Passing lane construction begins between Riverton and Hudson on WYO 789

Construction of 1.8 miles of passing lanes is the highlight of a $6.8 million project under way between Hudson and Riverton on WYO 789.

Prime contractor is McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland, and the dirt subcontractor is High Country Construction Inc., of Lander.

When construction is complete, the passing lanes north of Hudson will be a four-lane section of WYO 789 with passing opportunities in each direction. "The new 1.8-mile, four-lane highway section will begin about 5 miles north of Hudson and continue for 1.8 miles (mileposts 95.46 to 97.27)," said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Erik Smith of Lander.

Besides construction of passing lanes, the project's scope of work includes a 3-inch pavement overlay, chip seal finish, grading, draining, placing crushed gravel base, fencing, bridge repair and other work on about 7 miles of WYO 789.

The contractor's current work schedule calls for topsoil removal, excavation, placement of crushed gravel base, and pipe installation through July 15. Bridge work includes bridge deck repair over Rogers and Gregg Ditch, installing a box culvert extension, and placement of grouted rip-rap at Lamoureux Draw through Sept. 24.

"Please slow down for workers; the work zone is currently signed at 45 mph, and motorists should expect delays in the work zone," Smith said.

Paving and chip sealing of WYO 789 is scheduled between late June and late July.

Contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2019.

For information about WYDOT's work, contact WYDOT public relations specialist Cody Beers at (307) 431-1803.