This week, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) will begin the last leg of construction on a continuing project to add more truck parking along I-80.

Starting on Wednesday, April 27, WYDOT will resume work on the $20 million I-80 Winter Freight project between Rawlins and Laramie.

Crews are working towards building almost 100 new semi truck parking spaces in both the Fort Steele Rest Area (mile marker 228) east of Rawlins and the Quealy Dome truck parking area (mile marker 290) west of Laramie for a total of almost 200 new parking spaces.

“This additional truck parking is much-needed,” said WYDOT District 1 Construction Engineer Wes Bybee. “The additional parking areas can help reduce the number of fall-asleep crashes, reduce crashes and operating costs for trucks searching for parking, and offer truck drivers an alternative place to park and wait out poor weather conditions.”

WYDOT says that the Fort Steele Rest Area, including parking areas, will remain closed during construction. Drivers are asked avoid parking on the on- and off-ramps in the Fort Steele interchange as it could impede work at the rest area.

Officials say that there could be some impact on I-80 traffic while construction is underway.

“There will be short lane closures in the eastbound lanes over Halleck Ridge (mile markers 250.5-252.5) west of Elk Mountain and westbound lanes between Cooper Cove and Quealy Dome (mile markers 279.5-281.5) near the Albany County line. Watch for lane closures, reduced speed limits and other traffic changes during construction,” WYDOT said.

WYDOT has been at work on the I-80 Winter Freight project since fall of 2020.

The project is expected to be completed by October 2022.