A single lane of traffic is scheduled to be allowed on this section of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway beginning Wednesday evening/NPS file

One lane of the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which was partially closed earlier this month by a storm that undercut a section of pavement in Zion National Park, was to reopen Wednesday evening, but with limitations.

The eastern half of the highway, which is the only access via the eastern side of Zion, was closed the evening of March 2 after heavy rains undercut the road. One lane of the road is scheduled to temporarily reopen at 5 p.m. Wednesday. However, due to safety concerns, buses and RV’s are still prohibited.

The road will be a single lane around the damaged area and will be managed by a traffic signal. Visitors should obey traffic signals and expect delays. Vehicles sized 7’10’’ in width or 11’4’’ in height, or larger, will not be allowed on the road between Canyon Junction and the park’s East Entrance. As road repairs progress, the entire road may close periodically.

For oversized vehicles (buses and RV’s), alternate east and west driving routes are available via Highway 59 from Hurricane, Utah, to Fredonia, Arizona, and Highway 14 from Cedar City, Utah, to Long Valley Junction and Highway 89. People coming from Interstate 15 to the park may access Zion as usual by traveling east on State Route 9 through Springdale.

All canyoneering routes on the east side will remain accessible for permitted activities. However, permits will not be issued when road closures are required.

“Visitors need to reduce their speed throughout the switchbacks, drive with care, and be alert for falling rocks,” said park spokeswoman Aly Baltrus. “We are going to try to keep the road open as much as we can, but it is a tight space and we will need to get construction vehicles and materials in and out too. There is also additional precipitation in the forecast.”