WYDOT aims to complete tunnel repairs before winter

ROCK SPRINGS (WNE) — In an effort to keep the construction project moving forward, the Wyoming Department of Transportation has been looking at several ways to fix the Green River tunnels before the holidays.

“Our whole intent is we’d like to have all these repairs completed before the upcoming winter season,” WYDOT Chief Engineer Keith Fulton said.

Members of the Wyoming Transportation Commission listened to the Green River tunnel update and had a contract discussion during their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 27.

On Feb. 14, a crash occurred in the Green River tunnel, involving 26 vehicles. According to Fulton, six commercial vehicles and two passenger vehicles were completely destroyed by fire and three individuals died. WYDOT immediately detoured all traffic through Green River while crews worked the scene.

By April 7, WYDOT was able to do its in-depth inspections. Inspection results showed that it needs to do concrete repairs on the roadway, repair the tunnel liner, repaint the tunnel liner and replace the lighting system.

Fulton said he is pushing “to get this all the work done by October,” as he presented two items for the commission’s approval. The first one is the award of bids to repair the concrete pavement, completely removing all the old tunnel lighting and immediate blasting of the tunnel to prep for painting. 

The second item was the approval of the advanced purchase of lighting fixtures.

This story was published on May 31, 2025.