The project will add 365 truck parking spaces to help address parking demand on one of the country’s busiest freight corridors.

Construction is taking place at the eastbound and westbound truck parking areas near mile marker 6, close to the Bear River exit. Both parking areas have been closed while crews begin site preparation and are expected to remain unavailable through October 31, 2026. According to WYDOT, the parking areas will reopen before the start of the winter travel season.

Construction Activities Underway

Contract crews from Whitaker Construction have started clearing the existing parking areas and excavating the site in preparation for a temporary access road that will support construction activities.

Drivers traveling through the area should expect shoulder work and occasional lane closures in both directions of Interstate 80 throughout the summer as the project progresses.

Project Includes More Than Additional Parking

In addition to expanding truck parking capacity, the project includes several infrastructure improvements designed to support the area over the long term.

Planned work includes:

Expanding the existing eastbound and westbound truck parking facilities
Constructing a new off-road vehicle trail
Excavation and grading
Concrete paving
Installation of sheet piling
New roadway lighting
Updated roadway signs

Construction extends along Interstate 80 beginning near mile marker 6.68 east of Evanston in Uinta County.

Project Scheduled Through 2028

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the approximately $40 million construction contract to Utah-based Whitaker Construction Co. Inc. in May 2026.

The project is expected to be completed by October 31, 2028.

Federal Grant Supports Larger Truck Parking Initiative

The Interstate 80 project is part of a broader effort to increase truck parking availability across southwest Wyoming.

Earlier this year, WYDOT received a $265.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to construct additional commercial truck parking facilities throughout the region.

With freight traffic continuing to grow along Interstate 80, the expansion is intended to provide drivers with more safe and legal places to park while supporting compliance with federal hours of service regulations.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: July 24, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: Wyoming DOT

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The project is backed by a $24.3 million federal grant, along with $8.8 million from partner groups. Plans include seven underpasses, one overpass, and fencing running along both sides of the highway to help guide wildlife away from traffic and toward safe crossing points.

What’s Already Been Done

Crews made headway before winter set in. Around 20 miles of fence posts were installed, and dirt work was completed to set up detours around the future underpass locations. That early work is now setting the stage for a more active construction season.

What’s Changing This Spring and Summer

Starting in April, traffic will be pushed onto gravel detours around work zones. Those setups will stay in place as crews continue building the crossing structures.

Expect slower travel, uneven surfaces, and delays, especially during peak work periods. With multiple areas under construction, traffic patterns may shift as the project moves along.

WYDOT has already warned that delays should be expected.

Timeline Moving Forward

The work isn’t a quick fix. The overall project is scheduled for completion in October 2027.

“The contractor is working hard, fine-tuning the schedule and keeping things on track for the project,” Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Jennifer Hoffman said. “If things go well, our goal is to have all eight structures constructed in 2026, weather and schedule permitting.”

As always in Wyoming, the weather could change that timeline.

Why These Projects Are Showing Up More Often

Wildlife crossings are becoming a more common sight, especially across Western corridors where animal movement overlaps with highway traffic.

While construction can slow things down in the short term, the goal is to cut down on wildlife-vehicle crashes. That can mean fewer disruptions, less damage, and safer conditions over time.

Colorado’s Recent Example

A similar effort wrapped up in Colorado in December 2025. The state completed what it describes as the world’s largest wildlife overpass over Interstate 25 near the Greenland Interchange.

The structure spans six lanes and reconnects 39,000 acres of habitat used by elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. Officials expect it to reduce wildlife-vehicle crashes along that section of I-25 by 90%.

Before it was built, the area averaged about one wildlife-related crash per day, according to state transportation officials.

The overpass was part of the larger I-25 South Gap project and, like the Wyoming effort, relied on federal funding and support from multiple agencies.

What Drivers Should Keep in Mind

If your route takes you through this part of Wyoming, plan for extra time and stay alert in work zones. Gravel detours and active construction aren’t going away anytime soon.

The end goal is safer roads, but for now, getting through the area will take a little more patience.

The post Wildlife Crossing Work Picks Up Along U.S. 189 in Wyoming appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“This will mark the project substantially complete and on time,” stated Bob Hammond, resident engineer for WYDOT. “We may still have some seeding and reclamation, as well as a few punch-list items to complete, but this project is also pretty much wrapped up, too.”

Major Upgrades and Improvements

The reopening comes with significant infrastructure upgrades. The Snake River Bridge has been replaced with a modern four-lane structure, and the intersection of State Highways 22 and 390 has been redesigned to enhance traffic flow. Additionally, WYDOT has constructed a new pedestrian underpass and installed four wildlife crossings, fencing, and cattle guards to improve safety for both drivers and animals.

Upcoming Work on the Bridge

While the highway is open, additional work is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 7. Crews will apply a protective epoxy layer to the new bridge deck, which will temporarily reduce traffic to one lane in each direction. WYDOT advises drivers to anticipate slower speeds, lane closures, and potential delays during this phase. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed within a week.

“We wanted to make sure we had all the lanes open for the holiday weekend,” Hammond explained. “Once we complete the epoxy overlay, we will be pretty much finished with the work on the bridge and intersection.”

Emergency Detour and Safety Measures

In response to the mudslide in June 2024, WYDOT implemented a temporary detour after the Wyoming Transportation Commission approved an emergency bid of $430,000. The detour was designed with safety as a top priority.

“WYDOT’s engineers, geologists, and other licensed professionals with several decades of experience have done their due diligence to ensure the detour is safe for traffic,” said WYDOT Director Darin Westby in a statement last June.

Stay Updated

For the latest updates on the project, visit the WYDOT website. Current traffic conditions are also available through Wyoming 511.

Source: Land Line Media

The post Teton Pass Reopens After Year-Long Closure Due to Mudslide appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The law specifically targets the driver in control of the vehicle during the violation, ensuring they are accountable for any penalties upon conviction. Col. Tim Cameron with the Wyoming Highway Patrol stated, “We hope these new penalties will be a better deterrent for drivers who otherwise may decide to test their luck and chance the wind closures to save some time.” He emphasized that risky decisions often lead to accidents, injuries, and road closures for cleanup, which disrupts everyone’s schedules.

Not only commercial trucks but also RVs, campers, moving vans, utility trailers, and other large vehicles fall under the classification of light and high-profile under this legislation. Subsection (d) also indicates that the fines apply to other weight-based restrictions not related to wind. “Even on highways without strong wind restrictions, like Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass, drivers who willfully disregard weight restriction signage will be subject to these steeper penalties,” added Cameron.

Source: The Trucker

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