Work on a $3.57 million erosion repair and guardrail replacement project has been suspended until after Labor Day along the edge of Buffalo Bill Reservoir west of Cody.

The contract with prime contractor Wilson Brothers Construction, Inc., of Cowley requires work on the project to be suspended between Memorial Day weekend and through Labor Day weekend.

"This shutdown is required for high water levels in the reservoir during the summer months that will impact the work area where machine placed riprap is being placed for erosion repair," said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Todd Frost of Cody. "Work will resume after Labor Day when the water levels fall below the work area."

Frost said the contractor "has reached a good stopping point and is suspending this project early."

Traffic movements were returned to normal two-way traffic on Tuesday, and the 14-foot width restriction was rescinded.

"We will have one day next week when flaggers will be utilized to remove the remaining construction signs. During this time, traffic delays will be minimal," Frost said.

Work will resume after Labor Day weekend, about Sept. 2.

The U.S. Highway 14/16/20 project is located west of the highway tunnels along Buffalo Bill Reservoir from milepost 43.860 (the rockfall fence) and extending about a mile east toward Cody at milepost 44.78 (a popular cliff diving location west of the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center pullout).

A 12-foot-high gabion rock wall has been constructed west of the cliff diving location for about 344 feet, which is similar to the existing rock wall between the cliff diving location and the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center parking area. The remainder of the slope will have machine-placed rock riprap placed on the slope to protect the roadway.

Contract completion date is Dec. 31.