CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Because of decreased revenue, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is facing a tight budget and will strictly follow its set plan for winter road maintenance, the department said in a statement Oct. 21.
“That means crews will still plow the roads, but they may remain snowy. Road shoulders also may not get plowed immediately and crews may have to get to those sections later or the next day,” the statement said.
“We want to assure the public that we will continue to maintain the roads during winter storms to ensure we provide a safe and effective transportation system,” said WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner. “Our crews will be out there diligently working to clear the roads.”
To help ensure safe driving conditions, WYDOT will use road-traction materials, such as salt and magnesium chloride; these supplies are included in the department’s budget. In addition, the department will adhere to the state’s snowplow priority plan, which outlines how often department crews go out and maintain high-, medium- and low-volume roads.
“We will have to strictly adhere to our winter maintenance budget, which means there likely won’t be any wiggle room to go over budget if we have a particularly severe winter,” Reiner said. “However, we will continue to provide winter maintenance services based on our limited budget.”
Major highways and school bus routes will continue to be the department’s top priority in inclement weather.
“We are asking motorists to make sure they plan ahead, slow down for wintry conditions and be prepared to drive on roads that may be snowy,” Reiner said. “We will do everything within budgetary limits to ensure roads are maintained and safe for motorists.”
For information about winter travel in Wyoming and WYDOT’s snowplow priority plan, click here.
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