I-17 101 traffic interchange

Bridge repairs to narrow northbound I-15 in Virgin River Gorge

Bridge repairs to narrow northbound I-15 in Virgin River Gorge

October 8, 2020

PHOENIX – Northbound Interstate 15 will be narrowed to one lane over Bridge No. 7 in the Virgin River Gorge for the next several weeks so the Arizona Department of Transportation can repair damage from an August crash involving a semi-truck.

Beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, northbound I-15 will be narrowed to one lane at milepost 22. Drivers traveling between Mesquite, Nevada and St. George, Utah should expect delays and allow extra travel time. Southbound I-15 traffic will not be affected by the work.

All vehicles wider than 10 feet will have to use a 224-mile detour route during construction because of the Virgin River Gorge terrain and the narrow width of I-15. Signs will direct wide-load traffic to the detour route of US 93, Nevada State Route 319 and Utah State Route 56 between Las Vegas and Cedar City, Utah. 

In August, a semi-truck heading northbound on I-15 crashed and caught fire while crossing Bridge No. 7. Crews will be repairing the guardrail, concrete barrier wall and bridge deck, all of which were damaged in the crash. Maintenance crews set up temporary barriers at the crash site until ADOT could arrange for the repair project.

Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of November.

Drivers should proceed through the work zone with caution, slow down and watch for construction personnel and equipment.

Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT. When a freeway closure or other major traffic event occurs, our free app available at azdot.gov/ADOTAlerts will send critical information directly to app users in affected areas – where possible, in advance of alternate routes.