Interstate 15 cuts through the northeast corner of Arizona (Mohave
County), separated from the rest of the state by the Grand
Canyon. It passes through the Virgin River Canyon, one of
the engineering marvels of the Interstate Highway System.
The entire highway was re-signed in 2006, as is reflected
in many of the following photos.
Perspective from Northbound Interstate 15
Interstate 15 enters the Grand Canyon state of Arizona
just after the second Mesquite exit (Exit 122, Junction
Business Loop I-15 and Nevada 144). A familiar Welcome
to Arizona sign is placed near the state line. Photo taken
March 10, 2007.
The speed limit on Interstate 15 in Arizona remains
75 miles per hour initially, but that changes once the
freeway enters the Virgin River Gorge ten miles northeast
of here. Photo taken 10/24/03.
Interstate 15 is designated as the Veterans Memorial
Highway, as indicated by this sign. Photo taken March
10, 2007.
The most important exit along Interstate 15 in Arizona
is Exit 8, Junction Mohave County Route 91. Mohave County
Route 91 follows the Old U.S. 91 alignment along the Virgin
River south to Mesquite, and it bypasses the Virgin River
Gorge by following a circuitous route to the northwest,
entering Utah to the southwest of St. George. This exit
serves the town of Littlefield and features some amenities,
but not as many as Mesquite. Photo taken March 10, 2007.
Distance sign to Littlefield, St. George and Salt Lake
City. This sign was added in 2006. Photo taken March 10,
2007.
Commercial traffic is not allowed to take Exit 8 through
Littlefield, but must stay on Interstate 15 until reaching
the combined Utah/Arizona Port of Entry at exit 1 in Utah.
Photo taken March 10, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 15 at Junction Mohave County Route
91, Littlefield and Beaver Dam. Photo taken March 10,
2007.
The only Mohave County Route 91 shield is located on
the offramp from northbound Interstate 15. Photo taken
10/24/03.
Northbound Interstate 15 approaching Exit 9, Desert
Springs. This exit was originally named Farm Road until
the new signs were placed in 2006. First photo taken 10/24/03,
second photo taken March 10, 2007.
Most Interstate 15 shields located in Arizona contain
the state name, including this (now relocated) shield
located between Exits 8 and 9. Photo taken 10/24/03.
Northbound Interstate 15 at Exit 9, Desert Springs.
There are no facilities or services available at this
exit; the next services are located in St. George, Utah.
First photo taken 10/24/03, second photo taken March 10,
2007.
This Interstate 15 reassurance marker replaced
the one shown previously, before exit 9. This sign is
unusual, as it is not to ADOT specifications (the gap
between the route number and state name is the giveaway),
but possibly to 1979 federal standards. Photo taken March
10, 2007.
This
mileage sign, located along northbound Interstate 15,
formerly included a blank space for what was a rest area.
The rest area may have been closed for several reasons,
including budget reductions and distance from the populated
areas of the state of Arizona. The next rest area along
northbound is the Utah Welcome Center (Exit 2 in that
state). This picture was taken from the offramp to Exit
9, and has since been replaced by the second sign pictured.
First photo taken 10/24/03, second photo taken March 10,
2007.
Pictures of Virgin River Gorge
These pictures show various perspectives of northbound Interstate 15 as it passes through the Virgin River Canyon. Signs marking the entrance to the canyon are placed immediately after Exit 9, and the speed limit decreases to reflect the changed driving conditions. Since Interstate 15 both north and south of the canyon passes through generally wide open areas, the narrow canyons and sharper than normal curves provide some variation along the drive from Mesquite to St. George.
The Virgin River Gorge is located on the Arizona Strip (land between the Grand Canyon and the Arizona-Utah State Line) and is a popular recreation destination. Camping, hiking, and day-use activities may be launched from the Cedar Pocket exit (Exit 18). The river passes between the Virgin Mountains on the east and Beaver Dam Mountains on the west. For more information on the geology and geography of this area, visit Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness.
The Virgin River Gorge section of Interstate 15 was
constructed in phases through the 1960s and 1970s, and
it opened in 1973 (see Interstate
Highway System Engineering Marvels (FHWA)). This
section of Interstate 15 was considered the most expensive
section of Interstate highway ever constructed, at least
until the "Big Dig" was completed in 2003, which carries
Interstate 93 under downtown Boston. A current construction
project around Milepost 14-16 at the time these pictures
were taken was to replace the concrete bridge decks
on three southbound bridges across the Virgin River
and repave the bridge approaches. The detour for this
construction zone involved using U.S. 93, Nevada 319,
and Utah 56 from near Glendale to Cedar City via Panaca.
Photos taken 10/24/03 and 3/10/07.
The first exit after entering the gorge is Exit 18,
Cedar Pocket. There are no services available here, but
the Bureau
of Land Management offers recreational opportunities
here. Photo taken 3/10/07.
Northbound Interstate 15 opens out as it leaves the
most dramatic portion of the Virgin River Gorge. Photo
taken 10/24/03.
Exit 18 provides access to the Virgin River Gorge Recreation
Area, which features a campground, picnic area, hiking
trails, access to the Paiute Wilderness Area, access to
the Beaver Dam Wilderness Area, and access to the Virgin
River itself. The Virgin River passes through some of
the most dramatic scenery in the West, including Zion
National Park. Photo taken 3/10/07.
Red rock cuts such as this one become more common as
Interstate 15 heads toward the colorful country of southern
Utah. Photo taken 10/24/03.
Northbound Interstate 15 at Exit 18, Cedar Pocket. This
exit provides the primary access to camping and hiking
within the Virgin River Gorge, which includes the Paiute
and Beaver Dam Wilderness Areas. Photo taken 3/10/07.
Interstate 15 Arizona shield after the Cedar Pocket
exit (Exit 18). Photo taken 10/24/03.
Mileage sign along northbound for the next two destinations
(Bloomington and St. George) as well as the control city
of Salt Lake City. First photo taken 10/24/03, second
photo taken 3/10/07.
This magnificent view is located after the Cedar Pocket
interchange along northbound. Photo taken 10/24/03.
Another spectacular vista along northbound in the northern
edge of the Virgin River Gorge. Photo taken 10/24/03.
Interstate 15 remains somewhat narrow through the gorge,
with a jersey barrier and fence separating the two directions
of traffic. Photo taken 10/24/03.
Now leaving the gorge, the speed limit returns to 75
miles per hour. Photo taken 10/24/03.
The final Arizona exit along northbound Interstate 15
is Exit 27, Black Rock Road. Note the powerline, which
carries electricity generated by the fossil fuel power
plants located in the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona.
Photo taken 3/10/07.
Northbound Interstate 15 at Exit 27, Black Rock Road.
Photo taken 3/10/07.
Distance sign to St. George, Cedar City and Salt Lake
City. This distance sign was added as part of the 2006
sign replacement project. Photo taken 3/10/07.
Advance signage for the Utah/Arizona Port of Entry,
Exit 1. This sign replaced a sign placed by the state
of Utah. Photo taken 3/10/07.
All commercial vehicles must exit at the Port of Entry,
at exit 1. Photo taken 3/10/07.
This mileage sign is still within Arizona but was placed
by the state of Utah. Photo taken 10/24/03.
