Traffic delays are anticipated when participants in the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah ride through Zion National Park on Aug. 1 in a cycling demonstration. The demonstration is in recognition of the Centennial Anniversary of the National Park Service and will start west of the park at Zion Canyon Village at 7:55 a.m. Bikers will follow a pace car east on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, through the Zion Tunnel, and out the east entrance of the park by 9:15 a.m.
The public is advised of the following traffic closures related to the event:
—A section of State Route 9 from Zion Canyon Village to the intersection of Floor of the Valley Road in Zion will be closed to all traffic from 7:50 to 8:15 a.m. Motorists should be through the south gate of Zion National Park before 7:45 a.m. The south gate to the park is expected to reopen by 8:15 a.m.
—The east gate of Zion National Park will be closed to all traffic from approximately 7 to 9:15 a.m., and westbound traffic will be held at Mount Carmel Junction as the race will utilize State Route 9 from Zion Canyon Village to U.S. Route 89.
—U.S. Route 89 will be impacted by the race from 9 to 10 a.m. from Mount Carmel Junction until the race turns onto State Highway 14. Delays are expected with a rolling road closure for these 22 miles. Traffic is permitted to follow behind the race traveling north on U.S. Route 89. No passing is permitted. Traveling south on U.S. Route 89, traffic will be stopped and delayed 15–20 minutes as the race approaches and passes.
“The coincidence of the Tour of Utah and the National Park Service Centennial in 2016 offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the park’s remarkable landscape and helps promote the NPS Centennial goal to connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates”, said superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh. “The Tour of Utah demonstration ride through Zion National Park is a unique opportunity for the National Park Service to highlight alternative transportation opportunities and to promote exercise and outdoor recreation.”
The park has worked closely with the Tour of Utah to eliminate or substantially reduce potential environmental impacts, safety concerns, and effects on visitor use. An early morning start time has been set for when visitation is historically low and roadway closures would have the least effect on visitor access to the park. Spectators are asked to use areas outside the park at Zion Canyon Village and east of the park on State Route 9 as park roads are narrow, winding, and steep, presenting safety concerns and limited safe viewing locations.
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Springdale didn’t want this event and had it forced down their throat by state and national Utah politicians and others outside the community and perhaps some inside the community who felt their wishes had not been supported. Supporting activities such as this in our area is important but not when it causes problems and goes against the will of the majority.
Nice misleading photo of backed up traffic SUI. You could have at least used one of the daily summer backups in Springdale.
So the entrance to the park was closed for 17 minutes, causing just 8 vehicles to wait while they watched a world class event start on private property, proceed onto a state highway, and then cruise so beautifully through one of our national treasures, producing spectacular video that will be shown around the world. What an awesome event that according to “beacon” was forced down Springdale’s throat. While the city council did vote against hosting the TOU as a town sponsored and endorsed event, the National Park, TOU and other organizers did such a great job in planning an executing the start of Stage 1 that the only “problems caused” as beacon referred to were those 8 vehicles of tourists who had to wait and enjoy the beauty of Zion and world class tour riders for a few short minutes. Great job ZNP, TOU and all others who made this event happen!