Contracts totaling nearly $28.8 million for 11 highway projects around the state, including five projects being funded with $10.8 million in federal economic stimulus money, were awarded by the Wyoming Transportation Commission during its July teleconference meeting.
WYDOT now has obligated $150.3 million of the $157.6 million in stimulus money it expects to get for highway projects. Federal Highway Administration figures indicate Wyoming continues to lead the nation in the percentage of its stimulus money already obligated for projects, and WYDOT expects to have the remainder of its stimulus money under contract by Sept. 17.
The largest contract awarded went to Cheyenne’s Reiman Corp., which submitted the low bid of $11.6 million for reconstruction and widening of two miles of US 16 (Hart Street) in Buffalo. The work between Main Street and the I-90 interchange will include installation of new storm sewers, curb, gutter and sidewalks. The contract completion date is Oct. 31. 2010.
The largest of the stimulus-funded contracts awarded was for a $3.8 million pavement overlay on 12 miles of WYO 50 south of Lakeway Drive in Gillette. Northern Improvement Co. of Fargo, N.D., was the low bidder for the contract that carries an Oct. 31, 2010 completion date.
Nearly 367 miles of highways in Carbon, Campbell, Converse, Goshen, Johnson, Natrona, Niobrara and Platte counties will get crack sealing to extend the life of the pavement under a $3.5 million contract awarded to Highway Improvement Inc. of Sioux Falls, S.D. The work is expected to be done by May 31, 2010.
A deteriorating 11-mile section of US 16-20 immediately west of Moneta will get a pavement overlay under a $3.3 million contract awarded to Lander’s Western Wyoming Construction. Western also won a $1.3 million stimulus-funded contract for a pavement overlay on nearly 6 miles of US 16-20 west of Manderson under a stimulus-funded contract. Both contracts carry a completion date of Sept. 30, 2010.
Deteriorating pavement on US 85 from Mule Creek Junction to six miles north will be milled off and replaced with a new pavement overlay under a $1.9 million stimulus-funded contract awarded to Northern Improvement Co. The work is not expected to begin until next year and the contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2010.
Cheyenne’s Knife River will extend Walsh Drive by about a block to connect with Yellowstone Highway (US 20-26-87) in Casper under a $1 million contract that includes a completion date of Aug. 31, 2010. The project also will lower the elevation of Yellowstone Highway for about 400 feet on each side of the new intersection.
Evanston’s Harrison Drive will get sidewalk repairs and improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with retaining walls and decorative lighting under a $936,000 stimulus-funded contract awarded to J Wright Development of Riverton, Utah. The contract completion date is Aug. 31, 2010.
Worland’s Hout Fencing of Wyoming will build about 10 miles of new snow fence along I-80 in Carbon, Sweetwater and Uinta counties under a $533,000 contract. The location and design of the snow fence sections are the result of field observations during a two-year blowing snow study and analysis of crash data. The fences are expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2010.
The deteriorating deck of the westbound overpass at I-80’s West Evanston Interchange will be repaired and get a pavement overlay under a $589,000 stimulus-funded contract awarded to Cannon Builders of Blackfoot, Idaho. The project also will include maintenance work on the bridge’s girders, and joint repairs and drainage culvert improvements on other I-80 bridges in the area. The work is expected to be done by Aug. 31, 2010.
Gillette’s Windcreek Services will install a new water line to the Guernsey Rest Area on US 26 under a $243,000 contract that includes a Nov. 30 completion date.