WYDOT crews work to reopen roads Thursday

Wyoming Department of Transportation crews are working to reopen roads that closed Wednesday during a spring storm that created blizzard conditions and has caused high snow drifts.

Closures continue along sections of interstates 80, 25 and 90 and other roads in the state Thursday morning. Crews are battling snow drifts, with some reportedly as high as 10 feet on I-80 in the Laramie and Arlington areas of southeast Wyoming.

Continued high winds could hamper visibility. Crews are dealing with strong winds east of Laramie on I-80 that are gusting to around 45 mph. Crews are also encountering gusty winds along parts of I-25, with winds as high as 40 mph in some locations.

However, once crews get road surfaces clear and visibility improves, the roads will begin to reopen. In southeast Wyoming, WYDOT is also coordinating with partner agencies in Nebraska and Colorado on road openings where applicable.

Gov. Mark Gordon praised the work of WYDOT and the Wyoming Highway Patrol during the storm and for their assistance to stranded travelers. 

“First responders, our troopers and snow plow teams have been at this for hours now, and everyone’s efforts show that Wyomingites handle themselves well,” Gordon said in a news release March 14.

For the latest on these roads closures and to learn about road conditions, visit WYDOT’s 511 website.

Road closures began on Wednesday as a dangerous spring storm moved into the state, causing blizzard conditions along the eastern side and snowy and additional windy conditions throughout Wyoming.

State officials closed the Cheyenne offices on Wednesday and Thursday due to the storm, including WYDOT’s Cheyenne office. WYDOT’s Laramie and Rawlins offices closed at noon on Wednesday. The Laramie office also remains closed Thursday but Rawlins will reopen at noon.

However, WYDOT maintenance, Wyoming Highway Patrol and Dispatch are unaffected by the office closures.

The storm started Tuesday evening with rain, sleet and snow. By Wednesday morning, the storm changed to snow with high winds. Blizzard conditions continued throughout the day in parts of the eastern side of the state.

The storm produced additional moderate to heavy banding of snow across all but the far west and northwest parts of the state late Wednesday, information from DayWeather indicated. Widespread winds from the north and northwest were at 25 to 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 65 mph .

WYDOT prepared for the storm by moving additional snow-removal equipment to interstates 80, 25 and 90 and other primary roads to help combat the major spring snowstorm.

WYDOT officials planned to shift the department’s equipment to the interstates and other high priority roads, generally from the northwest to the southeast. If necessary, WYDOT will hire private resources to help with snow-removal efforts. 

Motorists can visit WYDOT’s 511 website for the latest road and travel conditions.