UDOT warns of traffic delays due to Thanksgiving holiday

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to plan ahead this holiday season, citing possible delays out on the roadways.

Traffic engineers believe Interstate 15 could see “heavy traffic” on Wednesday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 27.

The following delays are expected on Wednesday:

• Northbound I-15 in Davis County — up to 10-minute delays from 3 to 7 p.m.
• Southbound I-15 in Salt Lake County — up to 15-minute delays from 3 to 7 p.m.
• Southbound I-15 in Nephi — up to 10-minute delays from 5 to 8 p.m.

“On Sunday afternoon, delays of up to 20 minutes are also expected on northbound I-15 near Cedar City from 12-7 p.m.,” read a Monday press release from UDOT.

Officials said most UDOT projects in the Beehive State will suspend construction and open up all lanes of traffic from Wednesday to Sunday “to help reduce delays.”

“In some work zones, these restrictions will continue through the weekend where needed, to ensure safety or accommodate ongoing construction,” the release stated.

Those projects include:

• 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.
• I-80 near the I-84 interchange
  • Westbound I-80 is reduced to one lane just east of the I-84 interchange near Echo Reservoir, 24 hours a day.
• 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.

UDOT also recommended that drivers plan ahead for traffic on local streets due to Black Friday shopping, specifically, streets near malls or large shopping centers.

“Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change,” the release stated.

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