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Wyoming Highway 24

Route map:
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(Redirected from Highway 24 (Wyoming))
Wyoming Highway 24 marker
Wyoming Highway 24
Bear Lodge Highway
Map
WYO 24 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by WYDOT
Length46.26 mi (74.45 km)
Existed1961–present
Major junctions
West end US 14 at Carlile Junction
Major intersections
East end SD 34 at the South Dakota state line
Location
CountryUnited States
StateWyoming
CountiesCrook
Highway system
  • Wyoming State Highway System
WYO 22 I-25
WYO 487 WYO 530

Wyoming Highway 24 (WYO 24), also known as the Bear Lodge Highway, is a 46.72-mile (75.19 km) state highway in Crook County, Wyoming, United States. that connects U.S. Route 14 (US 14) in Carlile Junction with South Dakota Highway 34 (SD 34) at the South Dakota state line. The route passes through the northern portion of the Bear Lodge Mountains, part of the Black Hills National Forest. The highway also passes by Devils Tower National Monument.[1]

WYO 24 northbound toward Devils Tower, June 2004

Route description

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WYO 24 near Devils Tower, August 2011

WYO 24 is begins at US 14 in Carlile Junction (also known as Devils Tower Junction). From its western terminus, it travels in a north–south direction, although the route is signed east–west. It is mainly a two-lane highway from US 14 to near Devils Tower National Monument. When it gets to Devils Tower, it spawns a short spur, Wyoming Highway 110 (WYO 110). After passing by WYO 110, it curves northeast-southwest. The road reaches Hulett, where it intersects Wyoming Highway 112. In Hulett, WYO 24 is dubbed Main Street and A Street. Moving on, WYO 24 curves to the signed east–west orientation, but curves northwest-southeast. WYO 24 passes by some gulches, most notably Reservoir Gulch and Lucky Gulch. WYO 24 then turns south, then generally follows the east–west orientation. It then intersects Wyoming Highway 111 a short time later. There are no further major junctions and towns on the route, as WYO 24 crosses the state line and becomes SD 34.[citation needed]

History

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WYO 24 was not in the original State Highway grid until 1961. The predecessor to this route was Wyoming Highway 514.[citation needed]

In 2018, the speed limit on WYO 24 near Devils Tower was reduced from 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) to 45 mph (72 km/h) due to higher traffic volumes during peak travel seasons and the road's history of collisions.[2] The monument had its highest visitor count in 2021, which saw traffic jams from the entrance that slowed a section of WYO 24.[3]

Major intersections

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The entire route is in Crook County. [4]

Location[4]mi[5][6]kmDestinationsNotes
Carlile Junction0.000.00
US 14 north – Sundance, Spearfish (South Dakota)

US 14 south – Moorcroft, Gillette
Western terminus; T intersection
Devils Tower5.989.62
WYO 110 west (Devils Tower Monument Road) – Devils Tower
Eastern terminus of WYO 110; T intersection
Hulett14.7923.80Bridge over Belle Fourche River
15.1324.35
WYO 112 north (Hulett–Alzada Highway) – Alzada (Montana)
Southern terminus of WYO 112; T intersection
15.3524.70Bridge over Belle Fourche River
Aladdin39.2663.18
WYO 111 south – I-90/US 14
Northern terminus of WYO 111; T intersection
46.2674.45South Dakota State LineEastern terminus

SD 34 east – Belle Fourche, Sturgis, Pierre
Continuation east beyond eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

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References

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  1. ^ O'Clair, Jim (September 23, 2018). "Wyoming's Highway 24". Hemmings Motor News. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  2. ^ "Reduced speed limit in effect near Devils Tower". The Sheridan Press. May 25, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  3. ^ Cook, Hugh (February 4, 2022). "Devils Tower experienced a record 2021, and officials are planning for a future of increased tourism". Wyoming Public Radio. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  4. ^ Geography Division (2016). "Wyoming Governmental Unit Reference Map". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  5. ^ "Reference Marker Book" (PDF) (Map). dot.state.wy.us. Wyoming Department of Transportation. November 2004. p. 168. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
  6. ^ "WYO 24" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
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