U.S. 287 improvements scheduled to begin May 11 southeast of Lander; cyclists warned of potential conditions

Asphalt milling is scheduled to begin May 11 on a highway and bridge improvement project on U.S. 287 beginning about 15 miles southeast of Lander.

The 4.66-mile project is located between mileposts 64.27 and 59.61.

LeGrand Johnson Construction of Logan, Utah, is the prime contractor on the $4.92 million Beaver Creek West project, the second of two projects between Lander and Jeffrey City on U.S. 287. The Beaver Creek East project was built in 2013.

"The contractor's plan is to be milling asphalt on Monday, May 11, and we may see the start of dirt work as early as May 18," said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Erik Smith of Lander. "Three areas of reconstruction are part of this project."

Smith said drivers should expect traffic delays of up to 20 minutes during the project, and a 14-foot width restriction will be in effect beginning May 15.

WYDOT and the prime contractor are installing signs warning bicyclists and motorcyclists near Lander at the Rawlins Junction (U.S. 287/Wyoming 28 intersection) and at the Sweetwater Station Rest Area (U.S. 287/Wyoming 135 intersection) of the U.S. 287 highway construction activities.

Two years ago on the Beaver Creek East project, motorcyclists encountered slippery driving conditions during an extended period of rain and thunderstorms on U.S. 287. "When wet, the soils between Lander and Jeffrey City become quite slick," Smith said. "Motorcyclists are welcome to drive through this summer's project, but the signs are an attempt to offer an alternative to driving through the project which at times may have challenging driving conditions for even the most experienced riders."

Motorcyclists and bicyclists driving southeast toward Rawlins will be encouraged to detour over South Pass on Wyoming 28, and to U.S. 191 and Rock Springs, or to ride north and take Wyoming 135 near Riverton back to U.S. 287 on top of Beaver Rim. Motorcyclists and bicyclists driving toward Lander on U.S. 287 will be encouraged to take Wyoming 135 at the Sweetwater Station Rest Area, drive to Riverton and then Lander on Wyoming 789.

"The safety of bicyclists and motorcyclists is a top priority through this project," Smith said. "WYDOT's mission charges us with maintaining a safe, high quality and efficient transportation system, and that's our goal with the Beaver Creek West project."

Contract completion date for the project is June 30, 2016.