TRAFFIC ALERT: Emergency Pothole Repair to Cause Significant Delays Beginning This Morning in Utah County
I-15 CORE crews to conduct emergency resurfacing from Lehi to Spanish Fork including closures to one lane and a full southbound freeway closure
LEHI, Utah (Dec. 22, 2010) - UDOT's Utah County I-15 Corridor Expansion (I-15 CORE) must conduct emergency resurfacing of Interstate 15 between Orem 800 North and Spanish Fork beginning Thursday morning and continuing through Friday early morning. The activity will require pockets of multiple lane restrictions on both northbound and southbound I-15.
After several attempts to repair multiple potholes caused by fluctuating temperatures, heavy precipitation and sections of deteriorating asphalt, UDOT engineers determined an immediate resurfacing was necessary for the safety of drivers. Portions of the roadway will be resurfaced in multiple sections as a longer-term solution until the pavement is replaced with a more durable 40-year concrete as part of the I-15 CORE project.
Drivers should expect temporary lane restrictions and significant delays day and night as crews work to resurface the roadway in various areas and reduce the need for future inconvenience. The asphalt hot mix requires warm, dry temperatures necessitating the daytime restrictions.
"While we do all we can to conduct repairs during least-traveled hours our first priority is always safety. Extreme weather has quickly escalated the safety hazard of the aging roadway that we are addressing with the I-15 CORE reconstruction," said Dal Hawks, I-15 CORE project director. "We have a small window of opportunity to apply a solution. We ask for drivers' patience as we complete the work as quickly as possible to keep everyone safe on the road."
The anticipated lane restrictions beginning Thursday include:
Southbound I-15 from 800 North in Orem to University Parkway:
One lane open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Two lanes open from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
7 p.m. all lanes reopen
Southbound I-15 from University Parkway to University Ave:
One lane open from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.
7 p.m. all lanes reopen
Southbound I-15 at Spanish Fork Main Street interchange:
Full southbound freeway closure from 7 p.m. to midnight
Traffic will detour at the interchange ramps
Spanish Fork Main Street will be closed and detoured to 300 West to 1600 North
Northbound I-15 at the Spanish Fork 300 West bridge (south of Spanish Fork Main):
One lane open from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Friday
Northbound I-15 from University Ave to 800 North Orem:
One lane open from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Friday
Northbound I-15 from American Fork 500 East to Lehi Main:
Three lanes open from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Friday
UDOT advises the following:
People traveling through Utah County should avoid the interstate as much as possible. UDOT will be working with cities to time signals to keep traffic moving on local streets.
Motorists on I-15 should consider exiting the freeway at Pleasant Grove Blvd and 1600 North in Orem and taking local roads.
Drivers are encouraged to TravelWise, adjust travel times or plan ahead for significant delays through this area.
Because these repairs are weather-dependent and could change with little notice, UDOT strongly recommend drivers follow I-15 CORE social media including twitter (twitter.com/i15core), facebook (facebook.com/i15core) and text (i15 to 53535) for up-to-the-minute information. These methods are the fastest way to get last-minute information to make an informed decision before heading out on the road.
-UDOT-
Construction activities and dates are subject to change. Dates are weather-permitting and could change with short notice. Please check the I-15 CORE website (udot.utah.gov/i15core) or the project's Twitter feed (twitter.com/i15core) for the latest information.