Heavy delays expected on Interstate 15 through Virgin River Gorge June 1

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is urging motorists traveling through the Virgin River Gorge on Interstate 15 in the far northwest corner of Arizona to allow for extra travel time next week due to a reduced 25-mph speed limit that will be in place for a 48-hour period as part of an ongoing bridge reconstruction project.

Beginning on Monday, June 1 at 8 p.m. and ending Wednesday, June 3 at 8 p.m., the reduced speed limit will be in place to allow crews to pour a new concrete bridge deck along the adjacent northbound Virgin River Bridge No. 6. The 48-hour period and reduced vibration from lower-speed traffic will allow the fresh concrete to properly cure. Traffic delays up to an hour are anticipated.

The northbound bridge, located midway between Mesquite, Nevada, and St. George, Utah, at milepost 16, is closed for the reconstruction project and both directions of traffic are currently traveling on the two-lane southbound bridge, which will also be replaced when the new northbound bridge is completed this summer.

Next week’s concrete deck pour is a significant milestone on the $27 million reconstruction project that began in 2014, and includes the replacement of the bridge’s superstructure (girders, deck and railings), as well as widening the roadway through the narrow passage of the gorge.

The highway is currently narrowed to one lane in each direction through the work zone until the Virgin River Bridge No. 6 project is completed in 2016.

With limited alternate routes due to the remote location of the I-15 Virgin River Gorge corridor, ADOT urges drivers to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, slow down and drive carefully through the work zone, and be alert for additional construction equipment, crews and law enforcement personnel.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned highway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule. To stay up to date with the latest highway conditions around the state, visit the ADOT Traveler Information Center at az511.gov or call 5-1-1. For those outside of Arizona, please dial 1.888.411.ROAD (7623).