Pavement improvement project begins north of Thermopolis:
A $2 million pavement improvement project has started on U.S. 20/WY789, about 7 miles north of Thermopolis.
Asphalt pavement milling started Monday.
The scope of work for prime contractor Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell includes milling of existing asphalt pavement, asphalt paving, chip sealing and other work on 6.8 miles of U.S. 20/WY789. Chip-sealing only will take place on the first 2.2 miles of U.S. 20, and a pavement overlay and chip seal will take place on the remaining 4.6 miles.
The Lucerne North project begins at milepost 139.8, about seven miles north of Thermopolis, and ends at milepost 146.6.
Motorists should expect delays of up to 20 minutes and reduced speed limits while paving is underway.
Contract completion is Oct. 31, 2019.
Scrub seal highway rehabilitation project set for August south of Ten Sleep:
A $1.1 million pavement rehabilitation project is scheduled to begin Aug. 6 on Wyoming 434 (the Big Trails Road) south of Ten Sleep.
The project is slated to begin on the south edge of Ten Sleep (milepost 0.267) and it extends nearly 15 miles south to milepost 15.
“Crack surfacing is scheduled to begin next week (mileposts 7.75 to 11), with the scrub seal portion of this project starting about Aug. 19,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Kaia Tharp of Thermopolis.”
Prime contractor is Intermountain Slurry Seal, Inc., of Salt Lake City, Utah.
A scrub seal is a roadway surface treatment that involves applying a spray-on (oil) emulsion with a higher viscosity, followed by a broom trailer that forces the emulsion into the cracks. A light coverage of fine rock is applied to the emulsion to provide some surface skid resistance. This treatment weather-proofs surfaces and adds skid resistance. It’s used as a final surface for low volume/traffic conditions, such as those that exist on the Big Trails Road.
Motorists should expect delays of up to 20 minutes and reduced speed limits while pavement work is underway.
Contract completion is Aug. 31, 2019.
Washakie County Law Enforcement Increasing Traffic Enforcement during the Sturgis Rally:
For this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Washakie County Law Enforcement will be focused on the busy travel weekend of Aug 2-4.
The Worland Police Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office will be focused on all routes leading into Worland, and especially, U.S. 16 toward Buffalo.
“We prioritize impaired driving always, and we will be especially vigilant during this time as the county fair ends and traffic to the rally increases,” said Chief Gabe Elliott of the Worland Police Department. “All of Washakie County Law Enforcement will have zero tolerance for any impaired drivers.”
“As the county fair ends, we see the rally traffic on U.S. 16 increase, and we will be out there doing dedicated traffic enforcement,” said Washakie County Sheriff Steve Rakness.
Washakie County Law Enforcement recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving:
· Remember it is never OK to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
· If you see a drunk driver on the road, dial 911 or call 347-2242 or 347-4253.
· Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.