Heavy traffic expected in the valley this weekend due to Garth Brooks concert

Rice Eccles Stadium, home of the Utah High School Football Championships. Photo: courtesy of the University of Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Ahead of the Garth Brooks Concert this weekend, UDOT and UTA are advising travelers to plan ahead for traffic and reduce congestion by taking transit to the concert at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18. Heavy traffic is expected on local streets including Foothill Drive, 400 South and 500 South as well as I-80 in eastern Salt Lake County beginning as early as 3 p.m. each day and continuing until midnight.

UDOT traffic engineers will be adjusting nearby signals to help traffic flowing to the stadium prior to the event. UDOT is also suspending work on four nearby construction projects during both nights to minimize traffic delays. Other area roads that are expected to see heavier than normal traffic include I-15 from 600 North to the I-215 interchange in Midvale, the I-215 east and south belts, and SR-201.

Attendees can utilize public transportation as Garth Brooks tickets will be valid as free fare on UTA all day for the date listed on the ticket, and UTA will provide extra service on Friday and Saturday. From three hours prior to the concert until 90 minutes before Brooks takes the stage, TRAX trains heading from Draper to the stadium will run on a 15-minute schedule. Red Line TRAX trains leaving Central Pointe for the stadium will be on a 7-minute schedule starting two and a half hours before the concert up to 10 minutes prior to the concert.

On Saturday TRAX will once again offer 15-minute service from Draper beginning 3 hours before the concert up until 40 minutes prior to the start of the music. There will once again be 7-minute service on the Red Line from Fashion Place to the stadium starting two and a half hours before the concert up until 10 minutes prior to the concert.

The best FrontRunner connections will be from Murray Central (transferring to the Red Line) or Salt Lake Central (transferring to Direct UTA buses for service before and after the event). Extra rail service will be provided each night after both concerts. For more information on taking transit to the concert, individuals can visit this link.

Drivers should plan ahead, allow extra travel time and avoid these areas if possible.