WYO-70 Slide Closes Road Indefinitely

WYDOT geologists and engineers visited the site of a slide on WYO 70 Friday  and discovered that roadway damage has doubled since it was first surveyed last Tuesday.   The slide is located above the road closure gate just west of the overlook at mile post 30. WYDOT maintenance engineer, Tim McGary, estimates that 600 feet of roadway is gone. He anticipates the slide to worsen based on the amount of snow runoff pouring down into the affected area. He said that it will be three weeks or more until the area is dry enough and passable so that geologists can take a drill rig up the mountain to assess the structure underground. That information will determine the best course of action for repair.  WYDOT spokesman Ross Doman says the previously announced alternate route from Rawlins up the mountain would be via the unpaved WYO 71 south to WYO 70, has been canceled. A large culvert has washed out on WYO 71 and is blocking the road.   WYO 70 is closed indefinitely.