Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

WORLAND – The Wyoming Department of Transportation office in Worland held their first weekly informational meeting on Tuesday, to address community concerns during an Americans with Disabilities Act improvement project to replace sidewalks and easements from 10th to 23rd Street. There is a completion date of Oct. 31, 2017.

Led by WYDOT Project Engineer Jordan Erz, the meetings are designed to share information on the progress of the construction, and consider concerns from local business. Although no one showed up for the first meeting, Erz is certain the public will have questions for future meetings. “We’re just getting started this week,” said Erz, “attitudes might change a bit once we get rolling.”

One concern Erz is expecting is how business entrances and drives will be affected during the project. “Once we replace those entrances, it’ll take five to seven days [for the concrete] to fully cure, so that’s when problems are going to arise,” noted Erz.

As discussed by Erz and contractor EHC LLC Supervisor Dave Bublitz, chemical accelerators can be used to help the concrete cure faster, limiting inconvenience times to local businesses along the construction route.

In the meantime, Erz is ready for any problems or complaints from Big Horn Avenue occupants.

“It’s kind of nice because we have the long [Labor Day] weekend coming up, so we shouldn’t hear too many concerns until a few weeks into the process,” said Erz.

The $1.13 million project will ultimately alleviate existing problems with the main street sidewalks, and provide enhanced support for handicap access.

In conjunction, the City of Worland will be replacing conduit and fixing drainage issues along 15th Street, one block south of Big Horn Avenue.

The public meetings are scheduled for every Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the WYDOT offices, across from McDonald’s.