Two-way traffic movements return to WYO 296 across Chief Joseph Slide

WYO 296 reopened to two-way traffic movements Wednesday across the Chief Joseph Slide area following several months of round-the-clock efforts to stabilize the slide northwest of Cody.

"The winter speed limit through the slide area will be 35 mph," said Todd Frost, Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer in Cody. "The driving surface will be crushed gravel base and recycled asphalt tailings. The 12-foot width restriction has been removed. Final paving and seeding can't be completed this year due to time restrictions and frozen ground." 

A public meeting updating residents of the Sunlight Basin and Crandall areas will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Chief Joseph RV Park. Everyone is invited to attend this post-2018 work meeting, which will feature a look-ahead to 2019 work plans.

Prime contractor Oftedal Construction, Inc., of Casper placed more than 290,000 cubic yards of dirt and rock below the existing highway between August and last week on the $5.54 million project. The contractor built the roadway across the slide beginning late last week, installed guardrail, and recycled asphalt tailings were added to the road base this week prior to the roadway reopening to two-way traffic.

By contract with WYDOT, the contractor was required to complete all work, except paving and final reclamation by Oct. 31, 2018, but the Wyoming Game and Fish Department gave approval through Friday, Nov. 16, to complete work. "Game and Fish has also given permission to do some minor work next week, including final placement of winter traffic control and some storm water work," Frost said.

Except for highway traffic movements, the Chief Joseph Slide area is closed annually to human activities between Nov. 15 and April 30 due to crucial wildlife winter range restrictions.

The contractor will resume work in May 2019, and by contract all work is required to be complete with work by June 30, 2019.

Work remaining in 2019 includes final shaping of topsoil and the borrow area across WYO 296 from Dead Indian Campground, seeding of the project area, paving and chip sealing across the slide area, installation of a new walking trail across the slide area/toe berm, and reconstruction of the trailhead and trailhead access roadway.

"The trail was not constructed this fall, as final shaping is needed first on the topsoil," Frost said. "The trailhead and trailhead access road were not completed this fall, because removal of the wrecked (Oftedal) haul truck from Dead Indian Creek needs to occur prior to final grading. At this point, no schedule is set for removal of the wrecked haul truck."

An Oftedal Construction Inc., truck driver, Ronald S. Frankenberry of Cody, died Oct. 12 following an incident on the slide repair project.

Frost said WYDOT maintenance workers will take over the roadway, including snow removal efforts, through the slide area beginning Friday, Nov. 16. 

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