Heading out of town for Memorial Day? Here’s some traffic hotspots to know

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation has outlined a number of places throughout the state to plan for traffic delays over Memorial Day weekend.

Traffic engineers expect the following delays on Wasatch Front highways:

• Southbound I-15 in Salt Lake County: up to 10-minute delays on Friday from 2-5 p.m.
• Southbound I-15 near Nephi: up to 15-minute delays on Friday from 2-6 p.m.
• Northbound I-15 in Davis County: up to 15-minute delays on Friday from 1-7 p.m.
• Northbound I-15 near Nephi: up to 20-minute delays on Monday from 2-7 p.m.
• Westbound U.S. Highway 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon: up to 30-minute delays on Monday from 2-7 p.m.

UDOT announced that most projects would be suspending construction and opening all lanes of traffic to reduce delays and traffic jams over Memorial Day weekend.

“All indications right now is that this could be one of the busiest travel holidays we’ve seen in a while,” said UDOT spokesperson John Gleason. “Everyone’s looking to get out, enjoy themselves with everything we’ve been through the last few years.”

🚧 Construction Update 🚧

Traveling this weekend? Here’s the expected delays that might impact your plans. Please plan ahead and give yourself some extra time if you’re passing through these areas. 👇 pic.twitter.com/T1lMojIA5H

— Utah DOT (@UtahDOT) May 26, 2022

However, a few restrictions in some areas will continue where needed to “ensure the safety or accommodate ongoing construction.”

UDOT provided the following list of projects where drivers should plan for construction conditions including restrictions, uneven roads, or reduced speeds:

• U.S. Highway 40 north of Heber City – Eastbound U.S. 40 is reduced to one lane north of Heber City near Jordanelle Reservoir. Drivers should expect heavy truck traffic and travel delays, especially Friday afternoon. Crews are completing maintenance work on the concrete pavement in this area and replacing the driving surfaces of the bridges over the Provo River. This work is scheduled for completion in the fall.
•  I-84 near Morgan – I-84 is reduced to one lane in each direction between Morgan (Exit 106) and Henefer (Exit 112). These restrictions are in place 24 hours a day through fall. Crews are completing pavement and bridge maintenance in the area.
• I-80 and I-215 in eastern Salt Lake County – Lanes are shifted on I-80 between 1300 East and 2300 East, and on I-215 between 3300 South and 4500 South. In addition, the southbound I-215 off-ramp at 3900 South is closed through mid-June. Crews are reconstructing these sections of I-80 and I-215 by removing existing pavement and replacing it with new concrete. This project is also replacing or widening bridges at 1300 East, 1700 East, 2000 East and 2300 East, and is adding a new eastbound lane on I-80. All lanes are scheduled to be open by late 2023.
• I-70 near the I-15 interchange – I-70 is reduced to one lane in each direction between the Cove Fort exit and I-15. Crews are replacing the driving surface and barrier walls on the I-70 bridge over I-15 through fall.

Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. For the latest information on traffic restrictions during construction, visit the UDOT Traffic website (udottraffic.utah.gov) or download the UDOT Traffic app for iPhone or Android. Drivers can also follow UDOT on social media including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

“I think it’s important for all of us to remember everyone out there is trying to get to where they’re going safely, let’s do our part to make sure everyone achieves that goal,” said Gleason.

Law enforcement will also be stepping up patrols this weekend.

Utah Highway Patrol troopers have added 90 extra shifts statewide looking for impaired drivers and making sure people are buckled up.

“One of the issues with drunk drivers is they’re overconfident in their abilities. They think that they aren’t that drunk or they’re just going a short distance,” said UHP Cpl. Tara Wahlberg.

Fatalities tend to spike beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. According to the Zero Fatalities website, over 100 lives have already been lost in crashes on Utah roads this year.

On Friday, one person was killed in a nine-vehicle crash on State Street in Sandy.

Public safety leaders urge us to do our part, put down distractions, obey the speed limit and buckle up.