Fast, reliable & cost effective Equipment Transport

Quick update: summer projects are shifting traffic and lane patterns across the corridor. CDOT reports the I-25 North Express Lanes work between Mead and Berthoud is about half done for the six-mile segment, with 20 miles already complete.

Nightly closures for WCR 38 bridge demolition run June 23–24, 9 p.m.–5 a.m., and the WCR 38 span will stay closed June–December 2025. WYDOT says Casper bridge replacement is moving into southbound work after finishing northbound shifts; that multi-year project began in 2023.

Why this matters: these projects and seasonal closures change staging, clearance points, and escort timing. Watch COtrip and CDOT channels for live travel information, and use the COtrip app on iOS or Android to verify current detours and signal adjustments.

What to do first: note where traffic shifts, mark planned closures in your calendar, and share verified information with drivers and dispatch. This short brief aims to help you plan safer, clearer moves as work progresses through summer.

Present conditions on I-25 in Wyoming: bridge work, lane shifts, and construction zones

Crews in Casper are preparing to shift the northbound traffic pattern so work can move to the opposite bridge. WYDOT reports the northbound bridge over Center Street and the North Platte River is nearing completion. This sets up a switch to the north side so crews can begin southbound work.

The nearby Poplar Street northbound ramps closed briefly for surface work during switchover prep. Expect temporary lane changes, reduced lanes, and tighter shoulders through the area.

Casper focus: northbound bridge work over Center Street and the North Platte River

What to watch: lane drops approaching the road bridge, intermittent ramp restrictions, and flagging. These measures keep the project footprint compact while crews move phases.

“Traffic will move to the north side to allow southbound bridge work to proceed safely.”

Traffic switching to the north side: impacts on southbound I-25

• Plan travel with buffer time for slower speeds across bridge structures.
• Expect local streets west of the mainline to carry more traffic during ramp work.
• Confirm load widths and pilot requirements in advance if using narrowed lanes.

Oversize freight delays on I-25 Wyoming construction corridors

Recent overnight activity at Poplar Street changed which ramps carriers can use and when they can stage. That brief work window can upend permit timing and on-site sequencing for wide and tall loads. Confirm exact closure start and end times before dispatch.

How ramp closures at Poplar Street affect permits and staging:

• Short nighttime road closures may force carriers to hold loads offsite or reroute staging to side streets.
• Narrowed lanes and reduced shoulders often mean extra pilot cars or daytime-only moves.
• Approaching from the west or local streets requires added travel time and flexible staging plans.

Southbound versus northbound constraints for wide and tall loads

As work switches to the southbound side, expect tighter operating space and temporary lateral limits near the road bridge. Northbound lanes may still be impacted by barriers and equipment during the switchover.

Timing windows and pilot car considerations during lane reductions

Loop pilot car providers in early. Make sure they know which ramps remain open and which detours to use. Maintain live checks for updates so convoy sequencing stays aligned with the latest travel information.

“Even a short overnight closure can cascade into schedule changes; real-time checks are essential.”

What WYDOT says: schedule, progress, and expected service life

WYDOT’s District 2 team confirms the Casper bridge replacement began in mid-2023 and will continue into 2025. This clear schedule gives carriers and shippers better visibility for planning moves through the city.

Progress is running on schedule, according to District 2 construction engineer Mark Williams.

“The two-year replacement started in mid-2023 and is progressing as planned; crews expect the project to finish well into 2025.”

The new bridges are designed for a 50-plus years service life with routine maintenance. That long horizon trades short-term disruption for decades of improved reliability.

For day-to-day routing, this steady progress means predictable work windows you can map into dispatch calendars. Track which side of the roadway crews are working on and plan staging for loads coming from the west.

• Schedule runs mid-2023 through 2025 — plan for how many years this will affect operations.
• On-schedule progress helps forecast phase changes, like the switch to southbound work.
• The road bridge replacements aim to reduce future maintenance and improve long-term access.

Recommended reroutes for oversize loads around Casper construction zones

Prioritize detours that keep large moves clear of the active work area and reduce exposure to tight lanes during night work.

When nightly work limits the mainline, evaluate preferred state and US highway routes that bypass the closest zones. Pick paths with known clearances and steady lane widths to ease travel and staging.

Preferred state and US highway detours during nightly closures

• Use US and state routes that parallel the mainline to avoid temporary lane drops.
• Check county road connectors for local repositioning, but verify turning radii and weight limits first.
• Stage on the safe side of the work area; confirm which lanes are open and where flaggers are operating.

Coordinating alternate routes with WYDOT District 2 and local agencies

Call District 2 to get current information and to confirm escort permissions for planned paths. Good coordination reduces last-minute changes and keeps drivers productive.

“Coordinate early with District 2 and local agencies to confirm timing and preferred paths.”

Regional context: I-25 corridor projects in Colorado that may influence Wyoming freight flow

Regional upgrades along the I-25 corridor north of Denver are reshaping how long-haul moves route through Fort Collins and beyond.

CDOT reports the I-25 North Express Lanes project between Mead and Berthoud is about 50% complete on the six-mile segment, with 20 miles finished north to Fort Collins. Summer work includes an overnight closure June 23–24 (9 p.m.–5 a.m.) for WCR 38 bridge demolition and a months-long WCR 38 bridge outage through December 2025.

CDOT’s I-25 North Express Lanes: phasing and interchange impacts

The WCR 34 interchange rebuild adds new roundabouts, a five-foot bike lane, and an eight-foot sidewalk. Phasing raises the interchange roughly six feet and coordinates with nearby projects to limit surprises at ramp junctions.

“Expect changing ramp access and signal timing near CO 66 and frontage roads during active phases.”

Traffic transitions and express lane operations

Southbound widening expands the footprint from 38 to 62 feet and adds a climbing lane between CO 56 and WCR 38 for four 12-foot lanes (three general-purpose plus one express lane). In winter 2025, traffic will shift onto southbound lanes to finish northbound work in 2026.

• Detours will route via state and US highways; CO 66 signals may be adjusted.
• Interchange areas are dynamic during phasing—plan extra time to navigate temporary signals and flagging.
• Fort Collins-area users may cause residual traffic surges near county road closures like WCR 38 and WCR 34.

Northbound, southbound, and interchange watchouts for carriers

Carriers should prepare for changing lane layouts and brief closures near active interchange zones. Expect northbound and southbound lanes to be reconfigured multiple times as crews stage bridge and interchange work.

Scan approaches early and confirm lane widths and shoulder availability before entering the highway. Reduced merge lengths and added roundabouts can force sudden braking and tighter turning radii.

When southbound i-25 carries two-way traffic during key phases, the highway will feel tighter. Verify that lanes and shoulders match your load and escort plan before committing to the route.

• Brief pilot car teams on day-of lane offsets and temporary striping.
• Anticipate temporary signals, device placement, and active flagging at interchanges.
• Plan fallback exits at the next interchange in case downstream traffic rebounds into your segment.

“Keep radio contact during night work — sightlines and devices can change quickly.”

Construction season realities: multiple projects statewide and corridor-wide

Summer brings a packed schedule of road projects that can reshape a long run without much notice. WYDOT reports roughly 50 active projects across the state during the season, and many schedules shift with weather.

Plan as if you will hit at least one work area on any long trip. That means building fuel and break stops into routes and confirming staging spots that can hold longer than planned.

WYDOT’s statewide outlook and travel planning tips

These projects appear in both rural and urban zones, so easy bypasses are not always available. Verify size and weight limits before routing onto local links.

• Assume repeat short closures may occur multiple times over weeks; they sum up to lost time.
• Check WYDOT and CDOT advisories when routes cross state lines, especially for west–east connectors.
• Set a weekly review of bulletins and add buffer time to dispatch schedules.

“Weather can shift planned night work into the next evening; confirm day-of advisories before committing.”

Small habits—daily checks, clear driver briefings, and flexible staging—cut risk and keep runs moving through the summer.

Stay informed in real time: official road and social media resources

Real-time agency feeds help dispatchers and drivers steer clear of sudden route changes near active projects. Pair official channels and apps before each run to confirm staging, planned lane shifts, and county road detours.

WYDOT updates, road work guides, and district contacts

Use WYDOT’s Road Work Guide and District 2 posts for local, day-of information. Archive the District 2 contacts and check updates twice: the day prior and the day of travel.

• Call the project phone line for specifics when timing matters.
• Verify suggested county road detours in official maps to confirm clearances.
• Keep drivers tuned to official alerts rather than third-party chatter.

Using COtrip and CDOT channels when routing across the Colorado–Wyoming segment

COtrip.org and the COtrip Planner app provide statewide, real-time traffic information and lane status. Check CDOT’s project page for weekly bulletins and the project contact (720-593-1996) when a move heads toward Fort Collins or an i-25 north approach.

“Pair WYDOT and COtrip tools to see closures and lane status before you launch.”

Looking ahead: minimizing delays while projects reach the finish line

As project phases advance, refine travel windows to pass through active areas during the calmest periods. Track the winter 2025 shift to southbound i-25 north work in Colorado and align crew schedules to avoid peak activity.

Anticipate lane changes and plan escorts, county road alternatives, and weekend or night runs when permitted. With Casper’s bridges due to finish in 2025 and a 50+ years design life, short-term patience pays off.

Keep Fort Collins routing notes, verify posted widths, and confirm pilot car needs before launch. Clear dispatch briefings and agency coordination remain the best tools to keep traffic moving and the project timeline steady.