WYDOT addresses road closures

Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) will be installing gates on Highway 230, east of Riverside, to close a section of the highway during hazardous weather.

A WYDOT representative said these are additional safety measures that have been in planning for a couple years. The gates will be there to prevent commercial traffic from rerouting down surface streets when I-80 is shut down.

Residents have the option of registering for Wyoming Travel Authorization program (W-TAP) which allows drivers to receive authorization to travel on sections of road that may be closed. Participants will be notified by email when authorizations are in place. Travel status can also be checked on an automated phone system and the Wyoming 511 mobile app.

W-TAP is also useful even when there aren’t weather related closures. It also notifies you of accidents that have stalled traffic and any other issues that may delay travel.

Snow and wind cause many issues and wreak chaos on Wyoming highways. People that are not accustomed to this area, for example–long haul truckers, are seldom aware of how dangerous driving under these conditions can be. The gates are there to mitigate dangers, especially for local commuters.

WYDOT’s website is easy to navigate and signing up for the Wyoming Travel Authorization program only takes a few minutes. https://w-tap.wyoroad.info/w-tap/.