District Briefs

Headquarters

WYDOT to remove eight Twitter accounts due to API policy changes, fees

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation is removing eight of its Twitter accounts after the social media platform recently announced changes to its application programming interface platform.

The API platform allowed WYDOT to send automated tweets straight from the agency’s 511 tools, including travel alerts, crash alerts and road closure information. Twitter has recently announced changes to its API platform, including limiting the number of tweets per hour and implementing a fee system for those accounts.

“WYDOT’s accounts were created to give the public real-time updates on winter storms, crashes and other travel impacts,” said Vince Garcia, WYDOT Geographic Information Systems/ Intelligent Transportation System program manager. “So not only would the state have to pay a fee for each account, but we have concerns that the updates about rapidly changing conditions will be so limited that they will fail to reach the people who need them.”

Fortunately, the same information is readily available to the public for free through WYDOT’s 511 Notify system and other 511 tools.

Users who follow the automated WYDOT accounts – @WYDOT_Central, @WYDOT_Northwest, @WYDOT_ Southwest, @WYDOT_Southeast, @WYDOT_Northeast, @WYDOT_I80, @WYDOT_I90, @WYDOT_I25 – are encouraged to sign up for 511 Notify to continue to receive important road and weather condition information and alerts. The information will be the same, but it will be delivered as an email or text message rather than a tweet. The same information is also available via WYDOT’s 511 app, Wyoming 511, and the 511 travel information website, www. wyoroad.info

WYDOT will continue to monitor Twitter’s API policy and will consider reinstating the accounts in the future.

“Statistically, WYDOT’s Twitter accounts are the least-used tool that we offer for road and travel information,” Garcia said.

Accounts that are not automated, including @WYDOTNews, will remain active.

District 1

Temporary closure on CR 203/Brush Creek Road near Riverside

RAWLINS – Crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation temporarily closed a portion of county road 203/Brush Creek Road on April 26. The closure was to perform geologic operations. The temporary closure was anticipated to last one day.

Bridge rehab project on I-25 in Cheyenne

CHEYENNE – Crews with S & S Builders and the Wyoming Department of Transportation began a bridge rehabilitation project on Interstate 25 in Cheyenne on April 3.

The bridge rehab is at milepost 9.4 in both north and southbound lanes. Work includes hydro demolition, expansion joint repairs, latex overlay, pedestal repairs, bearing device modifications, column repairs and minor slab replacements. A 12-foot width restriction will be in place during the project.

Motorists on the interstate encountered delays due to single lane shifts through construction zones and lowered speed limits.

The work is scheduled to be completed by late summer 2023.

District 2

WYDOT to alter McKinley Street intersection near I-25

CASPER – Drivers who travel through the McKinley Street and E and F streets intersections along Interstate 25 in Casper encountered a change in how they navigate each.

Beginning April 18, the traffic signals at the intersections of McKinley Street and East E Street, and at McKinley Street and East F Street, were removed. McKinley Street became the through street and motorists were required to stop on both E and F streets at McKinley Street.

Initially, the traffic signals flashed red for E and F streets and yellow for McKinley Street. Once the stop signs were installed the traffic signals were switched off and eventually removed. WYDOT will closely monitor the intersections for safety and efficiency.

The signals were installed more than 40 years ago and were in need of upgrades. Before beginning the upgrade work, a study was conducted and found the current traffic volumes do not necessitate a traffic signal.

WYDOT installed portable message signs near each intersection to notify motorists of the change.

A crash involving coach bus injures eleven

WHEATLAND – On April 5 the Wyoming Highway Patrol was notified of a crash involving a bus at milepost 5.9 on the service road of Interstate 25 south of Wheatland.

When emergency crews arrived, they found a coach bus on its side. A total of 40 occupants were on the bus at the time of the crash, with 11 injured. All injured occupants were transported to the Platte County Memorial Hospital.

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Through the investigation, it was learned the bus driver had failed to negotiate a curve to the left and drove off the right side of the roadway, causing the bus to overturn. The bus’s occupants were contracted to work at a farm in the state of Washington and were coming from Texas.

Due to the cold weather, emergency vehicles and a tow truck driver’s personal vehicle were used to transport the remaining occupants to the Wheatland Fire Training Center, where the Platte County Emergency Management is assisting the occupants with food and lodging.

The bus driver has been identified as a 55-year-old male from Texas and was not injured in the crash.

A special thanks to Terry Stevenson with Platte County Emergency Management, Platte County Memorial Hospital, Platte County Sheriff’s Department, Platte County 911 Dispatch, Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatch, Wheatland Police Department, Wheatland Fire and EMS, and Lee’s Towing, who assisted with this incident.

District 3

WYDOT wants public input on US 30 relocation west of Kemmerer

KEMMERER – The Wyoming Department of Transportation hosted a public meeting to discuss relocating a 2.4mile segment of US 30 west of Kemmerer between reference markers 49.70 and 52.10 in Lincoln County. This realignment is being proposed to accommodate future expansion of the Kemmerer Coal Mine on the south side of the highway. The mine expansion is needed because it would be advantageous to the mine, state of Wyoming, and surrounding communities by providing jobs and other economic benefits.

The open house-style meeting was to present the project’s background, updates, and changes since the August 2018 Public Meeting; and to obtain input on any transportation, environmental, or other concerns. Comments received were added to a feasibility study being prepared by WYDOT.

The meeting was held on April 26 at the South Lincoln Training and Events Center.

2023

Open house attendees were able to see a proposed US 30 realignment project diagram.

Vehicle out of fuel leads to drug arrest

ROCK SPRINGS – On the evening of April 8, a Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper stopped to assist a motorist who had run out of fuel near milepost 133 on Interstate 80 east of Rock Springs. As the trooper spoke with the vehicle’s lone occupant, he could smell the odor of raw marijuana emitting from the car. The trooper became more suspicious when the occupant relayed implausible information about the travel plans. A short while later, another individual walked out of the ditch and approached the vehicle and trooper. This individual claimed he was not associated with the car but could not provide a reasonable explanation why he was so far out in the middle of nowhere. The trooper detained both parties, and drug detection WHP K-9, Becky, was deployed around the vehicle, giving a positive alert and confirming that a controlled substance was present. A search was conducted, and thirteen Ziplock baggies of suspected methamphetamine weighing approximately 11.5 pounds, 3.7 pounds of suspected marijuana, two THC vape cartridges, one pack of edibles, thirtyseven Adderall pills, two thousand 2,186 Fentanyl M30 pills weighing approximately 185.3 grams, and two stolen pistols were found in the vehicle. Through the investigation, it was learned both parties were traveling together. They were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance plant form, controlled substance crystal form, controlled substance fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and possession of the stolen property.

Annual road patching project underway

ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation and contract crews from Kilgore Companies, LLC doing business as Lewis & Lewis, Inc., began road patching operations in southwest Wyoming the week of April 10.

Crews began with Interstate 80 east of Rock Springs and then moved across southwest Wyoming throughout April and will continue into May.

Crews worked in the following areas: Lincoln County

• US 30, west of Kemmerer, mileposts 26 to 45.

• US 89 south of Afton, mileposts 75 to 82.

• WYO 237 between Grover and Auburn, mileposts 0 to 3.2.

Sublette County

• US 189 north of Big Piney, mileposts 110 to 114.

• WYO 354 near Daniel Junction, mileposts 0 to 6.2.

Sweetwater County

• I-80, isolated areas east of Rock Springs from Point of Rocks to Wamsutter, both eastbound and westbound from mileposts 131 to 174. Scheduled for completion by June 15.

• WYO 530, south of Green River, mileposts 43 to 44.

• WYO 430 south of Rock Springs, mileposts 28 to 44.

• WYO 372 south of Fontenelle Reservoir, mileposts 40-48.

Uinta County

• I-80, isolated areas in the Bridger Valley area, both eastbound and westbound lanes from mileposts 3457.

• WYO 412 near Carter, mileposts 2 to 5.

• WYO 414 east of Mountain View, milepost 106.

Drivers on the interstate encountered reduced speeds and single lane closures through work areas. Traffic on all other state routes were carried through all work areas at reduced speeds on a single lane using flaggers and motorists encountered delays up to 15 minutes pole installation, new traffic detecting sensor installation, conduit drilling and installation, and ADA and sidewalk upgrades. posted speed remains until the signalized intersection with Lakeway Road.

The project was awarded in March and the completion date for this district-wide project is Oct. 31.

The completion date for the project is Oct. 31.

The average number of vehicles that travel that route is 14,589 per day with 1,196 (8 percent) of those being trucks.

In addition to the speed concerns, there have also been concerns about noise pollution as vehicles “hit the throttle” at the 55 mph sign, right next to the residential subdivisions. All citizens that contacted WYDOT commented that the 55 mph sandwiched in between two 45 mph zones feels “out of place.”

District 4 Speed limit change on portion of WYO 59, South Douglas highway

Workers crack sealing a portion of road.

Work continues on Green River signal project

GREEN RIVER – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from Casper Electric, continued work along Uinta Drive as part of the signal and intersection upgrade project. On April 4, crews installed the overhanging signal arms at the intersection of Uinta Drive and 2nd Street.

This work required traffic to be moved to one side of Uinta and placed in a single lane in each direction near the intersection. The traffic signals were shut down and the intersection was controlled by flaggers. These closures took place in the evening hours.

The signal timing varied under construction. Local traffic encountered some delays in signal timing while crews continue work on the new traffic signals.

The Green River Signal project work encompasses new traffic signal

GILLETTE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation District 4 traffic program recently completed a speed study on Wyoming Highway 59, also known as the South Douglas Highway, between mileposts 108-109 within the city limits of Gillette.

This study was prompted from citizens living in the Crestview Estates and Antelope Valley subdivisions.

Safety and noise concerns were raised relating to the current speed limit of 55 mph between the signalized intersections of Southern Drive and Garner Lake Road and Union Chapel Road and Dove Road.

During the study WYDOT looked at several factors including the current posted speed limit(s), traffic volume, noise levels, crash reports, and development and corridor characteristics.

For motorists coming into Gillette from the south on WYO 59, the speed limit is set at 70 mph. Approximately one mile prior to the signalized intersection with Union Chapel Road and Dove Road, the speed limit decreases to 45 mph. After the signalized intersection, the speed limit increases to 55 mph. It remains at 55 mph for approximately one mile, before decreasing to 45 mph prior to the signalized intersection with Southern Drive and Garner Lake Road. The 45 mph

Crash data was collected for the past 5 years (2017 to 2021) in this area and found there were 21 crashes over this time frame. Fourteen of these crashes (67 percent) were property damage only crashes. Seven of the crashes (33 percent) were caused by a collision with a deer or antelope. Five of the crashes (24 percent) were related to an intersection or driveway. Nine of the crashes (43 percent) occurred under winter weather conditions. Comments from citizens indicate that there have been numerous close calls at the intersections into Crestview Estates and drivers feel they have to choose tight gaps in order to pull out onto WYO 59.

South Douglas Highway has seen an increase in development since the original speed limits in this area were set resulting in increased traffic volume, housing and businesses.

As a result of the study the speed limit between mileposts 108-109 has been changed to 45 mph. This will provide drivers with a consistent speed limit through the entire corridor from Union Chapel to Lakeway. It will also provide additional and safer gap opportunities for drivers entering from side streets.

Orange warning flags have been added to the speed limit sign posts to warn motorists of the change for the next six months.

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Paving operations underway on I-25 south of Buffalo

BUFFALO – The Wyoming Department of Transportation began work on a paving project on I-25 south of Buffalo the week of April 10.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation Commission awarded Riverside Contracting, Inc., of Missoula, Montana, an $11.3 million contract to mill and pave a total of 15.36 miles of both the north and southbound lanes of I-25 from mile marker 272.11 to 279.79. Additional work includes replacing adjacent culverts, upgrading guardrail and repairing isolated bridge decks and approaches.

Riverside began constructing crossovers at ends of the project limits beginning the week of April 10 in preparation for diverting all southbound traffic onto the northbound portion of the interstate.

Motorists encountered head-to-head traffic in the northbound lane while work was completed in the southbound lane with a reduced speed limit of 65 mph and a 14 foot width restriction. Traffic is projected to be switched to the southbound lane in June with an anticipated project completion in September.

Paving underway on sections of I-90

SHERIDAN – Motorists traveling

I-90 between the Wyoming/South Dakota state line and Gillette will encounter several paving and bridge repair operations over the next several months.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation Sundance construction office are continuing last year’s paving project of I-90 between mileposts 185 and 195. With the exception of the final wearing course, contractors were able to finish the westbound lane of this section last fall and have begun work on the eastbound lane. This project is scheduled to be completed by November 30, 2023.

Started the first week of April, eastbound traffic was diverted to the westbound lane where motorists encountered head to head traffic and a speed limit of 65 mph.

In addition to the Sundance marginal portion, WYDOT is also paving a 6-mile stretch of I-90 beginning at milepost 202 east to the Wyoming/ South Dakota border. Crossovers were built near mileposts 200 and 207 to divert traffic, resulting in head to head traffic with reduced speed limits and traffic control. This work began the first week of April and the westbound lanes are to be completed Oct. 31. Work in the eastbound lanes is scheduled to be completed in 2024 with a final project completion date of October 31, 2024.

Work has also begun on a 6-mile portion of I-90 west of Gillette.

Construction on the Wild Horse section began with bridge rehabilitation work on the westbound lanes between mileposts 112 and 118 the week of April 3, with paving following in May. Traffic was reduced to one lane. This project is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 31.

All projects will receive a wearing course treatment of a three-quarter inch layer of coarser, porous asphalt pavement applied to provide added traction and moisture wicking to extend the life of the pavement.

Croell, Inc. was awarded all three of these projects by the Wyoming Department of Transportation Commission.

Bridge repair is to be performed on most bridges on all three projects. Bridges will receive either an epoxy overlay, a rigid concrete overlay, or a sealing membrane with an asphalt pavement overlay.

District 5

Diversion Dam Rest Area closure west of Riverton

RIVERTON – A one-day closure of the Diversion Dam Rest Area allowed for the wiring of a new overhead lighting system on the $292,000 project west of Riverton.

Diversion Dam Rest Area is 38 miles west of Riverton on US 26/287 at milepost 96.38.

The rest area was closed 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. on April 27.

The Diversion Dam Rest Area project included replacing 16 overhead lights and

Total number of employees: As of April 11, 2023

1,782 One month ago 1,781 One year ago

1,780

Total number of highway fatalities: As of April 12, 2023

35 One year ago

21 poles with newer and more cost efficient LED luminaries and poles. New concrete bases and wiring were also installed, along with new electric service points.

The project has a completion date of Oct. 31, 2023.

FAMILY, CAMPING

Tunnel lighting inspection west of Cody

CODY – An all-night inspection of the existing lighting system inside the big tunnel west of Cody on US 14/16/20 occurred April 20.

Contractor Casper Electric, of Casper, limited traffic to a single lane April 20-21.

“Casper Electric measured and reviewed the existing lighting system to prepare for replacement of the existing lighting system,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Todd Frost of Cody.

One-way traffic was maintained during the 12-hour closure with flaggers and a pilot vehicle.

Casper Electric is the prime contractor on the $5.184 million lighting replacement project inside the big tunnel west of Cody. Casper Electric’s work includes removal and replacement of the existing tunnel lighting system.

“The existing tunnel lighting system is outdated and spare parts are no longer available,” Frost said. “The new system will consist of LED lighting that is more energy efficient. There will also be a tunnel warning system installed to notify motorists of pedestrians and/or bicyclists in the tunnels.”

Project work is tentatively scheduled to begin in May with work at night, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., 6 days a week, in a 153-calendarday window. During the 153-day project, motorists will encounter a one-lane road with a pilot vehicle and flaggers during working hours with cumulative delays of up to 10 minutes. Traffic returned to two-way traffic with no delay during nonworking hours.

Project limits for the lighting project begin at milepost 45 (west end of the big tunnel), extending 1-mile east (east end of the short tunnels) toward Cody at milepost 46.

Contract completion date is Oct. 31.