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Wyoming DOT outlines repairs and safety upgrades for Green River tunnels; westbound lane goal set for Oct. 31
Summary
Wyoming Department of Transportation officials detailed damage assessment and a phased repair plan for the I‑80 Green River tunnels after a multi‑vehicle fire and collision on Feb. 14, 2025. DOT aims to reopen the westbound tunnel to traffic by Oct. 31 and pursue further intelligence and fire‑suppression upgrades next year.
Wyoming Department of Transportation district engineer John Eddins told the Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners on July 1 that crews have assessed tunnel damage from the Feb. 14, 2025 crash and are advertising a repair contract that aims to return traffic to the westbound tunnel by Oct. 31, 2025.
Eddins said the incident involved 26 vehicles and three fatalities and required an immediate traffic detour onto Flaming Gorge Way (I‑80 Business). “We were able to get concrete barrier set, headlights screening on top of the barrier, and we put 2 lane, 2 way traffic in the eastbound tunnel on I‑80,” he said. He described recurring problems with barrier alignment and a damaged crossover that required repair.
DOT hired Clean Harbors on an emergency basis to remove burned vehicles and debris and brought in tunnel specialist WSP to core samples and test damaged tunnel liner and rebar. The upcoming repair contract calls for hydroblasting, shotcrete, cutting and splicing damaged rebar, and replacing lighting and control systems, Eddins said. “Part of that job will also be to put back in a new lighting system with... upgrade all the controls in that westbound tunnel, and get that ready,” he said.
Nut graf: The immediate contract is a damage‑repair job to restore structural liner, lighting and controls so the westbound bore can safely reopen. DOT also plans a second project to add monitoring, cameras and a dry fire‑suppression system to reduce the risk and speed incident response.
DOT described the schedule as a two‑phase approach. The first contract, advertised with bid opening July 10, focuses on liner repair, lighting, curb replacement and paint/sandblasting. Eddins said an October 31 target date is the current goal for reopening the westbound tunnel to traffic. A subsequent project, anticipated in 2026, will add intelligent transportation system (ITS) devices — pan/tilt/zoom cameras, sensors, and dynamic message signs — and a dry fire‑suppression piping system that would allow water to be delivered to nozzles without sending personnel into the bore.
Commissioners asked about the condition of the eastbound tunnel after several months of two‑way traffic. Eddins said restricting large loads to approved legal limits reduced damage risk and that “everything’s holding together pretty good.” He confirmed ITS devices will be linked to dynamic message signs so operators can warn approaching drivers or close the tunnels remotely: “These will be linked to... blank out signs. If traffic comes to a halt... those dynamic message signs should just say ‘Road closed. Take Exit 91,’” he said.
DOT noted work already completed: removal of burnt lighting infrastructure, DeBernardi repairs to concrete pavement, and sandblasting by Mandros to prepare surfaces for painting. Eddins said the long‑term measures are aimed at preventing a repeat of the February incident and improving remote detection and response.
Ending: Commissioners thanked DOT for the update and encouraged outreach to the public as repairs proceed. No formal county action was taken at the July 1 meeting; DOT will continue procurement and construction under state contracts.
