Offset right turn lane to be built at US 30 and Whitney Road

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Wyoming Department of Transportation will construct an offset right-turn lane from eastbound US 30 to southbound Whitney Road over the next few months.

The new turn lane is being built with the anticipation of increased traffic in the coming years as development continues in eastern Cheyenne.
Once built, the lane will shift vehicles turning right onto Whitney Road away from US 30, providing drivers turning from Whitney Road better sight distance looking west.

Work to prepare the area for construction is already occurring. Drivers and residents should expect crews in the area into the summer months. Lights and electrical equipment will be moved first, followed by grading and paving the area.

“We know more development and traffic is coming to eastern Cheyenne, and we’ve heard residents’ concerns about that area,” District Engineer Tom DeHoff said. “The safety of the traveling public is our most important objective.”

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WYDOT tracks development in areas that will affect state highways like US 30 and continually evaluates Wyoming’s transportation system in response to, and in anticipation of change.

In addition, WYDOT recognizes the concerns residents have about using the Whitney/US 30 intersection, particularly when turning left from northbound Whitney onto westbound US 30.

One factor in recent crashes at the intersection is a shadowing effect for drivers on Whitney Road, in which cars headed eastbound on U.S. 30 may be hidden from view by cars turning south onto Whitney. This new offset turn lane will reduce that effect and help drivers pick safer gaps in traffic to turn onto US 30.

Traffic data does not support adding a traffic signal at this time. Last fall, WYDOT added new stop bars and larger stop signs with flashing lights in response to residents’ concerns.

WYDOT still has a planned project in 2024 that will expand the current two-lane section of US 30 to five lanes (four travel lanes and a left turn lane).

For information about this news release, contact WYDOT District 1 public information specialist Matt Murphy at (307) 745-2142.