WYDOT urges drivers to stop racing road closure gates

CHEYENNE (WNE) — The Wyoming Department of Transportation urges drivers to stop racing highway road closure gates this winter season.

WYDOT has experienced an increase in road closure gate crashes and near misses in recent winters as drivers try to race the gate as employees are lowering it. At least 23 recorded crashes have taken place since 2020, not to mention near misses.

“What drivers don’t understand is that they’re racing to be the first one on a closed road, not the last one on an open road,” said WYDOT assistant chief engineer Mark Ayen.

Per Wyoming statute, road closure signs — including overhead digital messaging signs — meet the requirements for notifying the public that a road is closed, even if WYDOT staff haven’t made it to a road closure gate yet.

“The gates have to be hand-cranked, which often means someone has to leave their plowing route to travel to the gate and lower it,” said Ayen. “Sometimes that can take as long as 45 minutes, especially for remote locations. We don’t want folks driving on what they think is an open road while we’re making our way to the gates. Drivers should heed all signage and check WYDOT’s 511 tools before traveling.”

Beyond ensuring safety for the public and WYDOT employees, fixing and replacing damaged road closure gates has cost the agency almost $180,000 over the last five years.

When WYDOT closes a road, it is for a good reason; whether it’s due to extremely limited visibility, drifting snow impacting the roadway, or a crash blocking all lanes. 

However, WYDOT does prioritize implementing travel authorizations through the Wyoming Travel Authorization Program to allow traffic on portions of closed roads for drivers to get to work, home, to livestock or other essential business as conditions allow.

This story was published on Dec. 6, 2025.