For Immediate Release

BRIDGE CLOSURE: SR-95 Bridge West of Blanding Bridge

Evaluation Underway for Main Route to Lake Powell from Eastern Utah.

San Juan County, Utah (August 4, 2021) – The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has closed the Cottonwood Wash Bridge approximately 8.5 miles west of Blanding on State Route 95 near milepost 115 until further notice.

A routine general inspection of the bridge has revealed potential issues with erosion that has prompted further evaluation by a structural engineering team that will be at the site this morning.

Travelers in Southeastern Utah with destinations west of Blanding, Such as Lake Powell, The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Natural Bridges or Bears Ears National Monuments are advised to choose alternate routes suitable to their type of vehicle. Freight trucks and vehicles that are towing trailers, boats or other vehicles are advised to use I-70 and SR-24 through Hanksville as the best alternative route at this time.

Due to limited services, access, road types and the distances involved in a remote area, motorists are urged to plan ahead if venturing into the area. Do not rely solely on GPS systems or phone applications for road directions.

The duration of the bridge closure is undetermined at this time pending the structural evaluation.

For the latest on Utah road and traffic conditions please visit udottraffic.utah.gov or check the UDOT Traffic App <https://udot.utah.gov/connect/current-conditions/>.