Salt Lake City, UT – As snow showers continue and Arctic air deepens across northern Utah during the upcoming Winter season, transportation officials are warning drivers in Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden to be cautious as bridges and overpasses freeze faster than nearby roads.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because they’re surrounded by cold air above and below, allowing heat to dissipate more quickly than from roads connected to the ground. “Even if main highways look wet, bridges can already be icy,” the NWS cautioned Friday.
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) pretreats major routes including I-15, I-80, and US-89, applying brine and salt mixtures to elevated spans, ramps, and overpasses. Officials urge drivers to reduce speed before bridges, maintain steady steering, and avoid sharp braking or acceleration. Black ice — thin and nearly invisible — remains one of Utah’s most dangerous winter hazards, particularly in shaded canyons and open highway overpasses.
Up-to-date travel information is available at udottraffic.utah.gov or by following @UDOTTRAFFIC for real-time alerts and road conditions statewide.
