UDOT: Plow Drivers ‘Doing Everything They Can’
Feb 17, 2021, 9:14 AM | Updated: 9:16 am
(KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Department of Transportation is asking drivers to avoid the roads Wednesday morning if possible.
UDOT issued a winter storm travel alert that began Tuesday.
“If you can, please stay off the roads until 10 a.m. because of this morning’s storm,” the department tweeted. “Our plow drivers are doing everything they can to keep the roads clear.”
“If you must be on the road this morning, please take it slow and pay complete attention to the road,” UDOT added.
Reminder – if you can, please stay off the roads until 10 a.m. because of this morning’s storm. Our plow drivers are doing everything they can to keep the roads clear. https://t.co/DS2fi6WaTs
— Utah DOT (@UtahDOT) February 17, 2021
The prolonged winter storm, which has been dropping snow on portions of Utah for nearly two days, led to dozens of crashes and slide-offs on roads Wednesday morning. Avalanche dangers forced the closure of both Little and Big Cottonwood canyons.
Lanes in Big Cottonwood Canyon have been reopened, but UDOT has been closing them intermittently for avalanche mitigation. All vehicles driving SR 190 are required to have traction devices.
If you have to go out in Salt Lake City, check the Snowplow GPS Tracking Tool from @SLCgov before heading out. https://t.co/qXS38Ny7RG pic.twitter.com/i3Auo9uUY4
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) February 17, 2021
Little Cottonwood Canyon remained closed due to extreme avalanche dangers.
Traction laws are also in effect for I-80 through Parleys Canyon in Salt Lake and Summit counties as well as through Sardine Canyon in Box Elder and Cache counties.
In the southern portion of the state, SR 143 was closed in both directions between the Iron-Garfield County line and mile post 18 just south of Brian Head. The winter weather is expected to keep that road closed until Monday.
KSL meteorologist Grant Weyman said the brunt of the storm is expected to lift by about noon, and the snow should stop falling altogether by the afternoon hours.
Another storm system is expected to hit the state this weekend.
