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District Briefs
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CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded almost $19.3 million in contracts for five Wyoming Department of Transportation construction projects during its Aug. 18 business meeting.
A bid of almost $1.7 million was awarded to Sheridan-based Advanced Electrical Contracting, Inc. for a project that involves electrical work, sidewalk, curb and gutter and other work at various locations within Big Horn, Converse, Fremont, Hot Springs, Laramie, Lincoln, Natrona, Niobrara, Platte, Sheridan, Sweetwater, Uinta, Washakie and Weston Counties.
The commission awarded a $1.8 million bid to Utah-based Coldwater Group, Inc. for a project involving structure replacement, grading, guardrail and other work at the Hams Fork River Bridge on Lincoln County Road 327 in Lincoln County.
The contracted completion date for the above two projects is October 31, 2023.
The commission awarded a $7.1 million bid to Worland-based McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co. for a project that involves milling, paving, chip seal and other work on about 10 miles of US Highway 191 in Sublette County. The project has a contracted completion date of June 30, 2024.
Mills-based King Enterprises was awarded a $4.4 million bid for a project that involves fencing, grading and other work at various locations along Interstate 25 in Johnson County. The contracted completion date for the project is November 30, 2024.
All of the above projects are funded primarily with federal dollars.
The only project awarded in August that is funded primarily with state dollars involves milling, paving, chip seal and other work on more than 7 miles of US Highway 89 in Lincoln County. The project was awarded to Idaho-based H-K Contractors, Inc. with a bid of almost $4.2 million, and the work has a contracted completion date of August 31, 2023.
Almost all WYDOT projects are awarded to the lowest bidder. August’s meeting saw an average of about 2.7 bids per project. Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day
CHEYENNE – Aug. 21 was National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. This day was designated to recognize the dangers of fentanyl and how it affects Wyoming.
In 2020, 1,663 dosage units and .27 pounds of fentanyl were seized by law enforcement in Wyoming. That’s an increase of 3,876% from the previous year.
In 2021, 11,135 dosage units and 64.83 lbs. of fentanyl were seized by law enforcement in Wyoming, an increase of 10,539%.
More than 13,398 dosage units of fentanyl have already been seized by Wyoming law enforcement in 2022. Since 2018 there have been 334,476 dosage units of fentanyl seized by law enforcement in Wyoming.
Prevention and education is a definite power to help others make educated choices. The Wyoming Highway Patrol warns the public that illicit fentanyl is prevalent in the United States and can cause sudden death. Education about the dangers of illicit fentanyl and information can reduce victim fatalities.
Fentanyl is an opioid pain medication similar to morphine but is 50-100 times more potent. When used correctly, it is a very effective pain reliever for cancer patients. However, illicit fentanyl is an illegal drug cut into other drugs such as heroin, cocaine and counterfeit prescription pills. Fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes or accidentally inhaled. The effects of this drug are unpredictable because it varies from person to person based on their size, weight, metabolism and whether they have taken other drugs before taking fentanyl.
Everyone needs to know how dangerous illicit fentanyl is, especially if someone has taken it unknowingly because they may need medical attention immediately.
If you suspect someone has taken fentanyl, call 911 immediately. WYDOT’s 2023 STIP now available for comment
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation is seeking public comment and review of its 2023 transportation improvement planning document.
WYDOT’s draft 2023 State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) is available at www.dot.state.wy.us/home on the department’s website. People can navigate to the STIP web page by selecting Planning/Projects/Research and STIP Project Listing, which contains the 2023 STIP PDF and a map where people can make comments or suggest new projects.
The STIP contains a listing of highway and bridge projects, airport improvement work, transit and Public Safety Communications Commission projects that WYDOT tentatively expects to contract for during the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The final STIP will also incorporate WYDOT’s capital improvement projects. The final approved STIP is published annually and updates are issued monthly.
The public can also submit their comments by email (http://www.dot.state. wy.us/ContactWYDOT/?id=128) or by mail to 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009. The deadline for receiving draft STIP comments is Sept. 2, 2022.
Besides the 2023 projects, the draft STIP includes a listing of transportation projects slated through 2028. It also includes a summary of pass-through federal funding for public transportation throughout the state.
Projects are listed by county and note the general character of work for the various transportation system projects. These projects include highway, transit, airports and others.
Additionally, WYDOT is accepting public comment via an interactive map at https://webapp.dot.state.wy.us/ ao/f?p=951:1:116133076854266.
WYDOT emphasizes that the STIP project listing is tentative and is revised in accordance with changes in funding
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Briefs continued from page 3 levels, highway conditions and other issues that arise during the advance project design phase.
District 1
Epoxy striping caused district-wide delays
LARAMIE – Crews with S&L Industrial and the Wyoming Department of Transportation placed epoxy striping in various locations around the district beginning Aug. 24.
Epoxy striping is more durable than traditional striping, especially in high-traffic areas.
Work includes minor work in various locations around Rawlins. The last week of August, crews focused on a portion of US 287 in Laramie before addressing various locations around Cheyenne, including a section on Interstate 80 near Pine Bluffs.
This project was a mobile work zone with slow-moving striping equipment. Cones were in place to help indicate wet epoxy. Paving operations caused road closure on WYO 71
RAWLINS – Maintenance crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation paved part of Wyoming Highway 71/ Sage Creek Road starting Aug. 17.
This is a continuation of a seasonal paving project started earlier this summer in Carbon County. Crews focused at the head of WYO 71/Sage Creek Road, near the junction at Wyoming Highway 78/ South Higley Boulevard, ending at milepost 1.
WYO 71/Sage Creek Road was closed for the duration of the paving operation. The closure lasted a few days and detours were in place during the closure. WHP involved in spate of stolen vehicles
LARAMIE – On Aug. 4, two separate vehicle pursuits occurred within hours of each other involving stolen vehicles.
The first pursuit was initiated around 07:35 a.m. north of Cheyenne on Interstate 25 after a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding. The chase proceeded north into Chugwater before the suspect vehicle drove south on Iron Mountain Road and overturned on the gravel road. The male suspect was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.
The second pursuit started around 09:30 a.m. after WHP Troopers were notified of a stolen vehicle driving west on Interstate 80 west of Rawlins. Troopers attempted to stop the stolen car, but the driver failed to stop. The pursuing trooper was able to perform a tactical intervention maneuver on the stolen vehicle bringing the pursuit to an end around milepost 127 on I-80 in Sweetwater County. The male driver was taken into custody without further incident.
The drivers from both incidents were charged with possessing stolen vehicles, attempting to elude peace officers and other traffic-related charges.
A third high-speed chase originated south of Laramie and ended west of Cheyenne.
On Aug. 5, after troopers stopped to assist a stranded motorist out of fuel on US 287 south of Laramie, a pursuit ensued around 7:43 a.m. As the occupants in the car were receiving fuel from roadside service, the troopers learned the vehicle was reported stolen from Colorado. The driver fled from troopers as they re-approached him to have him exit the car. The chase proceeded north on US 287 and into Laramie, where troopers lost sight of the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was spotted driving recklessly through the city of Laramie and then was observed driving onto the Interstate. WHP began to pursue the car again as the vehicle’s driver fled east toward Cheyenne. The pursuit exited at Happy Jack Road and continued toward Cheyenne.
Troopers attempted to deploy spike strips to deflate the vehicle’s tires, but the driver drove off the road to avoid them. The car was partially disabled after going over a small embankment, but the driver attempted to drive off again. As the car started moving east on Happy Jack, a trooper immediately performed a tactical vehicle intervention maneuver to stop the car. The suspect vehicle drove off the road and through a right-of-way fence before stopping. The occupants in the vehicle were taken into custody without further incident.
The driver was booked into the Albany County Detention Center on charges of possessing a stolen vehicle, possession of
I-80 Exit 142 paving operation closes ramps
ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation and contract crews from H-K Contractors Inc., closed Interstate 80 exit 142 on and off ramps, as well as the crossroad under the bridge, for grading and paving operations. The closure lasted one day. The interchange was inaccessible during that time. The interchange and nearby area could still be accessed during that time, by making arrangements with the local WYDOT engineer’s office.
This closure was part of a larger project on 5 miles of I-80 between Rock Springs and Rawlins, which includes grading and paving, bridge rehabilitation and miscellaneous work beginning at milepost 130. The completion date for this project was set for August 31. WYDOT stripes Jackson town square
JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation performed pavement striping and signing maintenance in Jackson. Crews worked near the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Cache Street near the town square, the Y intersection of WYO 22 and US 26/89/191, and the 5-way intersection of Broadway Ave, West Pearl Avenue and Flat Creek Drive.
Work took place at night between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. Drivers were advised to expect intermittent lane closures and reduced speeds, and avoid the area if possible during those times. Black’s Fork bridge work will cause delays, width restriction in place
ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation and contract crews from DeBernardi Construction Company, Inc., began working on the Black’s Fork bridge on WYO 530 at milepost 14.66 south of Green River on August 1. During the work, traffic was reduced to a single, alternating lane
controlled by a temporary signal.
Drivers were advised to be aware of traffic control devices, reduced speeds and delays of up to 15 minutes under stop conditions. The bridge also had a width restriction of 14 feet. Travelers with large campers and trailers were advised to take note of the width restriction and plan accordingly.
The work was scheduled to last roughly six weeks. The work is part of a district wide bridge rehabilitation project. The completion date for the entire project, including other locations, is Oct. 31. Reduced speeds on I-80 due to bridge work
ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, and contract crews from Reiman Corp, poured a bridge deck in the westbound lane of I-80 the night of July 28 between Rock Springs and Green River.
Motorists encountered delays the night of July 28 continuing into the following day and were advised to plan accordingly. During the work and four hours thereafter, traffic was reduced to 10 mph within the lane closure. It was then reduced to 25 mph for the next 20 hours while the concrete set properly.
District 4
Chip seal projects continue in northeast Wyoming
SHERIDAN – WYDOT and its contractor, Bituminous Paving Inc., resumed chip seal operations Aug. 26 after a two week required break to accommodate the heavy motorcycle traffic associated with the Sturgis Rally.
Work resumed on WYO 24 near Devils Tower Aug. 26-27 and then moved to US 16 in Moorcroft Aug. 29-Sept 1.
Work will then move to the Kingsbury section of I-90 between mile markers 96.10 to 100.8 Sept. 6.
Sections of WYO 50 from Gillette to Savageton will be sealed beginning Sept. 8 and will then relocate to US 16A Business Route and portions US 16 in Newcastle.
The portion of US 16A Business Route will run from South Railroad Avenue to the US 16 Bypass Intersection.
SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Department of Transportation Commission recently awarded Advanced Electrical Contracting, Inc., of Sheridan, a contract to upgrade a traffic signal on Coffeen Avenue, in Sheridan, for the amount of $647,060. Funds for this project came from the Highway Safety Improvement Program. Work began Aug. 15.
The signal located at Coffeen Avenue and Lowell Street is a non-typical 5-way intersection.
The project upgrades the traffic signal system, while also adjusting the timing and increasing detection capabilities of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. These upgrades increase the safety and functionality of the non-typical intersection.
The sidewalk corners were upgraded to meet current pedestrian ADA requirements.
Traffic control varied depending on the location and nature of the work taking place. A minimum of 2-way, uninterrupted traffic flow on Coffeen Avenue was maintained for the duration of the project.
The current signal remained operational while the new system was installed and activated.
The contract completion date is June 30, 2023.
Photo: Laura Dalles
Intersection of Coffeen Avenue and Lowell Street signal upgrade.
Man with a warrant shoots at WHP trooper
SUNDANCE – On the night of July 29, a trooper with the Wyoming Highway Patrol stopped a male walking along Interstate 90 around milepost 184 in Crook County. It was learned that the male had an active warrant for his arrest and the trooper requested assistance from the Crook County Sheriff’s Department. As law enforcement attempted to arrest the male, the man began walking away. The male suspect was able to retrieve a handgun from his person and fired several shots at law enforcement before fleeing into the darkness.
A search was conducted throughout the night to find the man.
On the morning of July 30, law enforcement located the male subject around milepost 185 on Interstate 90. The male suspect fired at law enforcement again as they attempted to take him into custody. Law enforcement returned fire, striking the male. The male was taken into custody and immediately received medical attention but was pronounced deceased a short time later.
No law enforcement officers were injured during this event, and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation has taken the lead over the case.
District 5
Big Horn Avenue pedestrian crosswalk test in effect for start of school year in Cody
CODY – A 3-month pedestrian crosswalk test just west of the intersection of Freedom Street and Big Horn Avenue intersection was installed prior to the beginning of the 2022-23 school year in Cody.
The crosswalk test includes a painted crosswalk with push button warning lights, a pedestrian refuge island in the middle of Big Horn Avenue, and a barrier to eliminate left-hand turns from Big Horn Avenue and Freedom Street.
The testing was approved last week by the Cody Urban Systems and Traffic Committee after an evaluation of multiple alternatives by Stantec, the traffic consultant working on the Big Horn Avenue Corridor Study.
The crosswalk test will be in place from the start of the school year until the Thanksgiving holiday, said city of Cody Public Works Director Phillip Bowman.
“While this type of crosswalk testing could be inconvenient for motorists, it does give Stantec, Wyoming Department Briefs continued on page 6
Briefs continued from page 5 of Transportation and the Cody Urban Systems and Traffic Committee an opportunity to evaluate the alternative under live traffic while protecting pedestrians,” Bowman said.
During the 3-month period, the city of Cody will open the gate at the east end of Cougar Avenue near the Cody Middle School. This action will allow parents and other school traffic to use Stone Street and 33rd Street, via a pair of short gravel roads, to access Big Horn Avenue (US 14A) and the middle school from the east end of town toward Powell.
“We understand changes to the existing traffic patterns are likely at the middle school and surrounding areas as this testing is performed, especially on Cougar Avenue and Blackburn Street as drivers find new and different routes due to the left turn restrictions at Freedom Street,” Bowman said.
Park County School District 6 Trustee Stefanie Bell told the Urban Systems and Traffic Committee that the Cody Middle School morning schedule’s start time will be 8:15 a.m., and the district will run an additional bus route for the 40-plus middle school students who live on the north side of US 14A (Big Horn Avenue). The later bus route will provide a new opportunity for students to travel safely across US 14A in the mornings.
The later start time for Cody Middle School “should create a 15-minute gap which may help distribute traffic at Cody Middle School, which also functions as the school district’s transportation hub,” Bell said.
Bowman said a pair of public listening sessions are still planned. One of the sessions, currently planned for late September or early October, will give citizens an opportunity to review the viable alternatives emerging from the Big Horn Avenue Corridor Study. It will also provide an opportunity for public comment on the crosswalk testing on Big Horn Avenue. The second public listening session will take place later this year, and citizens will be presented with recommended alternatives for the Big Horn Avenue corridor prior to publishing the final report.
Photo: WYDOT
The temporary pedestrian crossing testing at Freedom Street in Cody.
Milling, paving on US 14/16/20 west of Cody near Yellowstone
CODY – Asphalt milling and paving began Aug. 1 on 10.25 miles of US 14/16/20 directly east of the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
The $5.4 million pavement improvement project, west of Cody, consists of rotomilling of the existing pavement surface, a 2-inch pavement overlay, chip sealing, minor slope flattening, guardrail repair and other work.
Paving continued through August with reduced speeds and traffic delays expected.
The project is located west of Cody between Yellowstone National Park and Cody from milepost 0.00 (Yellowstone’s East Entrance) and extends east 10.25 miles to milepost 10.25 (Fishhawk Trailhead).
All work, with the exception of reclamation, was required to be complete by Aug. 31. Contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2022.
Prime contractor for the project is Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell.
This section of US 14/16/20 was originally constructed in 1996-97. “Normal service life for pavement is approximately 20 years before it needs rehabilitation and an overlay,” Frost said. Lander-Fort Washakie slope flattening project
LANDER – A $821,000 slope flattening project began on US 287 north of Lander.
The project includes grading, fencing, signing, drainage, surfacing, seeding/erosion control and fencing on 3.5 miles of US 287 beginning at milepost 2.1 between Lander and Fort Washakie.
The project’s prime contractor is High Country Construction, Inc., of Lander.
The contractor’s schedule calls for topsoil stripping and culvert extensions on US 287 with dirt grading and placing of crushed gravel base beginning.
Delays were expected of up to 15 minutes throughout the work zone. Contract completion date is June 30, 2023. n
Avalanche continued from cover
Most of the heavy snow this year fell in the spring. An eightday storm cycle in April produced 32 inches of snow with 2.26 inches of SWE as well as rain to the lower elevations and canyons.
Due to the mild winter, few avalanche mitigation missions were needed. In total, crews conducted four mitigation missions.
The first missions for the season took place January 6 on Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass and US Highway 191/189 at the Hoback River Canyon. Both missions produced results that covered 30-50 feet of roadway in at least 2-8 feet of show, depending on the location.
On April 15-16, crews conducted avalanche mitigation missions due to concerns about how the drier mid-winter snow would bond to the firm and warm spring snowpack. Mitigation was performed in the Hoback River Canyon and Teton Pass, with minimal road impacts.
By focusing on the scientific process of Avalanche Forecasting, the team was able to effectively and efficiently utilize avalanche mitigation measures. Crews used different mitigation equipment depending on location and need, including Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS) such as GazX, O’BellX, and Avalanche Guard, as well as the mobile howitzer. In total, the 2021-22 season saw 32 detonations, versus 39 the winter before. Just four of the 11 recorded instances of avalanche activity were not explosively triggered. By decreasing the use of explosives the team subsequently decreased the inherent risk associated with using high order explosives.
With the mild conditions and a team of experienced employees, crews managed to avoid any major close calls this season. Cronin notes one almost-close call in his report:
“During pre-season testing of the avalanche guard system, one of the explosives failed to detonate. This is known as a dud, and there are procedures in place to dispose of the dud. Avalanche Technicians Adam Davis and Grant Henarie were on Mt. Glory observing the test firing and were able to see where the dud landed. Using experience and skill sets gained from ski patrolling, they quickly and effectively disassembled the dud. It is still unknown why the explosive failed to detonate but the avalanche team used this as a learning opportunity and discussed what may have led to the failure.”
Beyond the challenges Mother Nature likes to create, crews also faced challenges with the equipment used to detonate avalanches during mitigation missions. The GazX system presented the crew with equipment issues and leaks that required quick repair in fall 2021 and again in January. Crews replaced a valve and made some other modifications this spring, with phase 2 of the new system to be installed this summer.
Crews also experienced a catastrophic error when an OBell’X system being installed at Cow of the Woods fell down the avalanche path, destroying the unit. Fortunately no travelers were hurt, and the incident created industry-wide policy changes for equipment installation in the future. A big thank you to the Colorado Department of Transportation for loaning WYDOT an OBell’X system for the season while we worked to replace the damaged equipment.
Other equipment updates for the 2021-22 season included a retrofit of the avalanche guard system, weather station repairs and continued work on the GazX. Permits for the installation of a new weather station for Winter 2022/2023 in the Snake River Canyon were secured. Last season the Avalanche Department had nearly-full staffing levels in a WYDOT shop that has been understaffed for multiple winters.
We’d like to thank the WYDOT avalanche technicians for their hard work monitoring avalanche conditions to prevent additional risk to the traveling public below. n
Above: Avalanche Technician Grant Henarie digs out the shelter. The tanks on the deck contain oxygen which is mixed with propane in the shelter. The oxygen and propane are mixed together in dosing tanks and the gas is fed to the exploders located in the avalanche path starting zones. Working on these systems is like doing plumbing at 10,000 feet when it’s 5 degrees out! Below: Another look at the GazX shelter and oxygen tanks.
Photo: WYDOT Photo: WYDOT Forecasters dig down in the snow to analyze and record snow density, snow crystal structure, depth and bonding properties of the different snow layers. This scientific process is the essence of avalanche forecasting. Weak layers are noted and tracked as they metamorphose over time and hopefully gain strength before the next storm.
