The recent cold weather slowed things down, but Phase 2 of the Sheridan Avenue rehabilitation project is still moving forward and on track to stay on schedule.
Cody Beers, WYDOT Public Relations Specialist, says the recent sub-zero temperatures delayed their efforts a few days. Forecasts call for consistently higher temperatures this week and beyond, so the missed days can easily be made up.
Concrete is the biggest thing needed for the work to settle smoothly. WYDOT is currently stretching its concrete needs across two projects: Sheridan Avenue and the Chief Joseph Dead Indian Pass Slide. Both roads need concrete at their current stages and are mutually working around their needs.
On Oct. 28, there will be a large concrete pour on the DIP Slide, then another large pour on Sheridan Avenue on Oct. 29 – weather permitting. There was still drifting snow on the pass earlier this week.
“The problem now is when they dig a hole, they got to cover it up during the night, so it doesn’t freeze,” Beers says. “When they pour concrete, they need to cover it every night, so it has time to cure – and doesn’t freeze. So, there’s more work to do now as we’re approaching winter.”
Despite the chill, Phase 2 on Sheridan Avenue is still on track to be completed by Thanksgiving.
Traffic patterns on Sheridan Avenue shift Wednesday, right about the time most Cody residents will be heading to work. The northeast side of the intersection at 16th and Sheridan will reopen as the northwest side closes. From there, the work doubles back towards Alger Ave to finish off the work started in late August.
Beers also noted that, while many drivers continue to be ‘impatient’ with the construction, things have been better since local law enforcement has increased their presence around the work zone.
“We appreciate the help. We appreciate the high visibility of the law enforcement,” Beers explains. “It’s not our goal to see people have tickets written or get arrested or anything like that. It’s more of our goal to keep everyone safe on the project.”
The easier way to avoid a citation when traveling thru the work zone is to follow the rules: the speed limit is 20 mph at all times and no left turns are permitted.
Once Thanksgiving rolls around, everything will be free and uninhibited, just as it was during the summer. There will be no signs of construction nor any equipment left behind.
WYDOT will be back in Spring 2021 to begin Phase 3 – working up the Greybull hill towards Stampede Avenue. This will be the final phase of the Sheridan Avenue rehabilitation project.
