Clear roads promised to Fiesta Bowl

The Utah Department of Transportation promises any bad weather this week or weekend will not cause a traffic snarl on I-15 in the Cove Fort-Beaver area.

That was the case with a heavy snowfall at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend, when a foot of snow and 2-foot snowdrifts stymied traffic for hours along the 23-mile stretch from Cove Fort to Beaver and even forced a brief freeway closure.

UDOT is well aware many Wasatch Front residents may be planning to drive to Phoenix in time for Saturday's 6:30 p.m. kickoff to the Fiesta Bowl, at which the University of Utah (11-0) will attempt to complete a Cinderella football season with a win over Pittsburgh (8-3).

With more snow in the forecast, UDOT has brought in additional snowplows from other areas across the state. It also can use a special snowblower that was used to remove snow there during the Thanksgiving weekend.

"Depending on how severe these storms get, we will bring in more snowplows from other regions, and we won't be quite so reluctant to close the freeway," said UDOT spokesman Brent Wilhite.

"In that type of a situation, we are better off to close the freeway for a half an hour so the plows can clear the road and the people can get on their way."

The Arizona Department of Transportation also has some closures in effect that could affect Ute fans who want to take scenic side trips to or from the big game.

For example, State Route 67 going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed, as it always is in winter, because of heavy snowfall.

Also, heavy rain — 2.5 inches in a few hours — has closed Oak Creek Canyon (Highway 89A) Wednesday between Sedona and Flagstaff for an undetermined period. Rock and mudslides have damaged this scenic, winding road. I-17, the main route from Flagstaff to Phoenix, remains open.

The bus transporting the U. band, cheerleaders and Crimson Line to Phoenix hit the storm Wednesday in southern Utah and northern Arizona. Speaking via cell phone from the bus, Ryan Archbold said the weather was making the going rough between Flagstaff and Phoenix on I-17.

"It's snowing right now, and I've seen at least two cars on their side. One hit a tree, and there's an ambulance up on the side of the road," he said.

He cautioned Ute fans to be careful in their travels. "I hope everybody stays safe," Archbold said. "Go Utes."