WYDOT Photo
A reduced speed limit of 30 mph remains in place about 10 miles south of Thermopolis in Wind River Canyon on U.S. 20/Wyoming 789 after a semi-crash on Thursday, according to a release from the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
“The speed limit is scheduled to return to 65 mph Tuesday after signs are removed from the area where the semi-truck crashed last Thursday night. Replacement of the destroyed guardrail was completed by Sunday night,” said Clint Huckfeldt, Wyoming Department of Transportation area maintenance supervisor. “We appreciate everyone’s patience during the delays Friday through Sunday.”
A semi-truck hauling bulk sugar left the roadway at about 11 p.m., crashed through the guardrail and ended up on the edge of the Wind River over a steep embankment in an area called “Big Windy”. The driver of the truck was uninjured except for bumps and bruises.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol investigated and cited the truck driver for driving too fast for conditions.
It was slick and snowing when the crash occurred, and a WYDOT plow truck was working inside the canyon.
Most of the crashed semi-truck didn’t crash into the Wind River, but it is overturned on the steep embankment at milepost 121.8.
It took parts of two days to remove the crashed truck and trailers from the river’s edge, and during that time, traffic was delayed for up to an hour at a time. The towing effort was complete by Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, K’s Construction of Otto, Wyo., responded to the crash scene and replaced the destroyed 400-500-foot section of guardrail.
WYDOT advises all drivers to monitor road conditions during winter weather, to avoid using cruise control, to always buckle up, and to drive at lower speeds.