The Utah Department of Transportation announced Friday that Alpine Loop and Mirrorle Lake Highway have officially reopened, marking the final seasonal road openings in the state ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
High-elevation road reopenings
The reopening provides access to high-elevation destinations for camping, hiking, and scenic drives. UDOT spokesperson John Gleason said the reopenings represent the unofficial start of summer but urged travelers to arrive safely and allow extra travel time.
Driving precautions for mountain roads
Drivers should remain prepared for changing conditions in higher elevations, including potential muddy areas in certain spots, according to the department.
Expected holiday weekend traffic delays
UDOT warned of significant travel delays on specific routes throughout the holiday weekend. On May 22 and May 25, eastbound Highway 40 from Heber to Duchesne is expected to see delays of up to 15 minutes between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., with peak delays occurring between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Additionally, US-6 in Spanish Fork Canyon could experience delays reaching up to 90 minutes during peak travel periods.
Construction pauses and lane updates
To help mitigate congestion, most UDOT construction projects will suspend work and open all lanes to traffic over the holiday. However, the department noted that certain existing lane restrictions or traffic shifts will remain in place to protect work zones and ensure safety.
Other currently open seasonal routes
Other seasonal roads already open include State Route 39, State Route 65, State Route 190, State Route 224, State Route 35, State Route 153, and State Route 148. For non-state-maintained routes like the Nebo Loop, UDOT advised drivers to check with agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service.
