(0:10) On 189, it connects Cameron Diamondville area to the interstate down there, Interstate 80. (0:17) Tell us about those overpasses, underpasses that are coming along this. (0:21) Yeah, this project will entail installing seven underpasses and one overpass (0:27) over about 30 roadway miles on US-189.

(0:32) Over 30 miles. (0:33) 30 miles long from start to finish. (0:34) Once again, the number of the over-underpasses? (0:37) There’s seven underpasses and one overpass.

(0:39) This is going to take some time. (0:41) It’s going to take some time, yeah. (0:42) We’re going to need patience with you folks that are putting it all together, right? (0:45) Yes, we hope so.

(0:48) The whole section will be fenced with the 8-foot tall deer fence. (0:53) We’re looking at installing about 62 miles worth of deer fence. (0:58) That’s quite the undertaking all on its own, (1:00) let alone the structure work that we’re going to do on the roadway itself, too.

(1:04) Okay. (1:05) Those overpasses, underpasses, you’ve been working with Wyoming Game and Fish Department on those (1:09) as far as addressing migration routes. (1:12) This protects our wildlife in that part of the state? (1:14) Yes.

(1:15) Yeah, we usually try to get with Game and Fish. (1:17) They’ve got really good collar data and know where the animals like to tend to go. (1:21) So if we can put some structures there, then it’s going to be better for everybody else.

(1:25) We also have to make it work with the roadway itself, so it gets a little tricky sometimes. (1:30) Tell us what goes into developing an underpass or an overpass. (1:34) This is no easy project.

(1:35) You, speaking as an engineer, kind of take us in-depth into what is involved in putting one of these (1:42) or seven of these together. (1:43) Like you said, the first thing we like to start with is where are the animals anyway? (1:48) It’ll help the project in the end if we can get close to them. (1:50) Then we’ve got to look at is there enough depth of roadway there to put a 12 foot by 20 foot (1:57) cross-section box underneath there and then have dirt on top of it.

(2:02) So you have to have a, you can’t have a flat kind of road where we get a lot of those in Wyoming. (2:08) So you’ve got to find a draw or something else where you can put it in there without having to do (2:13) a whole bunch more work to the surface of the roadway. (2:15) All that went into the decision making.

(2:17) Yes, yep. (2:18) And what time do we start, what date? (2:22) What’s the outlook for that as we have an unusually warm spring? (2:26) Does this help you? (2:27) Yes, it helps. (2:28) The construction crews are definitely ready and raring to go.

(2:31) So they’re out this week getting started. (2:34) The bulk of the work will start around April 1st, probably impacting traffic just a little bit after that. (2:41) The completion date for the project itself is October of 2027.

(2:45) So we have all of this construction season and next construction season to get it finished. (2:50) Right now, off to Dahl is our prime contractor and they’re hoping to get most of it done this year. (2:56) A lot of things have to fall into place to make sure that actually works.

(2:59) While this goes on, there may be some delays. (3:01) People can route around on some gravel extension roads. (3:06) Is that the way I understand it? (3:08) Yes.

(3:08) For all the box culverts, we have a detour built off to the side of the road. (3:12) So we’ll set up some temporary signals, stop traffic in one way. (3:16) Traffic will go around that.

(3:17) Those delays should be less than five minutes a piece. (3:20) But we’ll have up to three of those going on at any given time. (3:25) So you might go down the road a couple miles and run into another signal.

(3:28) And then go down the road another four or five miles and run into another signal. (3:31) So be patient. (3:32) Yes.

(3:32) And on top of that, we’ll be working at the overpass structure most of the summer. (3:36) That one’s going to be quite a bit more involved. (3:38) Building retaining walls and a bunch of other work there.

(3:41) So that’ll be another spot where you may or may not get stopped. (3:45) All this on 189 between Kimmerick Diamondville and the interstate, Interstate 80. (3:50) Anything that we haven’t asked that you’d like to emphasize on this? (3:53) No.

(3:54) I think any locals that have had to drive the flats will realize that this area (3:58) definitely needs something to protect the deer. (4:01) A lot of wildlife lost there. (4:03) A lot of wildlife lost there.

(4:04) So we’re really hoping that once we are done making a mess of the area, (4:09) it’ll be much more safe for everybody to drive through it, (4:12) better for the deer, the antelope, all of them. (4:15) Very good. (4:16) Jennifer Hoffman, Wyoming Department of Transportation, (4:19) resident engineer out of the Kimmer office.