Last section of Togwotee Pass highway rebuild to begin Monday; Rosie’s Ridge section is 2012′s project

Work on the Togwotee Pass highway reconstruction project this summer will be in the Rosie's Ridge section. A new bridge was added there last summer and turning lanes will be added this summer. (WYDOT Blackrock Bridge photo)

(Dubois) – The Togwotee Pass highway reconstruction project is now in the home stretch after seven years. The Wyoming Department of Transportation plans a Monday, April 16 start for the 2012 construction season on the Rosie’s Ridge section of U.S.26-287 between Dubois and Moran Junction, the Togwotee Trail corridor.

“Good weather has afforded us an opportunity for earlier construction this year, and we’re prepared to get started,” said Resident Engineer Doug Jensen.

Prime Contractor Oftedal Construction, Inc. will begin pipe work on Monday’s start of construction.

Travelers should expect 15 minute stop delays during daylight hours. Flagging stations will be posted at milepost 11 above the wildlife arch, and milepost 13 by the Turpin Meadows road turnoff.  The construction zone is located 11 miles east of Moran Junction, and 43 miles west of Dubois. Pilot vehicles will guide traffic through the construction zone.

Plans for this season include night time construction with 15 minute stop delays. Night closures are not anticipated for the season at this time.

As shown above, pilot cars will direct traffic through the Rosie's Ridge section of the Togwotee Pass construction project this summer. (Ernie Over photo)

Weekly public meetings are scheduled Tuesdays at 1 p.m., beginning April 24, at Oftedal Headquarters located at the Blackrock Pit.

Some of the projects scheduled for Rosie’s Ridge in 2012:
·         Three turning lanes to be built–by the Blackrock Ranger Station, by the area just west of the ranger station, and by Turpin Meadows road
·         Completion of 0.5 miles of highway between mileposts 7.8 and 8.3 by the Blackrock Ranger Station
·         Two passing lanes to be built–one westbound lane to be located east of Turpin Meadows Road, and one eastbound lane by milepost 11.5, about one mile above the wildlife arch
·         Two wildlife berms under the new Blackrock Bridge, along both sides of the creek
·         Pole fencing in the Blackrock Bridge area to encourage wildlife crossing under the bridge
·         Pole fencing in the wildlife arch area to encourage wildlife crossing under the highway