Reopening of I-80 not expected until Saturday

WYDOT crews don't expect to be able to reopen I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie until sometime Saturday. An earlier reopening would require a break in the weather, which looked extremely unlikely Friday based on existing conditions and forecasts.

An additional 6 inches to 11 inches of snow were forecast for the area Friday night and into Saturday.

Two of the tractor-trailer rigs involved in the chain reaction crashes that closed the highway Thursday were split in half and spilled their cargo onto the highway. Efforts were still underway Friday to remove that cargo and the truck wreckage.

During the crash investigation and cleanup, crews were unable to plow the highway section, and the heavy, wet snow that built up became too heavy for plows to push off the highway.

A rotary plow will be required to clear some of the snow. Six plows from the Casper area and trucks from Pine Bluffs were sent to assist in the areas hardest hit by the major spring storm.

A fuel truck dispatched from Cheyenne Friday to help keep all the equipment running was delayed because a private vehicle that ran the road closure gate on WYO 210 got stuck, blocking the highway.

Speeds too fast for the blizzard conditions and loss of control are being investigated as factors contributing to the crashes Thursday that injured 27 people and involved more than 45 vehicles.

No fatalities resulted, but the Highway Patrol described six of the injuries as critical or serious and involving spine and leg injuries.

The initial event was reported at about 11:22 a.m. Thursday, at a time when the variable speed limit signs in the area had been set at 45 mph. The investigation eventually found 33 commercial vehicles and 12 passenger vehicles were involved in the largest of the three chain reaction crashes. Many other vehicles not involved in the crashes were blocked and stranded by the wreckage.

Twelve agencies from Albany and Laramie counties responded to assist in tending to the injured and assisting the Highway Patrol with the investigation.

Responding agencies in addition to the Highway Patrol and WYDOT included the Laramie County Sheriff's Office, Albany County Sheriff's Office, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, Laramie County Fire Districts 1, 2, and 10, AMR Ambulance, F.E. Warren First Responders, Wyoming National Guard First Responders, and the Laramie Fire Department. The American Red Cross and the Salvation Army and multiple towing companies also assisted.

Motorists delayed by the closure are asked to remain patient and check for updates at www.wyoroad.info or by calling 1-888-WYO-ROAD.