SALT LAKE CITY — Snow falling throughout Utah Wednesday morning caused road closures and warnings from the state's Department of Transportation.
U.S. Highway 91 was closed through Sardine Canyon for about two hours due to a jack-knifed truck. After closing around 8 a.m., the highway was reopened just at 10 a.m.
UDOT placed traction restrictions on traffic on State Roads 190 and 210, requiring drivers to have chains and 4x4 vehicles to travel through portions of Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon.
#RoadUpdate ‼️ #SlideOff in #SR190 MP 9. Slow down, drive with caution if you are headed up the #CottonwoodCanyons today as road conditions are slick. The traction law is in effect, make sure you have chains/snow tires mounted on all wheels and good tread depth on your tires.‼️ pic.twitter.com/qHYhthsSOH
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) November 11, 2020
It’s early in the season, so the temperature of the roads are still warm, so snow isn’t going to stick as much, but that doesn’t mean conditions aren’t slushy and slick.
“Make sure you give yourself plenty of extra distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you,” said UDOT spokesperson John Gleason. “Make sure that your car is equipped with proper tread on the tires, change into snow tires if you need to, make sure that your windshield wiper blades are ready to go. Just all of those steps that we all need to take to make sure that we get to where we’re going safely this winter.”
#RoadWeatherAlert 🚨The traction law is now in effect for both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Looks like more than a few people were doing the snow dance ❄️ this AM! Make sure you’re properly equipped with traction devices before heading up.🚨 #SR190 #SR210 @UDOTTRAFFIC pic.twitter.com/5xHxNjqVIx
— UDOT Cottonwood Canyons (@UDOTcottonwoods) November 11, 2020
Gleason reminds drivers that this is only the first of the snow this week as we’re expected to get more winter weather into the weekend and especially more precipitation in the mountains.
UDOT has dozens of plows working in northern Utah, mainly in Box Elder and Cache Counties.
If you haven't put on your snow tires and prepped your car for winter, it may be a good idea to make an appointment with your local auto shop. Many of them have been swamped recently as winter weather sets in.
