July 19, 2024 |
Photo – A county road – Bigfoot99 file photo
The North Hanna Access Road will remain closed indefinitely due to an underground mine collapse. Last week, a large subsidence opened at along County Road 297, also known as the North Hanna Access Road. Carbon County Road and Bridge closed the road to all traffic.
At Monday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Road and Bridge Superintendent Kandis Fritz said she was contacted by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s Abandoned Mine Lands division. Fritz said AML knows why the subsidence occurred and how to fix it. However, the state agency did not provide an estimated time for repairs.
Fritz said County Road 297 is closed until further notice.
The road and bridge superintendent also provided the commissioners with updates on other road projects around the county. Fritz said chip sealing on County Road 401 is nearly complete, with only 10 miles left until they reach the Colorado border. After the road is resurfaced, Fritz said it will be sealed and striped. However, some problem areas must be fixed first, said Fritz.
Fritz said an additional transformer for the Gateway West Transmission Line Project will be transported along County Road 121, northwest of Medicine Bow. Fritz said the large truck hauling the heavy piece of equipment moves slowly. Commissioner Travis Moore said motorists are more upset by the speed of the unloaded truck.
Fritz provided an update on the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Bridge Replacement Off System. Known as BROS, the federally funded program can provide funding to replace unsafe bridges across the state.
Fritz is asking WYDOT to replace several old and unsafe bridges around Carbon County, including bridges on County Roads 3 and 680.
The road and bridge superintendent said WYDOT isn’t expected to begin work for another six years at least.
Commissioner Moore said Carbon County residents have praised Fritz’s choice of road projects, including the use of the dust-reducing chemical called magnesium chloride. The commissioner thanked Fritz and her team for their hard work.
Commission Chairwoman Sue Jones said the treated dirt roads are nearly as smooth and dust free as asphalt.
Fritz said when a resident compliments her team, she encourages them to share their praise with the county commissioners.
