WILSON, Wyo. — Heads up, commuters: The WY22 bridge over Fish Creek in Wilson (near Pearl Street Bagels and the post office) is slated to be repaired this month following the discovery of damage to the bridge’s cap structure during a routine inspection.
Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Resident Engineer Bob Hammond explained to Buckrail that the bridge is a combination of wood and steel construction. The original timber structure was built in the 1940s, and an expansion in the mid-1970s incorporated steel elements. The damage was discovered in the wooden pile caps, which are long timber beams that connect the bridge’s piles to its frame and foundation.
At a Wednesday morning meeting, the WYDOT Commission awarded an emergency contract valued at $768,000 to Cheyenne-based Reiman Corp. to handle the repairs. Hammond anticipates that the road work schedule will get nailed down in the next week or so. WYDOT estimates a completion date of Nov. 15.
The bridge was already scheduled for replacement in 2028 as part of the agency’s State Transportation Improvement Plan, but design work and National Environmental Policy Act approvals are likely to take another few years. Hammond said this smaller fix will be a holdover solution until the big overhaul can be completed.
“Although there is no danger of failure, WYDOT had concerns with the bridge’s ability to safely support larger vehicles like snow plows without further damage,” WYDOT’s press release reads. “In order to safely support heavier traffic, WYDOT proposed an emergency contract to make immediate repairs to the bridge.”
Work will necessitate a bridge closure, and thus a detour for drivers heading into and out of Jackson. The exact detour route will be publicized once the repair schedule has been established, WYDOT noted. Expect to use a combination of West Street, Main Street, Second Street and HHR Ranch Road.
“We know this is a huge impact to the community of Wilson and we want to do everything we can to minimize that,” Hammond said.
During the detour and bridge closure, parking in the area will be restricted to a “minimum distance of 2 feet beyond the edge of pavement, and certain areas will likely be barricaded off using traffic control devices to prevent vehicle parking,” WYDOT’s statement reads. “Drivers should also expect to see additional traffic control devices installed around the intersection of West Street and Main Street to assist detour drivers.”
Stay tuned for more details as WYDOT firms up its plan.
