Photo: WYDOT
Accolades continued from cover into the bedrock at 50 to 70 foot depth levels. After installation, the drilled shafts were tied together and capped using over 70,000 pounds of reinforcing steel. For their role in designing the geotechnical repair plan, Yeh and Associates, Inc. out of Denver was recognized as a co-recipient of the award. The prime contractor was Condon-Johnson and Associates. “This project had many intricate features, including design, partnerships, timelines and construction practices that made it unique,” Merrit said. Resident Engineer Todd Frost and his construction crew out of Cody were commended for their assistance throughout the venture. “We came up with the plan, but those folks put in a lot of long days to get the job done,” said Assistant Chief Engineering Geologist James Dahill. WYDOT has received several Presidential Project Awards over the years. The annual competition recognizes innovative engineering and surveying projects that benefit the people of Wyoming. n
More than 70,000 pounds of reinforcing steel was used to bolster the slope, necessitating the use of heavy machinery. The project was finished within a year with exemplary teamwork on all sides.
District Briefs Headquarters
WHP releases 2021 activity report CHEYENNE – Wyoming Highway Patrol employees were diligent throughout the year in addressing issues with a motorist who could be driving reckless, distracted, or impaired. Troopers, in 2021, stopped a total of 104,615 vehicles. Of this number, 29,506 speeding citations and 56,162 warnings were issued to passenger vehicles; 4,779 crashes were investigated; and 720 impaired drivers were stopped and arrested. Troopers assisted 19,982 motorists who had mechanical issues, were out of fuel or other reasons to be stopped on roadways. Also, while patrolling the state highways and interstates, troopers recovered 30 stolen vehicles. Controlled substance problems continue to be a problem in Wyoming. The Wyoming Highway Patrol knows this is a crucial issue to be addressed head-on. In 2021 WHP troopers seized 24.5 pounds
of Fentanyl, 7,200 pounds of Marijuana, 207 pounds of Methamphetamine and 5 pounds of Cocaine. The WHP Dispatch Center fielded 2,981 Report Every Drunk Driver (REDDI) reports; received and processed 1,387 Safe2Tell reports; activated two Amber Alerts; and made 9,016 non-consensual rotation calls to towers. The total number of events processed in dispatch was 159,532. Each event requires multiple radio transmissions, phone calls, and data input into the Computer Aided Dispatch System. The WHP Port of Entry officers contacted 1,028,132 commercial vehicles and weighed 417,654 commercial trucks. Out of these contacts, 33,952 were identified as overweight and 2,077 for oversize. The Port of Entry officers issued 204,411 permits and inspected 14,293 commercial vehicles, with 3,316 of these inspections resulting in an out-of-service violation. “Despite being down 35 troopers, 12 dispatchers and 13 Port of Entry officers, everyone is working extra hours to get the job done serving the public,” said WHP
Col. Kebin Haller. “I couldn’t be more proud of the achievements.”
District 1
Bridge strike prompts Parsley Bridge closure over I-80 CHEYENNE – Travelers on the Parsley Boulevard bridge over Interstate 80 experienced a closure prompted by recent bridge damage due to a bridge strike. On Feb. 8 a truck hauling large construction equipment collided with the Parsley structure over I-80, bending part of the outside girder. The bridge reopened to traffic under a 22 ton weight limit on Feb. 17. No oversized or overweight loads will be permitted to use the Parsley structure. Due to the bridge damage, the northbound lane of Parsley Blvd. is closed. Traffic will alternate on the southbound lane. Motorists should stay alert and obey Briefs continued on page 4
March 2022
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