County hears WYDOT construction update

While several construction projects are in full swing around Sweetwater County this summer, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) has construction plans for not just this year, but the next several years. 

WYDOT District 3 Construction Engineer Peter Stinchcomb gave a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners during the July 16 meeting to go over the annual State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) update. This annual presentation highlights current and future highway projects in Sweetwater County. 

The STIP program plans projects out for up to six years, according to Stinchcomb. He explained that annual projects in Sweetwater County include maintenance work like safety improvements, dust suppression, installing delineators and centerline markings. Additionally, many of the specifically-planned projects include work like pavement rehabilitation, bridge rehabilitation and replacement, milling, chip seals, and overlay work. 

Many of this year's projects are already underway or close to starting, Stinchcomb said. Some of these projects include the bridge rehabilitation in Jamestown, repairs on the Rock Springs Belt Loop, pavement and bridge rehabilitation on Interstate 80 by Point of Rocks, a level and overlay project on U.S. 191 near Farson, putting a road closure gate in place near Point of Rocks, and rockfall monitoring for cliffs outside of Green River.

WYDOT is also working with the cities of Green River and Rock Springs to help with projects like the Riverside Memorial Park pathway and lighting project and Foothill pathway enhancements in Rock Springs. 

Several projects are lined up for next year as well, including a grinding project for I-80 west of Green River to make the road smoother, replacement of the North Street bridge by the Civic Center in Rock Springs, and further pavement and bridge rehabilitation by Point of Rocks. 

Green River is expected to see several major projects in 2026, including work on Wyoming 530, which passes through town. One of the biggest projects will be bridge rehabilitation work along Uinta Drive.

Stinchcomb explained that WYDOT worked on one of the bridges a few years ago and he received lots of questions about why they didn't do the other bridge as well. He pointed out that the other bridge is part of the project planned to be completed in a few more years. 

"That one's going to be difficult when we do it, because it's got a spot that is hard to get people around," Stinchcomb admitted. "So we're still working on the traffic control plan." 

Other planned work on Wyoming 530 in 2026 will include a mill, overlay, and chip seal project going from in town to mile marker 8 "up the hill," according to Stinchcomb. 

Another Green River project is on the slate for 2027, involving a bridge rehabilitation project on the bridge over the Union Pacific railroad. Repairs underneath the bridge are necessary, which Stinchcomb pointed out that he notices as a Green River resident. 

"You come around that loop, it seems like every year there's a big black snake that comes out. It's that expansion joint that pops out of it," he explained. "We're hopefully going to go fix that permanently." 

Other 2027 projects around the county include mile marker projects, mill and overlay work, further bridge rehabilitation, centerline and edge line markings, overhead signs and road closure systems. 

In 2028 WYDOT plans to continue work on I-80, 530, and more, as well as doing bridge replacements on county roads over the Big Sandy River and Red Creek. Projects are scheduled out for 2029 and 2030 as well, including overlay and wear courses to level and smooth out roads. 

In addition to the specific projects that are lined up for the next six years, WYDOT maintains a future project list with projects that have been delayed or postponed, Stinchcomb noted. WYDOT also has a "shelf" of projects that are ready to go whenever additional funding becomes available, as well as future transportation jobs that each district is given funding for that can be designed and implemented quickly. WYDOT also pursues funding for large repair projects from either man-made damage or damage from natural disasters, such as the recent landslide in Teton Pass. 

Overall, STIP is a program that develops construction plans for all the WYDOT districts around the state, according to Stinchcomb. The program follows specific federal guidelines and requirements. The process for STIP projects includes taking input and data from management systems, selecting candidate projects, and considering public input. WYDOT works with groups including the Transportation Commission, Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Authority to approve the final STIP plan each year, Stinchcomb explained. The final STIP becomes a single-source document for department projects. 

The program works to serve customers by ensuring projects are completed, uses multiple processes to encourage transparency and public engagement, implements expertise from various design and field programs, develops and maintains strategic partnerships, works to appropriately manage resources, and continues to improve and innovate, according to Stinchcomb. 

"Our goal is to provide a safe and effective transportation system for the public," he said.