WYDOT to start construction on $46.4 million North Sheridan Interchange project

June 20, 2016

Construction of a new interchange on I-90 and work on several streets in Sheridan will start this summer as part of a $46.4 million North Sheridan Interchange project.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission during its Thursday meeting awarded the contract to Reiman Corp. of Cheyenne and High Country Construction Inc. of Lander. The project entails replacing the existing interchange with a new one about a mile north on I-90.

The work will also include realigning Decker Road and reconstructing North Main Street, and will be completed in four phases with a completion date of October 2019.

“We’re moving the North Sheridan Interchange primarily for safety reasons,” said Jerry Buckley, resident engineer in Sheridan. “We have a trumpet-style interchange in that area now, which means traffic comes off the westbound off ramp at 75 mph, goes into a curve and needs to slow down to the posted 20 mph speed.”

The eastbound ramp is more conventional, but traffic getting onto I-90 needs to accelerate up to highway speeds from about a 7-percent grade. That means it will take trucks longer to get up to speed during the 2-mile incline.

The interchange was built in the 1960s, and the reconstruction will address the current issues and provide a safe, direct regional access to the north Sheridan area.

Throughout the project, WYDOT will have traffic-control measures in place, said Scott Taylor, district construction engineer in Sheridan.

Phase one of the project will occur this year and consist of grading and dirt work for the new interchange and Decker Road. WYDOT anticipates traffic impacts will be minimal.

During phase two in 2017, construction will continue on the new North Interchange structure. Crews will also construct new alignments on North Main Street, Yellowtail Drive, Industrial Road and Decker Road. WYDOT will use pilot cars and flaggers throughout the construction zone to maintain two-way traffic. Access to all businesses will remain open.

For phase three in 2018, crews will reconstruct North Main Street from Fort Road to Goose Creek, and perform isolated reconstruction, widening and surfacing on the westbound lanes of I-90. Two-way traffic will be maintained in all areas.

In 2019 during phase four, isolated reconstruction, widening and new surfacing will move to the eastbound lanes of I-90.

WYDOT held a public meeting on the project in May and plans to hold another public meeting this summer with the contractor.