This story is part of our Quick Hits series. This series will bring you breaking news and short updates from throughout the state.
Update Feb. 20, 2:45 p.m.:
A stretch of I-80 near Green River has reopened following a deadly multi-vehicle wreck on Feb. 14.
The westbound tunnel where the crash happened remains closed. Traffic heading both directions is being sent through the eastbound tunnel. Traffic had been temporarily routed through Green River, but the town was straining under the increased load.
Drivers should expect delays. The Wyoming Department of Transportation has placed concrete barriers between the lanes and lowered the speed limit to 35 mph in the area. Vehicle 10.5 ft. width and 16 ft. height restriction have also been implemented.
WYDOT is continuing to work on the westbound tunnel with no projected reopening date at this time. The agency reminds drivers to drive cautiously and be aware of roadside workers and vehicles.
Update Feb. 18, 4:30 p.m.:
Officials have released the names of the three people killed during a massive wreck on I-80 near Green River last week.
Christopher Johnson and Quentin Romero, both of Rawlins, and Harmanjeet Singh of Nova Scotia, Canada, succumbed to their injuries on the scene. Romero was a member of the Wyoming National Guard, though he was not on duty during the accident. According to communications with staff and students from the University of Wyoming (UW), two of those killed were former UW students.
Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County treated 18 other people injured in the crash. According to UW, one is a current student and one is a former student.
I-80 between Rock Springs and Green River remains closed in both directions as workers try to clear debris from the westbound tunnel and set up the eastbound tunnel for head-to-head traffic. Traffic is being diverted through Green River.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation has pushed the road’s reopening by a day. It is now projected for Thursday.
Update Feb. 16, 9:20 p.m.:
A third person has been confirmed dead after a massive wreck on Friday morning in the westbound tunnel of Interstate 80 near Green River.
According to WyoFile, the wreck involved 16 commercial vehicles and 10 passenger vehicles. The cause is still under investigation, though there had been snowfall earlier in the day and speed limits had been reduced from 65 to 35.
Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County in Rock Springs is caring for the injured and described the crash as a “mass casualty incident.”
The road is still closed in both directions. In a short-term fix, traffic is being rerouted through Green River but the town’s infrastructure is straining under the extra load.
The wreck caused a fire and multiple explosions in the tunnel. As of Sunday afternoon, officials are still trying to remove vehicles. Damage has made the process dangerous and difficult, as pieces of the westbound tunnel are falling. However, officials say the tunnel is not in danger of completely collapsing.
The eastbound tunnel appears to have suffered no damage, and officials plan to open it to both directions of travel by mid-week.
Gov. Mark Gordon visited the site on Saturday where he was briefed on the incident and met with first responders. The Wyoming Highway Patrol and the National Transportation Safety Board are performing their own investigations.
At least one person is dead after a multi-car crash this Friday morning in the westbound tunnel on Interstate 80 outside of Green River. WyoFile reports there was a fire in the tunnel and multiple agencies responded.
I-80 between Rawlins and Green River is closed. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) expects the tunnels going both directions to remain closed for an extended period of time. WYDOT is asking people to avoid the area.
Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County is caring for those affected by what they call a mass casualty event.
