Mesquite, NV, July 2nd @ 11:25 am PACIFIC-

Yesterday, the Northbound lanes were backed up about 30 miles from about mm 113, where the lanes diverge into one lane from two. Today, it is showing signs of the same traffic situation.

The mm 112 is already starting to see the backup up onto the Mormon Mesa and back towards Moapa Valley. Yesterday, multiple people reported 3-1/2 hours to 4 hours to get from Las Vegas to Mesquite. Expect the same today. People were getting impatient and driving off the freeway following off-road trails and getting stuck.

Currently, the Bridge at Beaver Dam is only a short wait of 5-15 minutes to get through, but it too is starting to see more congestion as the day goes on.

Yesterday, on the Arizona side, at the Virgin River Bridge Project at the Beaver Dam/Littlefield exit. The project continues with it being one lane on both NB and SB sides of I-15. The NB takes longer due to merging the NB on-ramp from Beaver Dam and Littlefield. Many travelers are getting off at Exit 122 in Mesquite and going up Hillside Drive to Beaver Dam to try and get back on the I-15 and bypass the traffic jam.

This last week, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Hwy Patrol, and Arizona Department of Transportation Enforcement were pulling over and ticketing semi-truckers who were illegally taking Old Hwy 91 as trucks have a weight limit to travel on Old Hwy 91.

A new location with traffic jams appeared yesterday on the radar in Southern Utah. The traffic jam was on UT-14, just up Cedar Canyon from Cedar City. The road was backed up from the Duck Creek area all the way down to Woods Ranch within miles of Cedar City. Today, it is less congestion but still present. Expect significant delays if heading up to the cool mountain air and the great outdoors.

The weather is still parched and hot. A Red Flag is in place for Fire Risk. Make plans to have plenty of water and gasoline for the extra time. Also, check your tires. There even was a report of a traveler with a deceased dog due to not being prepared for the heat and traffic congestion yesterday, so be prepared!

Alternative Route for NB includes following Highway 93 to Crystal Springs, NV, and on to Caliente, NV. Turn on NV Route 319 into UT 56 and onto Cedar City, Utah, where you can get back on I-15. For Southbound, follow those steps in reverse.

The best times to travel with less traffic are early in the morning before 8:00 am Pacific and in the evenings after 10:00 pm Pacific. However, yesterday, the Northbound lanes by mm 112 Bunkerville were still backed up until after midnight.

Stay connected with NDOT online at www.dot.nv.gov and follow @NevadaDOT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Please be careful, respectful, and considerate of others when merging. Drive the posted speed limits and travel safely!