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District Briefs
from Interchange – January 2023
by WYDOT
Headquarters
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded $41.2 million in contracts for nine Wyoming Department of Transportation construction projects during its December 15 regular business meeting.
The commission conditionally awarded a nearly $17.96 million bid to Casperbased Oftedal Construction, Inc. for a project involving grading, traffic control, drainage, electrical, concrete, sidewalk and curb and gutter work on approximately 0.6 mile at various locations within Sheridan County. The bid is conditionally awarded pending concurrence by the City of Sheridan. If approved, the contracted completion date is November 30, 2024.
The commission awarded a $7.47 million bid to Cheyenne-based Reiman Corp. for a project involving paving, structure replacement, grading, milling, traffic control and other work on about 8 miles of Wyoming Highway 223 in Laramie County.
S & S Builders, LLC, based out of Gillette, was awarded a $2.72 million bid for a project involving bridge rehabilitation, paving, concrete work, traffic control and other work in various locations within Fremont and Park Counties.
The above two projects have a contracted completion date of November 30, 2023.
Lovell-based Mountain Construction Company was awarded a $7.12 million bid for a project involving paving, grading, traffic control and other work on 8.7 miles of US Highway 14A in Big Horn County.
The commission awarded a $5.52 million bid to Afton-based Avail Valley Construction-WY, LLC, for a project involving paving, traffic control, structure rehabilitation, milling, chip seal and other work on 5.3 miles of US Highway 26/US Highway 287 in Teton County.
Worland-based McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co. was awarded a $2.04 million bid for a project involving paving, erosion control, traffic control, chip seal and other work on approximately 5 miles on Wyoming Highway 431 (Gooseberry Creek Road) in Washakie County.
The above three projects have a contracted completion date of June 30, 2024.
Cheyenne-based Knife River was awarded a $2.27 million bid for a project involving paving, traffic control, grading, milling, chip seal and other work on about 2.3 miles of US Highway 26/Wyoming Highway 789 in Fremont County.
S & S Builders was also awarded an almost $1.37 million bid for a project involving work on the Catchnet structure system, grading, traffic control and other work on US Highway 16 in Johnson County.
Advanced Electrical Contracting, Inc., based out of Sheridan, was awarded a $679,743 bid for a project involving electrical work, concrete paving, sidewalk work, curb and gutter, traffic control, grading, striping and other work at the interchange of Interstate 80 and Wyoming Highway 150 (Front Street) in Uinta County.
The above three projects have a contracted completion date of October 31, 2023.
All of this month’s awarded projects are primarily funded with Federal dollars. Almost all WYDOT projects are awarded to the lowest bidder. Emergency relief order for propane delivery
CHEYENNE – Gov. Mark Gordon signed an executive order to allow motor carriers delivering propane to operate outside the regular operating daylight hours.
Under the emergency relief order issued by the governor, a state of emergency exists in Wyoming for the prompt delivery of propane. This emergency requires that propane transportation and delivery within the State of Wyoming be exempt from 49 CFR 395.3.
However, nothing contained in this order shall be construed as an exemption from the controlled substances, alcohol use and testing requirements (49 CFR 382), the commercial driver’s license requirements (49 CFR 383), the financial responsibility requirements (49 CFR 387), applicable size and weight requirements, or any other portion of the regulations not specifically identified in this order.
While under this order, propane transportation or delivery companies shall not require or allow any fatigued driver to operate a propane delivery vehicle. A driver who informs a carrier that they need immediate rest shall be given adequate rest before the driver is required to return to service.
This order will expire no later than midnight, January 14, 2023. Governor Gordon bans TikTok on state devices due to cybersecurity concerns
CHEYENNE – Gov. Mark Gordon has announced a ban on TikTok from all state electronic devices and networks to address cybersecurity concerns that have been raised by the app’s foreign ownership and the potential influence of foreign governments.
In a memo addressed to all state employees, the Governor directed that TikTok will be permanently removed and access blocked, from all state government electronic devices and networks. This ban extends to all state-issued cell phones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers and other information technology equipment capable of internet connectivity.
“Maintaining robust cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and Wyoming is committed to identifying threats that could impact public safety,” Governor Gordon said. “The potential for foreign governments to access information collected by TikTok is extremely troubling.”
The Governor’s announcement means Wyoming joins at least 12 other states that have banned TikTok from state devices.
The Governor’s memo also directs the State’s Enterprise Technology Services, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security and the Wyoming Information Analysis Team to conduct a coordinated review of
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Briefs continued from page 3 any other technology-based threats posed to state government networks. Private donations help fund WYDOT wildlife project on I-25
CHEYENNE – Recent fundraising and monetary donations will help the Wyoming Department of Transportation complete a critical wildlife project on Interstate 25.
The project has received more than $300,000 in donations, thanks in part to recent fundraising efforts through the WYldlife Fund and Muley Fanatic Foundation, including donations from the Knobloch Family Foundation, Williams Energy Foundation, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, among others.
The donations will be used to help fund approximately 15 miles of 8-foot tall wildlife fencing along both northbound and southbound lanes of I-25 between Buffalo and Kaycee. The fencing will help guide animals, like mule deer, to safe places to cross the busy interstate.
“The WYldlife Fund is committed to advancing wildlife crossing projects throughout Wyoming,” said Chris McBarnes, president of the WYldlife Fund. “These projects are proven to immediately impact wildlife in a positive way while keeping drivers on the go. Wyoming is leading the way when it comes to the implementation of wildlife crossings and we will continue to do our part to make sure this doesn’t change.”
The fencing project was recently awarded by the Wyoming Transportation Commission to Mills-based King Enterprises, with an expected completion date of November 2024. The total cost of the project is about $4.4 million.
“Wildlife projects like this one are certainly an example of the exemplary partnership between our agency and other public and private stakeholders,” said Luke Reiner, WYDOT director. “Our sincerest thank you to all who donated to help such a worthy cause.”
Key stakeholders in this project include the Wyoming Game and Fish and Transportation Commissions, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust, advocacy groups like the WYldlife Fund and the Muley Fanatic Foundation and other private donors.
Beyond donating directly to specific projects, another way to contribute toward wildlife infrastructure around the state is by purchasing a Wildlife Conservation license plate. More information and application instructions can be found on WYDOT’s website.
District 1
Wyoming Highway Patrol investigated fatality of EMT personnel
RAWLINS – On December 21, 2022, a fatal crash occurred at milepost 197 westbound on Interstate 80 west of Rawlins. At 3:55 a.m., Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers were notified of a two vehicle crash involving a semi-tractor with trailer and a pickup truck pulling a small enclosed trailer.
At approximately 4:15 a.m., first responders were attending to possible injuries involved in the initial crash. While first responders were on scene, a 2019 Freightliner semi-tractor with trailer struck the two first responders and collided with the rear of an ambulance. One of the first responders was critically injured and the other sustained fatal injuries.
The first responder, a member of the ambulance service on scene, who sustained fatal injuries was identified as 29-year-old Tyeler Harris of Saratoga, Wyoming. The driver of the tractor-trailer that crashed into the original incident scene has been identified as Saviol Saint Gean, of Brooklyn, New York. Driver inattention is being investigated as a possible contributing factor of the crash. WHP and Laramie County Fire District No. 2 hosted a child seat safety check station
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Highway Patrol and Laramie County Fire District No. 2 held a free child seat safety check station event December 17.
The event was held at Laramie County Fire District No. 2 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Child seats were available at no
cost to those in need, as supplies lasted. Troopers and firefighters also checked for proper installation of child seats being currently used by parents or guardians who were seeking clarification on proper installation.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 59 percent of child seats are incorrectly installed in vehicles. Wyoming law enforcement arrest three during the Border War Operation 2022
LARAMIE – Law enforcement agencies in Laramie and Albany counties made 108 traffic stops, arrested three impaired drivers and made one arrest for controlled substances during the Border War Impaired Driving Enforcement Operation on Nov. 12.
Since 2015, law enforcement in Wyoming and Colorado have teamed up as part of a multi-state impaired driving enforcement operation. For the 114th Border War game, traffic enforcement was concentrated on US 287, Interstate 25 and Interstate 80, to and from the game that was played in Fort Collins this year.
Wyoming law enforcement in Laramie and Albany counties also issued 25 speeding citations, three seatbelt citations, 40 other citations and issued 54 warnings.
The weather was not a factor in southeastern Wyoming during the operation nor were there any fatal crashes reported during the operation.
Agencies involved in Wyoming included the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Laramie Police Department, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, University of Wyoming Police Department, Laramie County Sheriff’s Office and the Cheyenne Police Department. Parsley Bridge open to live traffic
CHEYENNE – Crews with Reiman, Corp. and the Wyoming Department of Transportation opened the Parsley Bridge to live traffic on Nov. 22.
Numerous hits from commercial truck traffic on Interstate 80 in past years have caused several closures and frequent repairs to the bridge. The new bridge has an increased clearance height above I-80 which should mitigate future collisions and closures at this location.
Due to weather and material delays this season, there may be brief closures in 2023 for some minor adjustments. All structural work has been completed.
District 2
Salt Creek Highway reopened
CASPER – WYO 254, better known as Salt Creek Highway, was recently reopened to traffic where it intersects with West Yellowstone Highway. Work on the bridge over Casper Creek was sufficiently completed to open the road to traffic.
The traffic signal at the intersection is again live after several months of flashing yellow for those traversing Yellowstone Highway.
A look facing south over the WYO 254 bridge to the West Yellowstone Highway intersection.
Photo: WYDOT
District 3
JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation reopened all lanes on the Snake River bridge north of the Hoback Junction. The new lane configuration includes two lanes for northbound traffic from the Hoback Junction to Jackson, two lanes for southbound traffic from Jackson to the Snake River bridge, and one lane past the bridge to the Hoback Junction. Crews will return later this spring for punchlist items to complete the work.
The project is the second half of a broader corridor improvement project between the Hoback Junction and Jackson on US 26/89/189/191. The work included paving and a bridge replacement, concrete retaining walls, pathways and wildlife crossings as well as miscellaneous work north of the Hoback Junction.
New lanes open on Snake River bridge north of Hoback Junction. N Street Bridge closed for inspection
ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation restricted access to the N Street bridge near the Rock Springs Civic Center on Dec. 13 and again on Dec. 14 for routine bridge inspection work. Crews needed to close the bridge to motorists to mobilize equipment, crews and to perform drilling work to collect core samples for evaluation.
Residents of the area and local traffic were able to access the surrounding neighborhoods and driveways, but through traffic was advised to find an alternate route or detour to Pearl Street.
Restricted access to the N Street bridge while inspections took place.
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