Wyoming Department of Transportation Photo
With work on the Dewar Drive/Blair Ave. bridges underway in Rock Springs, a closure has been put in place for the duration of the work.
Signs have been placed on popular routes near the work in order to notify motorists and commuters of the closures. Since the closure, WYDOT and contract crews have been notified of increased traffic strain on the Grant Street and Elk Street and Grant Street and North Center Street.
“Drivers are coming down the belt loop, seeing the closure, and turning right onto West Blair and onto A Street. Since there is no green left arrow cycle at the A Street and Grant Street Intersection, left-turning traffic is backing up over the bridge. Same goes for Grant Street and Center/Dewar Street intersection,” WYDOT Public Relations Specialist Stephanie Harsha said.
WYDOT is recommending that traffic take the belt loop to 9th Street or utilize the M Street underpass or if they use the A Street overpass to continue to the intersection at Elk Street and North Center Street.
“The intersection at North Center Street/Bridger Ave/Elk Street is better equipped to handle the strain of traffic because it has a green left turn arrow phase,” WYDOT Resident Engineer Clint Lockman commented.
WYDOT would like to remind travelers to plan accordingly for the closure and remember to detour around the bridges. Access is being maintained from Dewar Drive to the trailer court, Rock Springs Animal Control Offices and the Dog Park. However, residents turning out of those areas are not be able to access the Blairtown area over the bridges, they must turn out onto Dewar Drive.
WYDOT has set a 60 calendar day window for the closure that ends September 1. The contractor is currently on schedule to meet the opening date.
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.
WYDOT would like to remind 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.