Paving improvements under way on US 287 on Beaver Rim

A $2.85 million pavement improvement project, bridge rehabilitation and other work are bringing traffic delays to US 287 travelers on Beaver Rim, about 35 miles southeast of Lander.

Other work, which began last week between Sweetwater Station and the top of Beaver Rim on US 287, includes construction of a turning lane at US 287's junction with Bison Basin Road at the east end of the project. The turn lane is being built because of increased tourism, visitation and summer use of the historic trails in the area.

The remainder of the US 287 road work includes project grading, milling of the asphalt driving surface, placing pit run rock and crushed gravel, asphalt pavement surfacing and chip sealing on the 5.98-mile project between Muddy Gap and Lander.

Bridge rehabilitation is occurring at the Sweetwater River bridge near Sweetwater Station (milepost 41.62) and the Antelope Creek bridge at milepost 46.34, according to Brian Martin, Wyoming Department of Transportation project engineer in Lander.

Bridge repairs include guardrail updates at the Sweetwater River bridge, drainage work, approach slab replacement and an epoxy overlay of the two bridge decks.

"Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes while paving activities are under way," Martin said. "Traffic is also being restricted to a single lane each way over the two bridges while the epoxy overlays are being completed, and in the area where the turning lane is being constructed."

Paving work by McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland, including placement of the chip seal finish, is expected to take about a month to complete.

The $2.85 million project was awarded in January 2017 by the Wyoming Transportation Commission.

For information about WYDOT's work, contact public relations specialist Cody Beers at (307) 431-1803.