ZION NATIONAL PARK (ABC4) — The Utah Department of Transportation has updated the road closures in Zion National Park after a rock fall.
On Wednesday, Zion- Mt. Carmel highway was partially closed due to a rockfall.
On Friday, UDOT updated the closures, so here is what you need to know if you have plans to head to the park.
SR-9 from Canyon Junction to East Entrance remains closed. Due to te size and scale of the rock fall, crews are having a more difficult time clearing the road.
The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway remains closed to through traffic until further notice.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is open to shuttles and lodge guests.
At this time, there is no estimated time of reopening for the road, but Zion National Park is working closely with UDOT to re-evaluate and will provide updates as they are able.
There is no further information available at this time.
Common road hazards
If it is raining, hydroplaning is a major hazard drivers will face, which happens when tires lose contact with the road because of water. It’s more common if your tires are worn down, and it also happens more often at higher rates of speed. Slowing down in the rain can help you avoid it, but if you do find yourself sliding, take your foot off the gas and turn into the slide.
On icy roads, you may also lose traction, and in that situation, you also want to take your foot off the gas. If your car has an anti-lock braking system, press down on the brake pedal firmly. Do not pump the brakes. Then, steer in the direction you want to go, and once the vehicle straightens out, counter-steer in the opposite direction.
Potholes can also be dangerous, especially when drivers try to swerve around a pothole and then get into an accident. If you see a pothole, you can carefully try to drive around it, but if you can’t, slow down.
Fog can also be a hazard, and if it’s extremely foggy, it’s best to avoid driving entirely. But if you can’t avoid it, then make sure you drive slowly and carefully, and do not turn your high beams on. High beams can actually make visibility worse in fog.
It’s also very common to encounter wildlife in the road, and that can range in size from a squirrel to an elk. It’s always important to be alert while driving in case an animal runs out into the roadway. With smaller animals, sometimes swerving to avoid them can be more dangerous than hitting them, whereas larger animals like deer or elk can cause significant damage to a vehicle and serious injuries in a crash.