Traffic continues to increase on Wyoming’s roads for a third day

The increase in Wyoming traffic over a five-year average more than doubled on Friday as compared to Wednesday’s figures as the Aug. 21 solar eclipse nears.

Traffic counts increased to more than 74,000 when looking at a five-year average for the third Friday in August. Traffic increases are in the northwestern, western and southern parts of the state.

Wednesday had an increase of more than 30,000, while revised figures from Thursday showed an increase of more than 45,000, figures from the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s traffic counters showed.

The counties that saw the most traffic increases on Friday were in the northern, western and southern parts of the state and included Teton at 13,558 more vehicles, Sweetwater at 10,168 more vehicles, Uinta at 9,364 more vehicles, Fremont at 8,241 more vehicles, Carbon at 6,089 more vehicles and Lincoln at 5,575 more vehicles.

Although WYDOT can’t say for sure that the increase is the result of the eclipse, it is a good indicator it’s the result of the solar event. The increases don’t consider vehicles that pass the same spot multiple times a day, like commuter vehicles or local delivery vehicles. The traffic counts also don’t reflect all traffic movement in the state as all roads don’t have counters.

Southern Wyoming

Traffic increased on US 287 south of Tie Siding near the Colorado border by 60 percent (3,281 more vehicles). Traffic has steadily increased on that road over the past two days with Wednesday and Thursday’s figures showing a more than 40 percent increase.

Also in the southern part of the state, traffic on US 85 south of LaGrange increased by 50 percent (1,277 more vehicles) on Friday. On Wednesday, traffic increased by 36 percent and on Thursday by 40 percent.

Northwestern Wyoming

Traffic also continued to increase in the northwestern part of the state. On US 287 south of Diversion Dam north of Lander, there was a 76 percent (744 more vehicles) increase. Traffic increased by 16 percent on Wednesday and then 38 percent on Thursday, traffic counter figures showed.

Also on US 287 east of WYO 28 and Lander, traffic increased by 81 percent (1,026 more vehicles) on Friday. On Wednesday, traffic on that road increased by 22 percent and on Thursday by 45 percent.

Traffic continued to increase locally in several spots. Those areas include Jackson, Afton, Etna and Moran Junction along US 89, 189 and 191, which are high-volume roads in the state.

Traffic counts for US 89 south of Etna increased by about 31 percent (2,050 more vehicles), figures indicated. On US 26-89-189-191 south of Kelly near Jackson, traffic increased by almost 24 percent (3,355 more vehicles).

Some other areas in the northwestern part of the state where traffic continued to increase included:

• US 89-191-187 north of Moran Junction north of Jackson - 40 percent (1,861 more vehicles)
• US 89-191-187 south of Moran Junction near Jackson - 36 percent (1,912 more vehicles)
• US 89-191-187 near Colter Bay near the Grand Teton National Park - 17 percent (744 more vehicles)
• US 189 north of Lazeart Junction near Evanston - 48 percent (710 more vehicles)
• US 89 south of Afton - 37 percent (1,174 more vehicles)
• US 189-191 at Teton National Park - 34 percent (887 more vehicles)
• US 89 south of Etna - 31 percent (2,050 more vehicles)

Interstates

Traffic also increased along certain parts of I-80 in the central and western parts of the state. East of Evanston, traffic increased by 20 percent (3,562 more vehicles). West of Laramie on I-80, traffic increased by 24 percent (3,417 more vehicles). West of Rawlins on I-80, traffic increased by 15 percent (2,434 more vehicles). East of Little American on I-80, traffic increased by 15 percent (2,462 more vehicles). And, west of Green River, traffic increased by almost 12 percent (2,166 more vehicles).

Along I-25 traffic continued to increase in certain areas by about 10 percent. On I-25 near the Colorado border, traffic increased on Friday by 12 percent (3,549 more vehicles). North of Horse Creek, traffic increased by 24 percent (3,386 more vehicles). At Central Avenue, traffic increased by only by 8 percent (1,795 more vehicles), which was down from Thursday’s figure of almost 13 percent.

Traffic also increased along certain parts of I-90 in the northern part of the state, but not as much as the other interstates. On I-90, increases were between 5 and 10 percent.