The big roadwork project of the summer in the Powell area is scheduled to be completed within just over a month.

Contractor Mountain Construction has until Oct. 31 by contract to complete work on the repaving of U.S. Highway 14/16/20W from west Powell to Ralston and is getting close to finishing the actual repaving process, after which final work, such as restriping and post and mailbox replacement along the route will begin. 

“Some of this work will require short lane closures and reduced speed while it is being completed,” WYDOT Resident Engineer Todd Frost of Cody said in a Tuesday email. “Some of this work is very minor and will not have much impact.”

The $5.26 million project has been planned for years by WYDOT, which alerted all affected businesses ahead of the start of the project in mid April. 

Work has included not just new pavement, but replacement of broken curb and gutter, double gutter, sidewalk and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, as well as a change to the Albertsons entrance to improve traffic flow.  

This week, the contractor will continue placement of plant mix wearing course, the top level of asphalt road base, on the south half of the road and cleanup. Placement requires 60 degrees and dry conditions for placement, Frost said in a Monday update, so paving will be delayed daily until the appropriate temperature is reached.  

The contractor will then need to open the roadway for smoothness testing and corrective action as needed, which would necessitate lane closures.