Final rockfall work begins Sept. 17 west of Cody near Buffalo Bill Dam

Hanging a cable net system at the west end of the long tunnel on US 14/16/20 is part of ongoing rockfall mitigation work west of Cody, and this work is scheduled to begin next week.

The work, by subcontractor Triptych Construction, is scheduled to begin Monday, Sept. 17, west of Cody.

"It should take about a week to complete this work on Site No. 7 next to the west end of the long tunnel," said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Todd Frost of Cody. " Traffic will be controlled with flaggers and a pilot vehicle through the tunnels."

The final phase of rockfall mitigation work will also start on Sept. 17. the prime contractor is Rock Solid Solutions of Parachute, Colo.

Project work consists of installation of rockfall fence and a rockfall attenuator at two locations between mileposts 44.57 and 45 west of the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center.

"The existing concrete barrier will be removed when construction of the rockfall fence and attenuator are completed," Frost said.

Work on the remainder of the project will continue until work is completed or the contractor has to shut down for winter weather. "If the project is not completed this fall, it will be completed next spring prior to the completion date May 31, 2019," Frost said.

Frost said traffic will be carried through both projects without delay between 7 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. each day, and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. "During other times, motorists should expect traffic delays of up to 20 minutes," Frost added. "When the project work is complete, the speed limit will be increased from 30 mph to what it was prior to work beginning."

For information about this news release, contact WYDOT public relations specialist Cody Beers at (307) 431-1803.