Fatal Crash and Fire inside I-80 Tunnels In Green River, WY

[thenetwork]

Although it is a relatively short bypass via BL-80 in Green River, this could be a significant closure:

https://cdllife.com/2025/multiple-fatality-pileup-and-explosion-threat-closes-i-80-tunnels-in-wyoming/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIcugFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHe8-isDXrAwnH1T2GxCe8GKxvapDUFh48DTT7fy7CwQ0gLQzxDOJ-ajFfQ_aem_s_q7z2N-9CI1EFKXKiSuxA

[andy3175]

Yes, very sad situation with three confirmed dead. The accident occurred in the westbound portal of the Green River tunnels adjacent to Castle Rock. Multiple vehicles were engulfed. The westbound portal is being examined for structural stability. While traffic has been diverted through Green River via Business 80, the plan is to route both directions of traffic through the eastbound portal. The eastbound portal did not see the same damage as the westbound portal.

More information:

https://oilcity.news/emergency/2025/02/16/new-fatality-confirmed-in-green-river-tunnel-crash-three-confirmed-total/

Previous WYDOT releases confirmed the crash took place at 11:37 a.m. on Valentine's Day at mile marker 90.2. Neither agency confirmed the identity of this fatality, nor any of the fatalities previously discovered.

WYDOT estimates that 26 vehicles in total were involved in the deadly crash. The agency has also contracted DeBernardi Construction to place concrete barriers to better control the flow of traffic as it is detoured around the tunnels. That new route is expected to be operational this Wednesday. ...

According to previous statements from WYDOT, emergency rescue efforts have been delayed by the failure of electrical equipment and fires within the tunnel. The westbound tunnel, where the crash occurred, does not seem at risk of collapse, however.

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/02/17/green-river-tunnel-crash-started-outside-tunnel/

The fatal 26-vehicle crash that sparked a raging fire and explosions Friday inside the westbound chamber of the Green River Tunnel started outside the tunnel, the director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation said Monday.

WYDOT Director Darin Westby recounted parts of the crash, as well as authorities' plans to handle traffic from an estimated 18,000 vehicles going through the small town of Green River each day to bypass the tunnel, which remains closed as debris continues to be cleared from it, Westby said Monday morning on Cowboy State Daily's Morning Show With Jake. ...

The crash was concentrated to about the final third of the tunnel on its west side, said Westby.

A reporter from Cowboy State Daily entered the tunnel at daybreak Monday morning and confirmed that the final third of the roadway under the tunnel is caked with ashen debris and vehicle parts.

The tunnel walls and ceiling are charred; the ceiling appears tattered and stripped in places. An acrid odor persists from the crash scene and can be noticed even from several feet away upon entry. ...

Construction crews were working in a well-lit east-bound tunnel at daybreak Monday, on setting up the chamber for two-way traffic. A line of concrete lane barriers was taking shape while Cowboy State Daily was on scene.

Westby told the outlet that crews are struggling with "a supply issue" with the concrete barriers, tied to backed-up traffic – but that they hope to have two-way traffic routed through eastbound tunnel by Wednesday.

"Right now we're taking it hour by hour," said Westby.

The town of Green River has been "gracious" with the extra load of 9,000 additional vehicles, each way, through the town per day, he said. But that's going to get old fast, he added.

[The Ghostbuster]

Wow. That picture looks like a war zone. Google Maps has a "Green River incident" listed at the tunnel's location.

[ZLoth]

https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/news_info/media-kits/greenrivertunnel.html

[andy3175]

On May 1, 2025, the Wyoming Department of Transportation reported to the Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee (see https://www.wyoleg.gov/Committees/2025/J08) that repair work and design continues on the Interstate 80 Green River Tunnels.

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2025/05/03/failure-that-caused-teton-pass-to-slide-off-mountain-was-unavoidable-wydot-says/

On Feb. 14, a chain-reaction crash on I-80 damaged the Green River Tunnel, involving 26 vehicles and causing three deaths. ... WYDOT's goal to get the Green River Tunnel fully reopened by (next) winter. ... Due to the fire in the tunnel, WYDOT had to immediately close both lanes of the Interstate, detouring traffic through the city of Green River. The tunnel still hasn't fully reopened and large trucks are still being directed through the city at times. ...

On Feb. 15, WYDOT was able to get its first look at the inside of the tunnels and five days later reopened the eastbound side for traffic headed in both directions by reducing it to one lane each way. ... It wasn't until March 17 that a WYDOT-contracted company was finally able to get in the tunnel and remove all the burned vehicles. It also removed concrete tunnel liners and lights damaged by the fire, with that work completing April 6.

The next day, WYDOT and federal officials performed a full inspection of the tunnel, performing a 3D scan to address areas of potential concern. They're still working on a final inspection report and performing tests to determine the tunnel's integrity.

Fulton said WYDOT knows that the tunnel road is damaged on the westbound side but doesn't know yet to what extent. The agency also plans to install a whole new lighting system. So far, $1 million has been spent on the project.

[Henry]

Well, considering how relatively short that tunnel is, next winter is a cautiously optimistic time to reopen it; I see next spring as a more realistic target.

[74/171FAN]

Road Guy Rob uploaded a video on this earlier today.