Commissioners Request Road Closure for Filming of Documentary

JUNE 11, 2025 |

Photo – Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow – Bigfoot99 file photo

As the Carbon County 250 Committee moves forward with its documentary, the Medicine Bow Town Council debated the feasibility of closing Highway 30 during filming.

At Monday’s Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Trevor Strauch read a letter from the Board of Carbon County Commissioners. The letter stated the county’s 250 Committee plans to film a segment of its documentary, titled Journeys to 250, at the historic Virginian Hotel. The Committee asked the governing body to reroute traffic off Highway 30 through town during filming.

In the letter, the Board of Commissioners asked for Highway 30 to be closed for two hours, between 10:00 a.m. and noon, on Friday, July 11th. The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office will assist with the closure.

The scene at the Virginian Hotel is one of three reenactments planned for the Carbon County 250 Committee’s documentary.

The 28-minute film will explore the county’s history and why people continue to live in the area. Once finished, the movie will be shown at next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence celebrations. The film will also include reenactments of the Jim Bridger-Stansbury Expedition and Hanna mine explosions.

At Monday’s Medicine Bow Town Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Trevor Strauch said the letter fails to specify exactly how Highway 30 traffic will be rerouted through town. Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer questioned if large trucks exiting the highway could maneuver through the town’s narrow streets.

Councilwoman Wickizer said during the summer, Highway 30 experiences a high volume of commercial truck traffic. The Councilwoman said larger trucks, especially those carrying wind turbine blades, will have difficulty finding a suitable route through Medicine Bow.

The governing body debated the best way for trucks to make their way through town. Councilwoman Wickizer proposed a route that may provide enough room for commercial trucks to maneuver. However, residents living along the path may be upset by the increased traffic.

Councilwoman Wickizer said the increased truck traffic will make it harder for residents to navigate the town’s roads during the two-hour highway closure.

The Councilwoman reiterated that commercial trucks will have trouble maneuvering through Medicine Bow, especially those carrying oversized loads.

Mayor Pro Tem Trevor Strauch proposed stopping traffic during filming instead of closing Highway 30 for two hours. Councilman Lee Cook agreed, adding that the town’s roads cannot handle the diverted truck traffic.

Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer pointed out the damage the commercial trucks could do to the town’s streets as another reason to deny the Carbon County 250 Committee’s request.

Following a lengthy discussion, the Town Council voted to delay its decision on closing the road during filming. Instead, a special meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, June 12th, at the Medicine Bow Community Center to finalize the matter.