ROCK SPRINGS (WNE) — The Wyoming Department of Transportation and contract crews are on schedule to open the westbound tunnel on Interstate 80 near Green River to traffic by the end of November.

Crews have completed the concrete repair work on the tunnel liner, curb and roadway pavement inside the westbound tunnel and will be working on cleaning and sealing the joints this week. 

In addition, the preparatory work for the installation of the lighting is also close to completion.

Striping, guardrail and temporary traffic control and signage will be constructed over the coming weeks. 

WYDOT and crews are working toward opening the westbound tunnel to traffic by the end of November, barring any unforeseen delays.

Drivers should note that the westbound tunnel will reopen to traffic for the winter but at reduced speeds and without the completion of all the lighting infrastructure.

“We should have about half the lights installed, so for safety reasons, we have elected to reduce the speed through the westbound tunnel. But we wanted to get traffic moving in the westbound tunnel, so we wouldn’t have to run head-to-head traffic in the eastbound tunnel over the winter,” District 3 construction engineer Peter Stinchcomb said.

When both tunnels are reopened, drivers should expect reduced speeds in the westbound tunnel and additional signage and traffic control.

Unpredictable weather and other variables may necessitate last-minute changes to the plans.