WYDOT projects hit by cost escalations

During the annual presentation from WYDOT on proposed upcoming state transportation improvement projects, District Engineer Scott Taylor told the county commissioners last week that rising costs have had a serious impact on what the department is able to achieve.

The department was forced to delay $70 million's worth of projects in 2023 due to this issue, Taylor said.

"We're all getting hit by that pretty hard right now," said of the cost escalations.

"Just over the last couple of years it's increased so much that we've had to delay projects here this summer."

For example, he said, plant mix, fencing, structural steel and guard rails have all almost doubled. The "big one" is asphalt liner, and milling has "definitely gone up".

Nevertheless, Taylor assured the commissioners, WYDOT expects to spend a six-year total of almost $80 million in Crook County, so there's, "plenty of work going on".

In 2024, Taylor listed two projected projects: rockfall mitigation on a six-mile stretch of highway near Carlile at an expected cost of almost $5.5 million and a $2 million bridge rehab project.

In 2025, WYDOT anticipates replacement of a bridge at Inyan Kara for $650,000.

The next year, 2026, will see a $23 million project to rehab the Inyan Kara section of I-90 and rehab for the Donkey Creek bridge at just under $1 million.

In 2027, WYDOT plans another bridge replacement for $2.5 million.

In 2028, projects include seven miles of mill and overlay on I-90 west of Moorcroft for $21 million and ten miles of mill and overlay on US 212 near Colony for $10.5 million. Of the latter project, Taylor expressed his pleasure because, "we haven't done anything out there for quite a while.

Finally, in 2029, I-90 between mileposts 195 and 202 will be receiving rehab attention.