The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) has officially closed Wyoming Highway 130, also known as the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, for the winter season, KGAB AM 650 reports.
The annual closure, which began on November 26 this year, affects a 12-mile stretch of road through the Snowy Range, which reaches elevations exceeding 10,800 feet.
Each fall, WYDOT makes the decision to close WYO 130 when heavy snow accumulations and reduced travel make maintaining the highway impractical. Plowing operations are halted to prioritize safety and conserve resources. WYDOT crews in Laramie and Saratoga oversee the closure process.
This seasonal shutdown is a regular occurrence due to the challenging high-elevation conditions. WYO 130 typically closes in mid-to-late November, though dates vary depending on weather. Last year, the highway closed on November 10, and in previous years closures occurred on November 11 in 2021, November 14 in 2020, and as early as October 29 in 2019.
WYO 130 is one of two high-elevation highways in WYDOT’s District 1 that close annually during the winter months. The other is Wyoming Highway 70, which also experiences seasonal closures.
While these closures may limit travel options, they are necessary to ensure the safety of motorists and maintain roadway conditions for use in warmer months. Travelers are encouraged to plan accordingly and seek alternate routes until the highways reopen in the spring.
For updates on road conditions and closures, WYDOT advises checking their official website or using the 511 travel information system.
