Utah DOT blames truckers who skipped chain-up stations for I-80 traffic problems this week

The Utah Department of Transportation is blaming truck drivers who skipped chain-up stations for traffic issues during Wednesday’s winter storm. 

UDOT says that multiple semi trucks drove right past the designated chain-up area on Interstate 80 near Mountain Dell, Utah through Parley’s Canyon on Wednesday February 18th. 

According to 2 KUTV, the trucks without chains spun out and blocked lanes, creating hours-long delays for anyone else looking to pass through the area. Transportation officials say there are there are clearly posted chain-up warning signs along the route. 

“It’s been really hard. Evanston to Salt Lake City — huge downhill, very bad. Too much snow and too many accidents,” one trucker told KUTV at a truck stop on Wednesday night.

“It’s about an hour and a half [to install chains] if you’re not used to doing it, maybe two hours the first time,” he said.

“We’ve seen multiple issues today with semi drivers bypassing that chain law sign, which causes major traffic hazards, people getting stuck behind those semis,” Trooper George Pierpont said.

Troopers were posted near the chain-up area, and issued at least 20 citations to drivers who skipped the station during the storm on Wednesday. These citations can cost up to $1,000 in fines, with doubled penalties if the vehicle ends up blocking traffic due to lack of chain compliance.