, at 9 pm thru Sunday, 4/10, at 1 pm while crews on our I-80 & I-215 Renewed project replace the 1700 E bridge over I-80. Visit https://t.co/h12MEqP9Se for info! pic.twitter.com/ulNwbGsWdd
— UDOT Region Two (@UDOTRegionTwo) April 4, 2022
UDOT urged drivers to use I-15 and I-215 as alternate routes, as shown on the map below. This closure will result in
heavy travel delays.
