Tunnel Fire in Green River, WY. Raises Concerns for Humboldt Prkwy Residents
By Betty Jean Grant
Betty Jean Grant
Valentine’s Day, 2025, was a tragic day for the residents of Green River, WY, due to a devastating crash in the tunnel that is part of the Interstate 80 Expressway in their small town.
That morning, around 11:30 AM, a collision occurred involving at least two of the ten commercial vehicles and six passenger cars inside the tunnel. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident and the ensuing fire, which burned from 11:30 AM last Friday until it was finally extinguished around 9 PM Saturday night. It is astounding that it took first responders over 34 hours to gain control of the fire. One major challenge was that firefighters could only access the tunnel through its entrance and exit portals.
Sadly, three people lost their lives, and at least six others were injured. One of the most heartbreaking accounts came from a survivor who recorded a video before kicking out his truck’s windshield to escape the smoke and f lames. In the footage, people could be heard screaming in agony before being overcome by the fire and thick smoke.
As we mourn this devastating tragedy in Green River, Wyoming, we in Buffalo must consider the potential for a similar disaster if the proposed tunnel along Humboldt Parkway—championed by the governor, a few elected officials, and one or two community groups—is allowed to be built.
The movement to restore Humboldt Parkway by removing the Kensington Expressway (Route 33) has widespread support, including the residents of the parkway and over 100 community groups such as Partnership for the Public Good and the newly established East Side Parkways Coalition.
The East Side Parkways Coalition, along with over 60 past and present residents of Humboldt Parkway, successfully sued the New York State Department of Transportation to prevent the construction of a toxic tunnel on the 33 Expressway. The lawsuit demands a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement to assess the damage already caused and the potential harm if the expressway remains and a tunnel is built.
Currently, the estimated cost to build the tunnel is over $1.5 billion, a number that is only expected to rise. In contrast, it would cost just one-quarter of that amount to remove the expressway, replant the trees, and restore some of the housing that was destroyed when the highway was originally constructed.
The loss of life and destruction in Green River, WY, is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks posed by tunnels in high-traffic areas. As a writer and advocate, I can confidently speak on behalf of the East Side Parkways Coalition, We Are Women Warriors, and the many other groups and supporters fighting to prevent a similar catastrophe in Buffalo. We must continue to oppose this cancer-causing, accident-prone tunnel and push for a safer, healthier, and more community-focused alternative.