Crash cleanup complete, guardrail repaired in Wind River Canyon
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Courtesy/WYDOT
Wyoming Department of Transportation crews and a construction firm worked over the weekend to repair the guardrail damaged when this semi went over the side in Wind River Canyon last week.
THERMOPOLIS - A reduced speed limit of 30 mph remains in place Monday about 10 miles south of Thermopolis in Wind River Canyon on U.S. 20/Wyoming 789 after a semi-crash this past Thursday.
"The speed limit is scheduled to return to 65 mph Tuesday after signs are removed from the area where the semi-truck crashed last Thursday night. Replacement of the destroyed guardrail was completed by Sunday night," said Clint Huckfeldt, Wyoming Department of Transportation area maintenance supervisor. "We appreciate everyone's patience during the delays Friday through Sunday."
A semi-truck hauling bulk sugar left the roadway Thursday, Jan. 14, at about 11 p.m., crashed through the guardrail and ended up on the edge of the Wind River over a steep embankment in an area called "Big Windy." The driver of the truck was uninjured except for bumps and bruises; the Wyoming Highway Patrol investigated and cited the truck driver for "driving too fast for conditions."
It was slick and snowing when the crash occurred, and a WYDOT plow truck was working inside the canyon. WYDOT was notified of the crash at 11:22 p.m. Thursday.
Most of the crashed semi-truck didn't crash into the Wind River, but it is overturned on the steep embankment at milepost 121.8.
It took parts of two days to remove the crashed truck and trailers from the river's edge, and during that time, traffic was delayed for up to an hour at a time. The towing effort was complete by Saturday afternoon. Sunday, K's Construction of Otto, Wyo., responded to the crash scene and replaced the destroyed 400-500-foot section of guardrail.
"We really appreciate the quick response by K's Construction. They really went above and beyond the call on Sunday to replace the guardrail," Huckfeldt said. "We appreciate their efforts, as they enhanced highway safety with their quick response."
WYDOT advises all drivers to monitor road conditions during winter weather, to avoid using cruise control, to always buckle up, and to drive at lower speeds.
"Please drive for the road conditions and slow down. That white and black sign translates to the maximum speed allowed by law. It's OK to drive slower than the speed limit," said WYDOT Traffic Engineer Randy Merritt. "It's better to arrive safely at your destination a few minutes late, than not at all."
These information links may help plan your winter outings:
- National Weather Service (Riverton) – www.crh.noaa.gov/riv
- WYDOT road conditions – www.wyoroad.info
- WYDOT road conditions – 1-888-WYO-ROAD
- 511 Notify – Dial 511 on your cell phone to obtain road information. This system can also be enabled to deliver road alerts as text messages to your phone or e-mails to your computer or phone on routes that the user identifies. Go to www/wyoroad.info and choose the 511 notify icon to set-up your account.
In case of emergency, the following number may be contacted for assistance:
- Wyoming Highway Patrol (24 hours per day) - (800) 442-9090.
