Citizens are invited to attend a Thursday, April 2, Wyoming Department of Transportation public meeting involving the upcoming $6.6 million Cowley Streets Improvement Project.
 
The public meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at the Rocky Mountain Elementary School library in Cowley.
 
“Please plan to attend this public meeting with officials from WYDOT and prime contractor Reiman Corporation,” said Ben Steed, WYDOT resident engineer in Basin.
 
The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the $6.6 million Cowley Streets contract to Reiman Corporation earlier this month.
 
Reiman and its subcontractors are scheduled to begin work April 6.
 
The 2009 Cowley Streets Improvement Project includes grading, draining, removal and replacement of surfacing, sidewalk, curb and gutter, guardrail, placing crushed gravel, asphalt paving, concrete pavement, storm sewer, landscaping, electrical systems, fencing, and other work on 1.5 miles of U.S. 310 beginning at reference marker 241.73 in the Town of Cowley in Big Horn County.
 
The project completion date is June 30, 2010.
 
“The plan is to maintain two-way traffic on U.S. 310 as much as possible, though there will likely be one-lane traffic in some areas of this highway improvement project,” said Steed. “No detours off U.S. 310 to side streets are planned as part of this project."
 
“Mobility of the traveling public through the work zone is of high priority,” Steed said. “Traffic will be able to move through the project with minimal delays."
 
Steed said weekly progress meetings open to the public and media are planned as part of the project, and working hours will be limited to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the project. The contractor is required to maintain access to homes, businesses and the U.S. Post Office while construction is under way. The contractor is required to complete any irrigation work in a way to avoid disruption to the flow of irrigation water.
 
Steed said the contractor will accommodate the annually scheduled Cowley Pioneer Days celebration by not working July 23-26. Prior to this suspension of work, the project will be cleared of rubble piles, debris and construction equipment.