I-80 tunnel cleanup begins

The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from Clean Harbors Environmental Services, has begun clean-up operations in the westbound Interstate 80 tunnel near Green River following the tunnel accident on February 14.

"WYDOT plans to have repairs underway by this summer and to have traffic moving in the westbound tunnel once again before the winter season," the organization said in a press release.

The cleanup work was schedule to begin this past Monday, March 17, according to the press release.

"The work will include concrete and debris removal and disposal, as well as extensive cleaning and disposal of soot, oil and miscellaneous contaminants in the tunnel," the press release explained.

The cleanup work is scheduled to take approximately a week, barring any complications, according to WYDOT. The organization also said the work should not affect the current head-to-head traffic in the eastbound tunnel. However, WYDOT asks drivers to put down distractions, drive cautiously and be aware of roadside workers and vehicles.

Once the work is completed, WYDOT engineers will be on hand to evaluate the damage and begin plans for repairs, the press release continued.

"We want to thank our contractors, S & L Industrial, DeBernardi Construction and Lewis & Lewis for their responsiveness and hard work involving this incident,"  WYDOT District Construction Engineer Peter Stinchcomb said. "We also want to recognize our highway patrol and maintenance personnel who have been working 24-7 to help keep the public safe as possible while we work towards repairing the westbound tunnel, all while battling the recent spring storms."

There is a legal load only restriction, which is an eight feet six inch width, on Interstate 80 traffic through the head-to-head lanes in the eastbound tunnel, WYDOT noted. Oversized vehicles should contact the Wyoming Highway Patrol's oversize loads permit office for detours. WYDOT also reminded the public that unpredictable weather and other variables may necessitate last-minute changes to plans, but the organization "remains committed to updating the public with timely information."