ROADS/BRIDGES: Viaduct replacement at top of list for new WYDOT projects

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) will soon start work on a $23.5 million viaduct and road project in Laramie which will replace the deficient Clark Street viaduct and improve traffic flow.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the Harney Street viaduct contract to S & S Builders of Gillette during its meeting on Oct. 20. The contract was one of six the commission awarded totaling $30 million.

The new viaduct will replace the 53-year-old Clark Street viaduct, which has physical deterioration and doesn’t have the appropriate width to accommodate vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Construction is expected to start in the spring and be completed by July 31, 2019.

The viaduct work is part of 1.33 miles of construction that also includes connecting traffic with Snowy Range Road, WYO 230, and widening the Laramie River Bridge to four lanes. WYDOT will construct a new section of Snowy Range Road across the railroad tracks. The road will curve around the west side of the community and connect to the existing Snowy Range Road.

The new viaduct will provide continuous east-west transportation system connection that will better serve corridor traffic movements through Laramie. It will also provide transportation service, increased capacity and improved functionality needed for future growth.