This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Thanksgiving transportation outlook won't bring much thanks: heavy traffic delays are expected Wednesday; airport officials advise checking in two hours early because of big crowds; and transit options are reduced Thursday and Black Friday.
That comes as the most Thanksgiving travelers since 2007 are expected this week, according to the AAA travel services company. It projects 3.5 million Mountain West residents will travel 50 miles or more from home this week, up 1.5 percent from last year.
"This ongoing travel trend is spurred by improvements in the economy, increased consumer spending, and overall strength in consumer confidence," said AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough. "Mountain West residents are eager to travel and turn this four-day weekend into the most traveled holiday in the past nine years."
The Utah Department of Transportation warns motorists that because of travelers leaving early for the holiday, it expects heavy delays on Wasatch Front sections of Interstate 15 on Wednesday between noon and 6 p.m.
UDOT advises leaving early in the day or later in the evening to help reduce congestion.
On Thursday and Friday, UDOT expects heavy traffic on surface streets near shopping centers because of holiday specials, but believes freeways will be less busy.
Construction was recently completed on I-15 from Farr West to Brigham City, adding an additional lane in each direction, and UDOT says that should help travelers heading to Idaho or other northern destinations.
Most road construction projects will be suspended from Wednesday through Sunday, but existing lane restrictions and shifts will remain in place for some larger projects.
That includes lane narrowing and split lanes on the western belt loop of Interstate 215 from State Road 201 to 4700 South. The speed limit there has been reduced to 60 mph. Crews are reconstructing the freeway with new concrete, adding auxiliary lands and replacing bridges over S.R. 201.
On the eastern belt loop of I-215, the freeway has been reduced to two lanes in each direction at 6200 South as crews reconstruct bridge decks.
The Utah Highway Patrol has also advised that it will have 275 extra shifts this week to help keep freeways safe, and some overtime shifts will specifically target travelers who fail to wear seat belts.
The Salt Lake City International Airport also expects large holiday crowds and urges passengers to arrive two hours before their scheduled boarding to allow time to park, check bags and proceed through security points.
The airport has scheduled musicians to perform in terminals during peak periods to help travelers relax and enjoy the holiday.
The airport also advises travelers to check their airline's website to ensure their flight is on time and has not been delayed because of weather. It also encourages passengers to print or download boarding passes before leaving for the airport to speed check-in.
The airport reminds travelers about the "3-1-1" liquids rule by the Transportation Security Administration that allows passengers one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, creams, pastes and aerosols limited to 3.4 ounces per item.
The Utah Transit Authority will offer no regular-route bus, streetcar, TRAX or FrontRunner service on Thanksgiving Day. It will provide ski-bus service on a Sunday schedule, if resorts open, and bus service to Park City on a weekend schedule.
On Black Friday, UTA offers Saturday schedule service on most bus, streetcar, TRAX and FrontRunner lines. Ski-bus service will be on a Saturday schedule if resorts open. Buses to Park City will operate on a weekend schedule. More detailed schedules for routes are available online at rideuta.com.