Two 10-cent fuel tax projects included in $32 million in highway contracts awarded

Contracts totaling nearly $32.5 million for five highway projects around the state, including two to be funded through the state’s fuel tax increase, were awarded by the Wyoming Transportation Commission during its January meeting in Cheyenne.

The largest of the contracts went to Casper’s Hedquist Construction, which submitted the low bid of $16 million for improvements to 3.33 miles of Interstate 25 in Casper from north of the Poplar Street Interchange to north of the Wardwell Road Interchange. Deteriorating pavement will be ground off and replaced with a new layer of asphalt, bridges will be rehabilitated, five overhead electronic messages signs will be added to keep drivers informed of conditions ahead, and a variable speed limit sign will be added for the southbound lanes.

The project also will include resurfacing work on a section of Howard Street at the Wardwell Interchange and on the US 20-26 Shoshoni Bypass between I-25 and North Poplar Street. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2016.

Simon Contractors and Subsidiaries of Cheyenne was the low bidder at $7.3 million for improvements to 16 miles of I-80 between the West Elk Mountain and Cooper Cove interchanges. The work will include replacing damaged concrete slabs in the driving lane and then overlaying both the driving and passing lanes with a high-performance asphalt wearing course to provide better traction and a smoother ride, and prevent water from seeping into the joint between the two lanes. The contract limits the wearing course work to between June 1 and Sept. 15. The overall contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2015.

Simon also won a $5.9 million contract for shoulder widening and a new layer of pavement on US 30 in Rock River and 6 miles to the north. The shoulders will be widened to 6 feet from the current 2 feet or less to improve safety, and culverts will be replaced to improve drainage. The project will be paid for with revenue from the 10-cent fuel tax increase. With a final chip seal to follow next year, the contract completion date is July 31, 2016.

McGarvin-Moberly Construction of Worland was awarded a $3.1 million contract for resurfacing and chip sealing 10 miles of WYO 432 immediately south of Worland. The work will be paid for with revenue from the fuel tax increase, and the contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2015.

Cowley’s S&L Industrial won a $182,000 contract to upgrade specific service signs along I-80 across the state by Oct. 31, 2015. The signs let the traveling public know the location of gas, food, lodging, camping and pharmacy services available along the route, and include the logos of the businesses providing the services. User fees paid by the businesses cover the cost of making and installing the signs, and any maintenance the signs require.