(Richfield, Utah) — Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT)
maintenance forces continue snow removal efforts in South Central Utah
despite a series of power outages and extreme weather conditions.
The series of heavy storms contributing to flooding in Washington and
Kane counties also created heavy snowfall in the higher elevations over
Garfield, Beaver, Millard, Sevier, Sanpete, Wayne and Garfield counties.
As snowfall continued today, a series of jack-knifed semi-trucks over
mountain summits combined with multiple slide-offs and accidents to
snarl traffic on I-15 today between Scipio and Fillmore. Traffic
congestion has taken a few hours to clear in this area.
UDOT forces have been successful in keeping I-15 and I-70 open despite
numerous power outages and multiple traveler incidents. UDOT is
positioned with generators in strategic locations and adequate fuel
resources to continue its maintenance efforts.
Motorists are advised to use caution east of Kanab where run-off from
Johnson Canyon has slowed travel on U.S. Highway 89. The Utah Highway
Patrol is aiding in traffic control at this location and UDOT continues
to monitor this area. Maintenance workers cleared a 50-foot slide that
closed U.S. 89 approximately three miles north of Glendale Monday
evening but was re-opened within 90 minutes.
Drifting snow and windy conditions continue to hamper efforts at the
higher elevations. State Route 12 in Wayne County was closed briefly
today near Grover while crews punched through drifting snow. The road
is open but travel on this route is not recommended.
At this hour the following roads remain closed in Southern Utah:
● S.R. 9 Mount-Carmel Highway in Zion National Park
● S.R. 14 Cedar City to Long Valley Junction
● S.R. 143 Brian Head to Mammoth Creek
● S.R. 153 Beaver to Circleville
For the latest road closures or emergency road conditions motorists are
advised to dial 5-1-1 or visit http://www.commuterlink.utah.