Wyoming I-80 tunnel opens to head-to-head traffic following deadly 16 commercial vehicle pileup

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) opened an I-80 tunnel to head-to-head traffic in the wake of a triple fatality pileup crash last week.

On Thursday, WYDOT opened the eastbound I-80 tunnel at Green River to head-to-head traffic after crews added 5000 feet of concrete barriers as well as new signage to help drivers navigate.

The speed limit in the tunnel is reduced to 35 m.p.h., and truck drivers should be aware of a 10.5 ft. width and 16 ft. height restriction. Officials are warning drivers to expect delays.

“This will help get interstate traffic moving on the highway again and out of Green River, but congestion will still be a factor,” WYDOT District 3 Engineer John Eddins said.

The westbound I-80 tunnel remains closed following a fiery February 14 crash that involved 10 passenger vehicles and 16 commercial vehicles. Three people, Christopher Johnson, 20, of Rawlins; Quentin Romero, 22, of Rawlins; and Harmanjeet Singh, 30, of Nova Scotia, Canada, lost their lives and several more people were injured.

The closure of the westbound tunnel remains in place as crews perform cleanup and assessments.

The cause of the Green River Tunnel pileup is under investigation by both state and federal authorities.