East and Westbound I-80 reopened at Rock Springs
Crash ruptures natural gas line prompting temporary interstate closure for public safety
by Wyoming Highway Patrol
October 18, 2008
(Rock Springs, Saturday, October 18, 3:00PM Update): A single vehicle crash on the Interstate 80 service road that had closed both east and westbound lanes of the Interstate at Rock Springs between mile marker number 99 and mile marker 102 has been investigated and the roadway opened and returned to normal traffic.
At approximately 4:20 a.m. this morning the single vehicle went off the Interstate near the KOA Campground and struck a natural gas line valve assembly damaging a 4 inch pipe which is fed by the 16 inch main gas line. Leaking natural gas caused officials to close both east and west bound lanes of Interstate 80 as well as the frontage road for safety reasons.
Twenty year-old Christopher Greub, driver of the single vehicle that crashed into the valve assembly, was transported to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County where he was treated and released. Greub has been cited with driving while under the influence and failure to maintain his vehicle within a single lane. Greub was eastbound on the frontage road attempting to negotiate a curve in the roadway when he lost control of his vehicle and it left the roadway. His vehicle rolled and struck the valve assembly.
Extra Troopers were called out to assist in re-routing traffic around and through the Rock Springs area. Troopers were assisted with traffic control by the Rock Springs Police Department, Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Department, Sweetwater County Search & Rescue, WYDOT personnel and Questar Gas personnel.
There were no additional injuries reported and no additional traffic problems associated with the detour of the traffic. Interstate 80 and the frontage road re-opened at approximately 10:00 a.m.
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(Rock Springs, 7:41AM) – A single vehicle crash on Interstate 80 has closed both east and westbound lanes of the Interstate at Rock Springs between mile marker number 99 and mile marker 102.
At approximately 4:20 a.m. this morning the single vehicle went off the Interstate near the KOA Campground and struck a 16 inch natural gas line causing severe damage to the gas line. A major rupture of the line at the crash site has caused the closure of all lanes of travel in that area for safety reasons.
A spokesperson for Questar has advised that tools needed to work on such a large feeder line to shut the line completely would have to come from Salt Lake. This particular gas line is the main feeder line for the Rock Springs area. Therefore, the road will be closed for an indefinite period of time.
Extra Troopers have been called out to assist with traffic control on the Interstate. At this time, all Interstate traffic is being re-routed at exit 99 where motorists will take the belt loop to WYO 376.
Our goal is to provide a safe environment for the motoring public, fire, law enforcement and Questar employees. We regret any inconvenience this event may have caused the motoring public and we are doing our best to re-route traffic safely.
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