JACKSON HOLE, WYO –Traffic on S. Highway 89 was slowed considerably this morning as construction is ramping up for the spring/summer season. Commuters—especially those northbound on their way to Jackson—found the going slow with long standstills as flaggers worked shuffle traffic through a temporary single shared lane.
Speed reductions include stretches of 40-45 mph, further reduced to 30 mph through two detours on bridge decks over the Snake River and Flat Creek.
Wadsworth is making every effort to confine the most disruptive work to off-hours and non-rush hour times but this morning was brutal. Some motorists reported up to 45-minute delays in their morning commute today.
Most of the blame was put on a pipe installation that called for one-lane alternating traffic around the work zone on a dirt surface. The process was slow and tedious, but that work appears to have been completed by the end of the day.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we get going hard this summer to get to the paving planned in June,” said WYDOT resident engineer Bob Hammond.
The afternoon commute home appeared much smoother.
A reminder: It’s only April and construction is just beginning. Motorists will have to pack some patience this summer and factor in extra travel time to get where they are going on time.
