UDOT offers travel tips to navigate traffic and avoid delays
The Utah Department of Transportation urges the BYU community as well as Utah County residents and businesses to plan ahead for especially heavy traffic on I-15 and local streets this Friday in conjunction with the BYU-Utah State football game. Delays on southbound I-15 are expected to be severe during the hours from 4 to 6 p.m., coinciding with a 6 p.m. kickoff and the afternoon commute.
Because of these conditions, travel in the area may take more than double the usual amount of time.
“Plan to give yourself ample travel time to the game so you don’t miss the first quarter,” said Dal Hawks, I-15 CORE project director. “If you work north of Utah County, stay in town for dinner or work late to avoid delays. And if you live in the Provo-Orem area, please avoid travel, even on local roads, before and after the game as traffic will be at its heaviest.”
For football fans, UDOT recommends leaving before 4 p.m. to avoid the heaviest delays. Narrow lanes and reduced speeds are in place on I-15 CORE from Lehi to Provo, which may contribute to additional slowing. Fans are advised to use the Orem 800 North, Orem Center Street and University Avenue exits due to heavy congestion along University Parkway and closure of the southbound off-ramp at Provo Center Street.
Drivers not attending the game are encouraged to avoid travel along I-15 and local streets in Provo and Orem including State Street, University Parkway or University Avenue during pre- and post-game traffic.
UDOT will be working with Orem and Provo to monitor traffic cameras and coordinate signals to help keep vehicles moving. Priority will be given to routes funneling fans out of the city. UDOT will also send regular updates via Twitter, pre- and post-game text messages and local media to keep drivers informed of the best routes for getting around traffic heading to and from the stadium.
Drivers can stay informed about the latest I-15 CORE construction by signing up for regular email updates, becoming a fan of I-15 CORE on Facebook or Twitter, or subscribing to the I-15 CORE text service by texting “i15core” to 53535. For more information, visit udot.utah.gov/i15core.
I-15 CORE is reconstructing 24 miles of Interstate 15 in Utah County, approximately 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. When complete, the project will add two travel lanes in each direction, rebuild or replace 63 bridges and 10 freeway interchanges and completely replace the existing asphalt roadway with 40-year concrete pavement.
Writer: Leigh Dethman
