Third round of blasting on SR-18 Ledges project runs 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday

Southbound SR-18 by the near the northern entrance to Snow Canyon State Park, Washington County, Utah, March 14, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

ST. GEORGE β€” Work to add an additional passing lane on state Route 18 north of the Ledges overpass will undergo a third round of blasting Tuesday morning.

Southbound SR-18 by the near the northern entrance to Snow Canyon State Park, Washington County, Utah, March 14, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Set to occur 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, the new round of blasting is meant to fracture a piece of ground that did not fragment enough during prior blasting to be easily removed, according to a press release from Washington County.

β€œThe final detonation is necessary to break up this stubborn section,” the release states.

Traffic will be halted for up to 20 minutes in both directions on SR-18 during the blasting.

Law enforcement also will be present during the operation for traffic control and to assist motorists who might need a remember of which rules of the road apply to them.

The speed limit through the work zone is 55 miles per hour and motorists are reminded to be patient and attentive as they drive through the area and in general, according to the release.

Work on this segment of SR-18 is taking place Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and is anticipated to wrap up by the end of April.

Northbound SR-18 though Winchester Hills, Washington County, Utah, March 14, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Though it has been referred to as the Ledges project, work on SR-18 is taking place north of the Ledges overpass and through Winchester Hills northward until just passed the northern entrance of Snow Canyon State Park.

The new passing lane is being built on the east side of the roadway.

The cost of the project is $2 million and was awarded to Sunroc Construction during a Washington County Commission meeting held earlier this year.

The addition of the passing lane is seen as a needed safety enhancement for the roadway with the county pushing for the project to conclude before the next Ironman competition in May.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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