From the Wyoming Department of Transportation

U.S. 26 is closed west of Riverton due to flooding on the Big Wind River, and Wyoming Department of Transportation officials are monitoring flooding conditions on 17-Mile Road (Fremont County Road 334) and considering a possible closure of that roadway.

 The U.S. 26 closure involves about 1,000 feet of roadway which is currently under water east of the bridge over the Big Wind River, west of Kinnear.

 The highway is closed between Diversion Dam Junction (intersection of U.S. 26 and U.S. 287) at milepost 100, and U.S. 26 milepost 106.

 The road will remain closed until further notice.

 U.S. 26 closed Thursday about 3:30 p.m. when water breached a series of dirt berms constructed by WYDOT maintenance crews over the past week.

 WYDOT maintenance crews have been proactively working in flood prevention mode in the Wind River bridge area for about a week as temperatures are rising and streamflows are surging from melting snowpack.

 "For safety reasons, please adhere to the closures and stay clear of U.S. 26 west of Morton Lake, and also the 17-Mile Road area and Little Wind River near the highway and bridge construction project," said Don Detimore, WYDOT area maintenance supervisor in Lander. "Human safety is of upmost importance during this situation."

 WYDOT Resident Engineer Robert Scheidemantel said the temporary bridge over the Little Wind River on 17-Mile Road may be in danger if streamflows continue to rise.

 "We may close the road for safety reasons if the river gets higher," Scheidemantel said. "We are very concerned about the intregrity of the temporary ACROW bridge as erosion continues. If you don't have to drive 17-Mile Road, please don't."

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