Traffic advisory: Traffic backed up over 8 miles in Virgin River Gorge

southbound traffic backed up in gorge
Traffic backed up on Interstate 15 in the Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, March 12, 2015 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Motorists traveling on Interstate 15 both north- and southbound along the Virgin River Gorge Sunday should expect long traffic delays due to heavy holiday traffic volume.

At 5:15 p.m., heavy traffic volume has traffic backed up southbound I-15 traffic for more than 8 miles, and northbound traffic is backed up for 2 miles through the Gorge construction zone, Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Sgt. John Bottoms said.

Avoid traveling through the Gorge if at all possible, Bottoms said in a text message to St. George News at 5:13 p.m. Sunday.

Motorists traveling through the area are advised to plan ahead and allow for traffic and construction delays and to drive with extra caution.

Motorists are always urged to stay a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them when driving, Bottoms said. Following too closely, particularly in a construction zone, creates an unnecessary safety risk, which oftentimes results in drivers skidding off into the median when the car in front of them stops or slows, he said.

Highway 91 from St. George and Littlefield, Ariz. | Image created on Mapquest.com, St. George News | Click on map to enlarge
Highway 91 from St. George and Littlefield, Ariz. | Image created on Mapquest.com, St. George News | Click on map to enlarge

Alternate route and tips for drivers

Those seeking to avoid the construction work in the Virgin River Gorge may take Highway 91 as an alternate route. The highway bypasses the Gorge entirely, intersecting with I-15 at Littlefield, Arizona to the south and connecting to St. George at the north via Santa Clara and Sunset Boulevard. See map included in this article.

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