The Wyoming
Department of Transportation is brainstorming for ideas to keep
a section of I-80 in the state's southeast corner open during
some winter storms or in the event of vehicle crashes. WYDOT personnel
have met to exchange ideas and status reports as more monthly
meetings are planned in the future.
The growing
use of "just-in-time delivery" by businesses to cut
their inventory costs has made it more important than ever to
keep traffic moving, Director Sleeter Dover said in a released
statement. Policies and procedures are being worked out to balance
that need with the state patrol's concern for the safety of drivers
and investigators at crash sites. Increasing maintenance and highway
patrol personnel in the area and upgrading equipment are among
the steps being considered.
One change
already agreed upon as a likely improvement is setting a time
limit for removing crash wreckage from the highway. If the wreckage
isn't removed with the time limit WYDOT would use its equipment
to push the wreckage off the highway, Dover said. One other proposal
for getting traffic around storms and wreckage is using a section
of U.S. 30 as an alternate route.
One recommendation
to help prevent crashes is more widespread use of message signs
at strategic locations to alert drivers to conditions ahead and
recommend safe speeds. Adding flashing lights to call attention
to signs advising drivers to tune their radios to 1610 to hear
updated road conditions and closure information via highway advisory
radio stations also is recommended.
