The Wyoming Department of Transportation will be wrapping up work on the bridge over the UPR tracks next to Rock Springs High School on the WYO 376 Belt Loop and moving on to the bridges that connect Dewar Drive and Blairtown next week.
The work was initially scheduled to taper off in June, but crews encountered more damage to the bridge than expected on the high school bridge, pushing the bridge opening back.
WYDOT and contract crews are planning to open the bridge to traffic on July 7. Following the opening of the Rock Springs High School Bridge on July 7, WYDOT crews will be closing the Blairtown bridges on July 8.
Variable message signs will be placed on popular routes near the work in order to notify motorists and commuters prior to the closures. Crews will not close the Blairtown bridges until traffic is flowing on the Rock Springs High School Bridge.
WYDOT is asking that commuters that use the bridges to access the Blairtown area to plan accordingly for the closure and remember to detour around the bridges.
Access will be maintained from Dewar Drive to the trailer court, Rock Springs Animal Control Offices and the Dog Park. However, residents turning out of those areas will not be able to access the Blairtown area over the bridges, they will have to turn out onto Dewar Drive.
Due to the nature of the work on the Blairtown bridges, they will be completely closed to traffic during the course of work. WYDOT has set a 60 calendar day window for the closure.
The contract was awarded to Reiman Corp. and Subsidary, out of Cheyenne, in September of 2015, for about $1.5 million. WYDOT has set a completion date for the project at the end of October this year.
WYDOT reminds all drivers to slow down in work zones, be alert and cautious of roadside workers and obey all traffic signs. For more information on road construction, closures and weather conditions, please visit http://www.wyoroad.info.