Work resumes on I-80 Winter Freight project

RAWLINS, Wyo. — Crews with Simon Contractors and the Wyoming Department of Transportation have resumed work on the Interstate 80 Winter Freight project between Rawlins and Laramie.

Crews are completing work at the Fort Steele Rest Area at mile marker 228 where they have built nearly 100 new semi-truck parking spaces. Work is also continuing at the Quealy Dome truck parking area at mile marker 290 where 100 more spaces have been added. 

The Fort Steele Rest Area, including parking areas, will remain closed during construction. Flaggers may be present to direct local traffic through the area. Please avoid parking on the on- and off-ramps in the Fort Steele interchange as it will likely impede work at the rest area. Once the project is complete, the rest area will reopen.

Traffic on I-80 will see minimal impacts as crews complete climbing lanes on I-80. There will be short lane closures in the eastbound lanes over Halleck Ridge (mile markers 250.5-252.5) west of Elk Mountain.

Watch for lane closures, reduced speed limits and other traffic changes during construction. Avoid distractions like cell phones when driving through work zones.

First started in the fall of 2020, the $20 million project is funded by a federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant and is expected to be complete in summer 2023.

Project scheduling is subject to change, including due to inclement weather and material or equipment availability.