Upcoming solar eclipse brings up parking problems, road closure

A couple of issues regarding the upcoming solar eclipse in August were discussed with the commissioners at last week’s meeting.

Chuck Carver, maintenance director, is concerned about people using the courthouse parking lot to park their campers over the weekend and not moving them out by Monday morning.

Normally, it might not be an issue, however, there is a jury trial scheduled for that morning and Carver is concerned those reporting for jury duty will not have anywhere to park if the lot is filled with visitors.

Carver said he could take orange cones to block the area off for the weekend.

Road and Bridge director, Dave Schlager also has a concern about the eclipse and the condition of Buffalo Creek Road.

Schlager suggested a closure of the road during that time, at least to thru traffic, as all the rain we’ve had this spring has softened the area. Although the slides have been repaired, he’s concerned visitors might try to use the route as an alternate way to Casper to avoid the construction in Wind River Canyon.

Interestingly enough, all the rain we had also had an effect on the Hot Springs County Airport, according to FBO Nate Messenger.

He had some fishermen fly in who didn’t stay long after getting to the river and seeing how high it was.

While numbers were down a bit for the month of June, Messenger said he feels the height of the river may have stopped other fishermen that normally fly in from coming.

Two more pads are ready for hangars out at the airport, however, there has been no movement as far as building the hangars yet. Messenger said a third pad will be poured soon, so he’s hopeful the hangars will start going up.

He also told the commissioners that all but two planes have been moved to the new airport since the “X’s” were painted on the old airport’s runway. He said he had never seen these particular aircraft fly, so he’s not entirely sure what is going to happen with them.

The commissioners approved an application by the Big Horn Basin Nature and Discovery Center to the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for federal funding to begin poring the sidewalks where the Center will be located.

The area in particular is the where the kid’s nature and discovery area will be. Shurie Scheel, representing the Discovery Center, said the group has the matching funds needed for the sidewalk project already set aside.

Members of the Hot Springs County Fairboard met with the commissioners to discuss the issue with the roof on the multi-purpose building.

It was agreed that an architect or an engineer should take a look at things from a design and repair perspective since they are not sure what they’re going to find once they remove the insulation.

Having a professional opinion on the issue would help ensure whatever they do going forward is not going to create the same issue as they are having now.