Cracks developed three years ago
Almost three years after centerline cracks developed on both Interstate 80’s east and west lanes between Green River and Rock Springs, the Wyoming Department of Transportation is fixing the problem.
Crews started sealing the lanes two weeks ago and work is expected to carry over into April.
According to WYDOT resident engineer Clint Lockman, the splitting issue occurred when the sealant used over the concrete joints on the road surface started popping off at those seals. Lockman said the funding used to pay for the initial work originated with special highway maintenance funding under former President Barack Obama, saying the projects funded through the program were under a much tighter deadline than usual. The sealant used on a section of I-80 between Laramie and Cheyenne didn’t cause the same problems seen between Rock Springs and Green River. Lockman said the surface between the two Sweetwater County cities is older than what is between Laramie and Cheyenne. The older concrete proved incompatible with the sealant and the road surface began to split shortly after the project was finished.
“We started to notice it almost immediately,” Lockman said.
Crack sealing is a method used for extending the life of a road. It can keep water from entering the base or sub-base of a road, preventing it from being weakened. Crack sealing also isn’t impacted by bad weather, which is why the work is taking place in March.
Stephanie Harsha, public involvement specialist for WYDOT District 3 in Rock Springs said the centerline split was a concern amongst motorcyclists, which prompted WYDOT to install signs warning of the uneven road surface along affected sections for the road.
According to a release from WYDOT, work will move to U.S. 191 North after completion of the I-80 project. The total bid awarded by WYDOT was $1 million.
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