Shoshoni Mistakenly Marked as Closed on Google and Apple Maps
The town of Shoshoni in Wyoming has been mistakenly marked as closed on Google and Apple Maps. According to Mayor Joel Highsmith, the mistake occurred because the artificial intelligence used by these navigation apps did not recognize an alternative route around a temporary detour.
The detour is due to roadwork on U.S. Highway 20/26 at the Bighorn Divide and Wyoming Railroad crossing. The contractor working on this project has built a temporary detour road, which is a flat and relatively dust-free route that traffic can take instead of diverting down remote backroads.
Shoshoni Police Chief Chris Konija acknowledged that travelers have been misled by the navigation apps and encouraged them to check official sources for true road conditions. He recommended visiting wyoroad.info, which updates almost in real-time, rather than relying on Google or Apple Maps.
The mistake has already caused some inconvenience for local businesses, with Mayor Highsmith expressing concern that it could impact the town's economy if traffic continues to be diverted away from Shoshoni.