Broadway Bridge bidding, work scheduled for 2024-25

Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Senior Public Relations Specialist Cody Beers provided an update on the Broadway Bridge construction.

According to Beers, the funding comes from a Biden-Harris Administration bill called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law where $2.3 billion is headed to Wyoming, with 70 specific projects identified. Beers said that this amount of federal funding is 25%-26% more than received typically. Some of the projects include 44 structures that are not directly on the highway system. 

The Thermopolis Broadway Bridge meets this criteria and work will be done to replace the bridge’s deck. After a September 26 inspection, engineers found that the girders and underneath the current decking, “they are in good shape,” according to Beers. Not only will there be a new deck, but there will also be new fencing on the sides that will prevent people from jumping off the bridge. 

The bidding dates for the project will be from October 2024 through September 2025 for work to be done in the fiscal year 2025. Before the biddings occur, there will be a detailed engineered study and a plan for all the work to be done. The lowest qualifying bidder will be awarded the project. After that, WYDOT will issue a notice to proceed and a completion date. Also, there will be two public hearings to take input from the public.

Beers also said that access across the bridge will not be blocked during the work, especially since emergency medical services need to travel to the hospital. The construction will cover one-half of the surface first with a portable stop light directing traffic and the other half later. This is similar to a traffic light in the Wind River Canyon or toward Shoshoni, where construction works are done one-half at a time. A vehicle width restriction may be in place as well. The construction time could be as short as six months or up to one year.