Overpass being replaced
Photo by Kim Dean/NLJ Phase One of work on the U.S. 16 Bypass railroad bridge in Newcastle has begun. Wyoming Department of Transportation and its contractor, S&S Builders, LLC, are replacing the bridge deck and guardrail, along with bridge rail and fencing of the railroad bridge. The normal four lanes of traffic on the bridge have been reduced to two lanes, with the sidewalk closed to pedestrians.
WYDOT expects lengthy timeline on 49-year-old bridge
The Wyoming Department of Transportation has begun work on the U.S. Highway 16 Bypass in Newcastle, according to Laura Dalles, senior public relations specialist for District 4. This project is one of five bridges in District 4 currently being worked on.
Originally built in 1975, there is no significant issue with the bridge other than the overall condition and age of the structure, she said, noting that this is the reason for the replacement project.
“We will be replacing the bridge deck, guardrail, bridge rail, and fencing in the project area,” Dalles told the News Letter Journal in an email. She noted the work is being completed by S&S Builders.
She said the project will be completed in two different phases. The first phase, currently underway, will use traffic control that includes a reduced speed limit through the work zone. One side of the bridge will be closed and traffic will be pushed to the other side “where we will have two-way head-to-head traffic” with occasional flagging operations.
Also involved in the first phase of the project, Dalles said, is the closure of the sidewalk to the public. She noted that the sidewalk should be open during phase two.
That second phase, however, will have traffic limited to only one lane of travel and it will be controlled by a traffic signal according to Dalles.
She said that while she does not know the exact schedule of the project, it is expected to take months and the total cost of the overpass overhaul is $5.1 million.
Because of the length of time of the project, Dalles said that WYDOT is asking for the
public’s patience, cooperation with traffic control and understanding during the duration of the work.