Wyoming DOT to shut down 10 rest areas statewide

Governor Mark Gordon has announced that Wyoming Department of Transportation will be closing 10 rest areas located throughout the state.

These closures take effect on June 15 and were prompted by budgetary shortfalls. They are a way to reduce the agency’s operational costs.

“This is a painful reality but a necessary step given our state’s fiscal situation,” Governor Gordon said.

The closures were approved by the Wyoming Transportation Commission during its recent special meeting.

“Although these rest areas will close, motorists will still have access to facilities in neighboring communities,”  said WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner. “Each of the rest areas that are closing are within a reasonable distance of a town that has facilities for the public.”

The rest areas that will close include:

• Lusk on US 18 Guernsey on US 26
• Greybull on US 14-16-20
• Moorcroft on Interstate 90
• Star Valley on US 89
• Ft. Steele on Interstate 80
• Sundance on Interstate 90
• Upton on US 16
• Orin Junction on Interstate 25
• Chugwater on Interstate 25

“We took a hard look at all of our rest areas and came up with a list of those that we feel we can close with a minimal amount of impact to our travelers,” Reiner said.

The rest area closures will save WYDOT approximately $197,453 from June 15 through Sept. 30, which is the end of the fiscal year. After, the department will save about $789,812 per year.