GREEN RIVER, Wyo. – The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded an emergency bid relating to the Interstate 80 Green River Tunnel during its regular business meeting July 17 via Zoom.
According to a press release from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), a $16.43 million emergency contract was awarded to Casper Electric Inc., based out of Casper, for work to address damaged sections of the westbound tunnel lining and lighting system.
The work is part of the process of repairing the tunnel after a serious crash caused significant damage.
A fiery pileup in the tunnel on Interstate 80 killed three and caused numerous serious injuries.
The crash involved an unknown number of trucks and other vehicles inside and outside the tunnel at Green River.
The crash in the twin tunnel’s westbound tube closed the highway in both directions at the time.
WYDOT said to expedite this portion of the tunnel work, the awarded contract includes incentives to hit project milestones necessary to shift traffic out of the head-to-head configuration before Nov. 30, with penalties assessed after that date.
These milestones include:
Completion of all concrete and shotcrete work, epoxy painting and box beam guardrail in the westbound tunnel.
A minimum of one lane, 14-feet wide for the full length of the westbound tunnel.
A minimum of 50 percent completion of installed and operational lighting for the full length of the westbound tunnel.
Work is already underway. In order to complete the work, the contractor will be allowed to work 24-hour schedules, including holidays and weekends.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
