Transportation Commission awards $24 million in contracts at April meeting

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded a total of $24 million in contracts for road reconstruction, bridge rehabilitation, sign replacement and other various work during its meeting in April.

The commission awarded contracts for 12 projects throughout the state, including one which will be funded through increased fuel tax revenue.

Reiman Corp. of Cheyenne won the largest contract with a low bid of $10.4 million to reconstruct and add shoulders to 6.35 miles of road and replace two bridges along WYO 193 near Story in Johnson and Sheridan counties. For the road work, WYDOT will do grading, draining, milling and paving work. The bridges are being replaced within that section of road because of their age and condition. During construction, WYDOT will be using flaggers and pilot cars. The project is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2017.

Oftedal Construction Inc. of Casper was the low bidder on a $3.8 million project north of Cody that involves leveling and chip sealing on 13.32 miles of WYO 296 on the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway and repairing the Pat O’Hara bridge on WYO 296. Crews will also do pavement rehabilitation and slide repair work in Paint Creek Canyon on WYO 296. At the Pat O’Hara bridge and the slide area, traffic will be down to one lane. WYDOT will have flaggers and temporary traffic signals in place, and motorists may experience delays of up to 20 minutes when traveling through parts of the construction zone. The project is being paid for with 10-cent fuel-tax revenue, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2017.

Modern Electric of Casper won a $2.6 million contract for the installation of variable message signs, guardrails and lights. The variable message signs will be installed on I-25 and US 26 between Wheatland and Dwyer Junction. Crews will also install tower lighting at the Orin Junction rest area on I-25 south of Douglas and at the Cheyenne River rest area north of Douglas. The contract completion date is Sept. 30, 2017.

Simon Contractors of Cheyenne came in as the low bidder on a $2.4 million project in Laramie. The project will consist of 0.71 miles of new road being installed that will tie in Boulder Street and Bill Nye Avenue. Crews will install curbs, gutters, sidewalks, bicycle paths, median islands and street lights on the new section. The work is part of a city of Laramie project, and is being paid for with federal funds. As a result, WYDOT has oversight over the project and has completed the design work and is doing the contract management. The project is expected to be completed by July 31, 2017.

Cannon Builders Inc. of Blackfoot, Idaho, won a $1.7 million contract for bridge work near Lyman before the Bridger Valley Interchange on I-80. The work will include bridge rehabilitation and structure repair stemming from a pothole on the bridge that can’t be fixed. Crews will install a new deck and perform approach slab work. The work will impact the eastbound lanes. Eastbound traffic will be diverted to the westbound lanes, with one lane open for westbound and one for eastbound traffic. The project is expected to be completed Oct. 21, 2016.

Streamline Markings Inc. of Billings, Mont., will install epoxy striping on various roads in Albany, Campbell, Laramie, Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton and Uinta counties after winning the contract with a low bid of $1.2 million. Crews will grind off the old epoxy and add the new one. Epoxy striping, which is known for its durability, is combined with reflective beads to make the markings more noticeable.  

Also awarded by the commission were contracts for:

• $982,581 to K’s Construction Inc. of Powell for guardrail replacement work on 4.34 miles of WYO 120 between Meeteetse and Cody by Oct. 31;
• $416,180 to Simon Contractors of Cheyenne for repairs to a bridge on I-90 over WYO 59 near Gillette that includes girder and other minor repairs by July 31;
• $238,523 to B & F Enterprises of Hudson for the installation of new fence along 7.75 miles of US 191 south of Rock Springs by Oct. 31;
• $217,820 to S & L Industrial of Cowley for the replacement of about 96 logo traffic signs, which tell travelers where food, gas and lodging is, in various locations in Campbell, Converse, Crook, Johnson, Laramie, Natrona, Platte and Sheridan counties by Oct. 31;
• $187,255 to A & H Co. of Ironton, Minn., for the installation of delineators, which are guides that tell motorists where the road ends, on about 75 miles of highway in various sections of southeast Wyoming by Oct. 31.
• $151,015 to Modern Electric Co. of Casper for the installation of a pedestrian walkway on Coffeen Avenue (US 87 Business), and lighting at the US 14 interchange off I-90 in Sheridan by Oct. 15.