WYDOT suspends Class W weight limit permit on WYO 116 – effective May 15 – Sheridan Media

The Wyoming Department of Transportation has announced that a road inspection was recently conducted along the Wyoming Highway 116 corridor as accelerated and rapid road damage ranging from RM2.5 to RM5.5 was found south of Upton.

As a result of this road review, WYDOT has determined that it is necessary to suspend the current allowable weight limit to protect the State’s road network from the unexpected impacts of heavier loads and increased frequency of truck traffic.

According to WYDOT, Wyoming Highway 116 has seen a significant increase in heavy truck traffic due to recent demand to transport frac sand from near Aladdin, WY, north of Wright, WY. WYO Highway 116 currently requires a Class W permit for vehicles weighing more than 117,000 pounds.

At District 4’s request, the department’s materials laboratory conducted a survey along the WY116 corridor. The study measured rut depth, identified surface cores, and made base/type/depth determinations. This study found that excessive rutting, horizontal cracking and pavement failure have increased significantly in isolated areas and have also resulted in parts of the subgrade floors also failing – in part due to the increase in traffic volumes and the number of transport vehicles with weights in the class- W permit are permitted.

After reviewing the study, the materials laboratory recommended limiting gross weights under the formula limitations to 117,000 pounds, reducing posted speeds at severely damaged sites, repairing severely damaged sites, reevaluating limitations, and evaluating a “seasonal load limitation” program to prevent damage during the spring thaw when the ground is weakest.

Utilizing proactive measures to preserve WY116’s existing road surface and structure – particularly MM 0 through 9 – WYDOT announced that it will suspend the Class W permit for WY116. The new weight limit will be reduced to a weight limit of 117,000 pounds effective Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

The weight restriction will remain in place until remedial measures are taken to increase the highway’s carrying capacity. WYDOT believes that if the department does not implement these restrictions, the road will deteriorate more quickly and funding will not be able to keep up, making the route unsafe and potentially impassable to motorists. This measure will keep the highway open to travelers and transport companies with the new maximum weight limits.

Looking forward, WYDOT has added WY116 to its Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). The STIP is a dynamic document that identifies the proposed construction and pre-design projects for proposed highway, bridge and airport improvements planned over a six-year period. STIP 2024 has added two WY116 projects to its schedule. First, a mill and overburden will be completed in 2026 on WY116 from MM 16 to 22 north of Upton and in 2027 a mill and overburden with isolated reconstruction will be completed on WY116 south of Upton from MM 0 to 13.

WYDOT reports that they value and recognize the importance of supporting the energy and commercial industries and recognize that much of this requires transporting materials to locations throughout Wyoming. WYDOT said they also strive to follow the department’s goal of “supporting Wyoming’s economy, safely connecting communities and improving the quality of life” while supporting its mission to “provide a safe and effective transportation system.”