Northbound Interstate 15 in Springville suddenly buckled Sunday evening, forcing troopers to shut down a busy stretch of freeway while emergency crews scrambled to shore up the damaged pavement. Drivers sat in traffic or hunted for alternate routes as workers rushed to stabilize the road and figure out how bad the problem was. Officials warned that some lanes would stay closed well into the night while patching and safety inspections continued.
According to KMYU, the Utah Highway Patrol closed northbound I-15 at 1400 North and initially estimated the full closure would last about 45 minutes. The Utah Department of Transportation planned to keep the HOV lane and lanes 1 and 2 shut down overnight so crews could continue repairs.
Why roads buckle in heat
Hot, dry summer weather can make concrete and asphalt expand, push against adjoining slabs, and eventually heave upward. That buckling can deform the surface or even expose rebar, which usually triggers quick closures so crews can keep drivers out of harm’s way. As reported by FOX13, a similar buckle shut down the left lanes of northbound I-15 in Salt Lake City in June.
Meteorologists say a persistent heat dome has been baking parts of Utah, pushing surface temperatures into the triple digits this month, as outlined by KSL.
Construction and repairs nearby
The Springville stretch of I-15 is already under the microscope as part of UDOT’s Springville-to-Spanish Fork improvement project, and crews recently opened the Dry Creek interchange in southern Utah County, according to the Daily Herald. With construction equipment and workers already staged in the corridor, drivers can expect overnight lane work and intermittent closures while the emergency repairs are wrapped up.
What drivers should know
Motorists heading through Utah County are being urged to check 511 or the UDOT traffic site for the latest closure details and to plan on delays while the work continues, per UDOT Traffic. Authorities asked drivers to steer clear of the area if they can and to follow posted detours until every lane is back open.
State and local crews worked through the night to stabilize the damaged pavement, and officials say they will keep monitoring the freeway and reopen lanes only after safety checks are complete. We will update this post as agencies release new information on reopening times and any detours that affect the corridor.
