Major US 287 Expansion Project Begins South of Laramie, Bringing Lane Changes Through Fall

A major highway improvement project is now underway on US 287 south of Laramie, where crews are beginning work to expand a key stretch of roadway into a wider, safer corridor for drivers traveling in and out of the city.

According to the Wyoming Department of Transportation, construction officially begins May 4 at mile marker 404.81. The project will widen the current two lane section of US 287 from Huron Street to City Ranch Road into five lanes, extending the existing four travel lanes and center turn lane farther south.

What Drivers Can Expect

McGarvin-Moberly Construction crews have already started early phase preparations, including:

Topsoil stripping
Equipment and material delivery
Staging site setup
Construction mobilization

As work ramps up, motorists should prepare for:

Lane shifts and traffic pattern changes
Reduced speed limits
Active construction zones through late fall

WYDOT is urging drivers to stay alert, follow posted signage, obey flaggers, and avoid distractions such as cell phones while traveling through the project area.

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Why This Project Matters

US 287 serves as one of the primary transportation routes connecting Laramie to communities southward and carries significant commuter, freight, and regional traffic. Expanding this stretch is expected to improve:

Traffic flow
Turning access for businesses and neighborhoods
Safety for drivers entering and exiting the corridor
Capacity for future growth

For local residents, University of Wyoming commuters, and travelers heading between Laramie and Colorado, the project represents a long term infrastructure investment aimed at reducing congestion and modernizing one of Albany County’s busiest roadways.

Timeline

Construction is expected to continue through late fall 2026, though scheduling could shift depending on weather conditions and material availability.

Bottom Line

For now, drivers should plan for slower travel and changing road conditions south of Laramie, but the payoff will be a wider, more efficient highway designed to better serve one of southeast Wyoming’s most important transportation corridors.

If you’re traveling through Laramie this summer or fall, allow extra time and use caution in work zones.

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