WYDOT Opens Alpine Roads Early
Written by Andrew-Rossi on May 25, 2018
Wyoming Department of Transportation crews reopened all of the state’s alpine highways weeks ahead of schedule.
Highway 14A between Lovell and Burgess Junction opened on Tuesday, May 22nd, which is earlier than it has in the past. Typically, WYDOT crews open that road towards the end of May. Additionally, Snowy Range and Battle Pass in the southern part of the state reopened on Monday, and those highways are usually closed until Memorial Day weekend or the early part of June.
Gregg Fredrick, chief engineer for WYDOT, commended the crews who worked hard to reopen the high-elevation passes. Crews working in the Bighorns encountered deep snow from a wet winter, while the southern highways were hampered by thick ice and the effects of recent beetle kill mitigation.
Although the roads are now open, WYDOT may have to close them again if the area gets a spring storm. Runoff from the existing snow in the area and wet colder nights could cause icy patches to develop on the roads, so motorists are asked to use caution when traveling.