Construction and returning holiday traffic clogged a stretch of I-15 from Payson to Lehi on Monday, causing a delay of several hours for travelers, Utah Highway Patrol of-fi-cials said.
A handful of minor accidents on the Utah County portion of I-15 further delayed traffic that already had slowed to less than 20 mph at 5:30 p.m. The initial delay was attributed to road construction projects that restricted traffic in at least two areas.By dark, the situation had worsened and drivers were forced to come to a complete stop in many areas, travelers and UHP dispatchers reported.
Dispatchers attributed the congestion to substantial Memorial Day traffic and lanes restricted by construction at several locations. While crews were not working at the construction sites Monday, the lanes remained closed, forcing traffic into two-lane or single-lane routes.
"It's so backed up, it's a four- to six-hour wait," a Utah Highway Patrol dispatcher said Monday evening.
At points throughout the highway and interstate system, public safety dispatchers reported little evidence of delays like that found in Utah County.
"It's been boring," said a dispatcher in the Richfield UHP office.
"The traffic has increased," a Price UHP dispatcher said. "There are lots of cars with boats behind them coming through here."