Between Exits 310 and 316, Business Loop I-80 serves Laramie via Curtis Street, U.S. 30-287 on Third Street, and U.S. 30 on Grand Avenue.
Signed Route
Milepost Number
Description
State Control Route
Distance
Overall Mileage
0.00
Junction
4200
0.00
0.00
0.00
Begin
4200
0.00
0.00
0.33
CL Laramie
4200
0.33
0.33
0.45
Laramie River
4200
0.12
0.45
1.04
Union Pacific Railroad Separation
4200
0.59
1.04
-
1.26/327.37
Junction - (Third Street)
4200/23
0.22
1.26
328.22
Junction West (Snowy Range
Road)
23
0.85
2.11
328.48/328.48
Routes Divide:
23/55
0.26
2.37
329.50
University of Wyoming (one block north via 9th or 15th St)
1.02
3.39
331.44
ECL Laramie; end four lanes undivided
55
1.94
5.33
332.20
Begin Divided Section
55
0.76
6.09
332.48
Junction
55
0.28
6.37
332.48
End rejoins
55
0.00
6.37
Business Loop I-80 Eastbound
Between Interstate 80 and U.S. 30-287 (Third Street), Business Loop I-80 east follows Curtis Street past a series of truck stops, then crosses the Union Pacific Railroad. After passing over the viaduct, the business route connects with U.S. 30-287. Photo taken 09/06/05.
The Laramie River, which passes through the city of Laramie, meanders through an undeveloped greenbelt area west of downtown Laramie. Most of Laramie's development is focused east of the Union Pacific Railroad; the downtown eateries that line First Street face toward the railroad. The river is largely ignored. Part of the reason for this is due to pollution; chemicals used in the fabrication of railroad ties have polluted the ground around the river, thus making it unavailable for immediate development. But it is also psychological, since the railroad has dominated so much about Laramie for so long. The presence of the University of Wyoming east of downtown also fosters development on that side of the city. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80 approaches U.S. 30-287, Third Street, as the highway prepares to cross over the Union Pacific Railroad. Photo taken 09/06/05.
To continue on eastbound Business Loop I-80, turn right (south) onto Third Street. Straight ahead, Curtis Street continues as a local street, offering access to many of the residential areas in the northern part of the city. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Third Street also carries U.S. 30-287. To the north, Third Street exits Laramie and follows the historic Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30-287) toward Bosler, Rock River, Medicine Bow, and Hanna. To the south, Third Street forms the most significant north-south corridor as it travels through downtown Laramie. The three routes (Business Loop I-80, U.S. 30, U.S. 287) split at Grand Avenue. Photo taken 09/06/05.
This is the first shield assembly along southbound Third Street for Business Loop I-80, U.S. 30, and U.S. 287. Third Street is a major commercial corridor. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80/U.S. 30 and southbound U.S. 287 (Third Street) reach Harney Street. A large shopping center on the west side of Third Street houses a K-Mart (Sears), Hastings Music/Books, and Safeway grocery store. Photo taken 09/06/05.
The next major intersection along southbound Third Street is Clark Street and the junction with Wyoming 130 and Wyoming 230. This shield assembly shows where all of the routes go. The two state routes lead west from here, with Wyoming 130 heading due west toward the airport, the town of Centennial, and the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. Wyoming 230 leads southwest toward Jelm Mountain, enters Colorado to connect to Colorado 125 and Colorado 127, and re-enters Wyoming in Carbon County southeast of Encampment and Riverside. The routes meet again in the North Platte River Valley at a point some eight miles south of Saratoga. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Eastbound Business Loop I-80, Eastbound U.S. 30, and Southbound U.S. 287 (Third Street) reaches the junction with Wyoming 130 and Wyoming 230 (Snowy Range Road/Clark Street) just north of downtown Laramie. This marks the eastern terminus of both Wyoming 130 and Wyoming 230. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Third Street enters the downtown area as it approaches Corral West Ranchwear; a church steeple dominates the horizon of downtown. Photo taken 09/06/05.
The next major intersection along southbound is University Avenue, which heads west into downtown and east toward the University of Wyoming. Photo taken 09/06/05.
The next intersection is Ivinson Street, which also travels east toward the University of Wyoming. To the west, Ivinson Street enters historic downtown Laramie. Photo taken 09/06/05.
U.S. 30 and Business Loop I-80 turn east onto Grand Avenue, while U.S. 287 continues south on Third Street. The next photo shows a close up of the shield assembly. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Note the unusual arrow underneath the green business loop shield. While it is true that motorists can continue south on Third Street to return to Interstate 80, the business loop does not follow U.S. 287 south. Instead, the business loop turns east onto Grand Avenue to pass by the university prior to rejoining Interstate 80 at the base of Sherman Hill. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Follow Grand Avenue east to the University of Wyoming and the Laramie Plains Civic Center. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Southbound U.S. 287 continues straight ahead on Third Street and eastbound Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30 travel east along Grand Avenue toward the civic center, city library, and university. To the west, Grand Avenue goes for two more blocks into downtown before ending at First Street. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Here is a view of the same intersection as seen from eastbound Grand Avenue at Third Street. The business loop and U.S. 30 continue straight ahead on Grand Avenue. Photo taken 09/06/05.
For some reason, the Department of Transportation decided to sign the business loop as "To Interstate 80" some four miles before Grand Avenue gets to Interstate 80! And the business loop still has not passed by the civic center, the library, the university, the stadium, and the eastern commercial district! Grand Avenue really should be signed as Business Loop I-80 east at least until 30th Street, after the university and stadium. But hey, what do we know? Photo taken 09/06/05.
Grand Avenue is the primarily east-west thoroughfare, and it is five lanes wide throughout. It begins at the Union Pacific Railroad tracks at First Street, picks up the business loop and U.S. 30 designation at Third Street, and parallels the University of Wyoming campus between Ninth Street and 30th Street. Most of the campus is concentrated between Ninth, Ivinson, 15th, and Harney Streets, just one block north of Grand Avenue. The dormitories are located adjacent to Grand Avenue between 15th Street and 18th Street, and War Memorial Stadium is near 22nd Street. Photo taken 09/06/05.
At Ninth Street, Grand Avenue parallels the campus of the University of Wyoming. Turn left (north) here to follow Ninth Street to the west end of the campus (including Old Main and the Classroom Building) or continue straight ahead toward the university information center, university library, dormitories, and stadium. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Another shield assembly for "To Interstate 80" and U.S. 30 is posted after Ninth Street. Laramie is well known for its tree-lined streets, as old oaks and pine trees line Grand Avenue. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Use 13th Street northbound to connect to the university library (William Robertson Coe Library) and to Admissions and Records in Knight Hall. The information is located on Ivinson, one block north and then east. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Now approaching 15th Street, the tallest dormitories of the University of Wyoming stand out above the trees. Two of them, White Hall and McIntyre Hall, are the tallest buildings in the state. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Continuing east, Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30 pass just south of Washakie Center, the dormitory cafeteria. A statue of Chief Washakie graces the southern face of the cafeteria. Photo taken 11/12/05.
The next traffic signal along eastbound Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30 is at 17th Street. This intersection was only governed by a pedestrian light until around 2000, when it was replaced with a complete intersection traffic signal. Pedestrians frequently cross Grand Avenue here to connect between the dormitories and off-campus commercial establishments, including a second bookstore, restaurants, and other amenities. Photo taken 11/12/05.
A snow storm was brewing in the early afternoon on this day. This picture shows eastbound Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30 (Grand Avenue) as they approach 22nd Street, about five blocks east of the prior photograph. Photo taken 11/12/05.
This picture of the same intersection (Grand Avenue and 22nd Street) was much clearer a bit later in the afternoon, just prior to a football game between the University of Wyoming and Brigham Young University. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Business Loop I-80 Westbound
Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30 enter the city of Laramie via Grand Avenue. Elevation estimates for Laramie vary; while this population sign states the elevation is 7,165 feet, signs at War Memorial Stadium (University of Wyoming football) indicate that the elevation is 7,220 feet (which may be related to the height of the bleachers at the stadium). Photo taken 11/12/05.
This is the first shield assembly for Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30 (immediately after the city limits for Laramie). These two routes will remain merged for about four miles along Grand Avenue, then turn north via Third Street (along with U.S. 287). Photo taken 11/12/05.
A Wal-Mart Supercenter is located on the south (left) side of Grand Avenue near the Vista Drive intersection. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Grand Avenue (Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30) descends from the area around Vista Drive into Laramie. Development follows Grand Avenue on both sides of the roadway, including restaurants, car dealerships, strip malls, and related services. The dome of the Arena-Auditorium as well as War Memorial Stadium (both part of the University of Wyoming athletic facilities) come into view. Photo taken 11/12/05.
The speed limit drops from 45 to 30 miles per hour as the business loop enters the commercial strip. The next signal along westbound Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30 is for 30th Street. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Thirtieth Street travels north toward the university golf course and some of the larger homes to be found in Laramie. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Continuing west, the next signal is for 22nd Street. Turn north on 22nd Street to the parking lot for War Memorial Stadium and the Arena Auditorium. To the south, 22nd Street serves a residential area. Photo taken 11/12/05.
The next signal along westbound Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30 is for 21st Street, which also provides access south into residential areas. Photo taken 11/12/05.
After 21st Street, Grand Avenue passes along the south side of the sprawling campus of the University of Wyoming. The university extends from 30th Street west to 9th Street along a corridor generally north of Grand Avenue. In this picture, a pair of dormitories is located on the north side of Grand Avenue (Crane Hall and Hill Hall). Photo taken 11/12/05.
Nestled in some pine trees in a small lawn area between Crane Hall and Hill Hall is this sign for the University of Wyoming. Photo taken 11/12/05.
The leaves have fallen off the trees that shade Grand Avenue during the summer months. Here, Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30 approach 15th Street, a major north-south corridor that passes through the University of Wyoming campus. This intersection is located just west of the block of dormitories (Orr, McIntyre, Downey, and White Halls) between 17th Street and 15th Street. Photo taken 11/12/05.
Westbound Business Loop I-80 and westbound U.S. 30 along Grand Avenue just east of Third Street in downtown Laramie approaches Junction U.S. 287. This sign assembly is something of an error. Yes, U.S. 30 and 287 merge together by turning right (north) along Third Street. However, since this shot is taken from westbound Business Loop I-80, how can Business Loop I-80 go both north and south from this point? The reason is that travelers may opt to take U.S. 287 south on Third Street to reach Interstate 80 or they may turn north on U.S. 287 and follow the business loop back to Interstate 80 via Curtis Street. Either way, this assembly is very misleading. It would be better to say that Business Loop I-80 turns right and that one may reach Interstate 80 by turning left. There are no business loop I-80 shields on U.S. 287 south of this point, but there are several headed northbound. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Here is the Third Street traffic signal; the business loop turns right (north). Grand Avenue ends only a couple blocks west of here at First Street near the railroad. Photo taken 09/06/05.
After the intersection between Third Street and Grand Avenue, northbound Third Street leaves downtown. The sandstone church, which dominates the Laramie downtown skyline, is readily visible at the intersection of Third Street and Ivinson Avenue. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Westbound Business Loop I-80, Westbound U.S. 30, and Northbound U.S. 287 (Third Street) at Junction Wyoming 130 and Wyoming 230 (Snowy Range Road/Clark Street) in Laramie. This is at the same location as the previous photo, just looking in the other direction. Photo taken by Jonathan Winkler, 8/00.
This is the scene along northbound Business Loop I-80 and U.S. 30-287 as the route follows Third Street after the Harney Street intersection. Photo taken 09/06/05.
The routes divide at the Curtis Street intersection. Business Loop I-80 turns east onto Curtis Street, while U.S. 30-287 continue north on Third Street toward Bosler and Rock River. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Here is the traffic signal for the Third Street and Curtis Street intersection. Photo taken 09/06/05.
To return to Interstate 80, Business Loop I-80 follows Curtis Street west over the Union Pacific Railroad. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Cresting over the Union Pacific Railroad, Business Loop I-80/Curtis Street continues west toward Interstate 80. Photo taken 09/06/05.
The Laramie River, which passes through the city of Laramie, meanders through an undeveloped greenbelt area west of downtown Laramie. Most of Laramie's development is focused east of the Union Pacific Railroad; the downtown eateries that line First Street face toward the railroad. The river is largely ignored. Part of the reason for this is due to pollution; chemicals used in the fabrication of railroad ties have polluted the ground around the river, thus making it unavailable for immediate development. But it is also psychological, since the railroad has dominated so much about Laramie for so long. The presence of the University of Wyoming east of downtown also fosters development on that side of the city. Photo taken 09/06/05.
Westbound Business Loop I-80/Curtis Street approaches Interstate 80. Interstate 80 travels northwest along the north slope of the Snowy Range, passing through Arlington and Elk Mountain en route to Rawlins and western Wyoming. Photo taken 09/06/05.
The first ramp connects to westbound Interstate 80 to Rawlins; the second ramp connects to eastbound Interstate 80 to U.S. 287 south and to Cheyenne. Photo taken 09/06/05.
-
West (Snowy Range
Road)
