ST. GEORGE — With high-profile events taking place in Las Vegas this weekend, travelers are finding traffic woes by Littlefield and the under-construction bridge on Interstate 15 in Arizona.
Travelers in both northbound and southbound lanes have been at stop-and-go pace, with congestion backing up for more than one mile.
Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire District Battalion Chief Andre Ojeda said the extra traffic from events in Las Vegas has caused medium to severe traffic congestion, especially in the southbound lanes of Interstate 15.
Surprisingly, only one vehicular collision was reported yesterday afternoon, he said.
“It happened during the worst of the traffic backup,” Ojeda said. “At about milepost 12 in the Gorge.”
Ojeda said the incident involved five vehicles, but nobody was severely injured and all refused medical transport. He said the cars received extensive damage and the cause was from lack of paying attention while driving.
One of the main events causing extra traffic is the March Madness NCAA Tournament play at the T-Mobile Arena on Thursday and Friday nights.
Allegiant Stadium will be hosting another high-profile event Saturday night as music star Taylor Swift will be performing. She performed a sold-out concert last night as well. According to Las Vegas Review-Journal, the sold-out concerts had thousands of visitors waiting hours to just buy souvenirs.
Other events include the Las Vegas Sneaker Convention, the first residency concert of Maroon 5, the last residence concert of Adele, a performance from The Undertaker of WWE: Friday Night Smackdown and John Mellencamp making a special appearance at the Wynn.
“You need to add an additional at least 45 minutes if headed through here,” Ojeda said. “Some people are traveling through Old Highway 91, which has helped.”
Ojeda said when traffic gets like this drivers need to take extra caution and keep full attention on driving.
He noted the traffic will return on Sunday until Monday afternoon due to people traveling home.
The southbound lanes saw traffic backed as far as Cedar Pocket, milepost 18. The northbound lanes have been reported as stalled as far as one mile from the bridge, nearby milepost 8 exit for Littlefield/Beaver Dam.
“As you travel this weekend, especially home, pay attention,” Ojeda said. “We want everyone to get home or wherever they are going safely.”
The bridge construction project is scheduled to be completed by May 2024.
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