CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The tiny town of Chugwater could finally get a gas station to replace one that burned down in a strange accident more than three years ago.

A 70-mile stretch of Interstate 25 north of Cheyenne has been without gas ever since a man with shoe polish on his face drove off the highway in a fiery crash in Chugwater. The fire burned down the Horton's Corner convenience store.

Locals ever since then have had to buy gas in Wheatland 25 miles away.

Recently the town of Chugwater bought the Horton's Corner property with a $400,000 federal grant. On Friday, town officials plan to open bids to build a new gas station at the site.

The winning bidder would assume full ownership of the gas station after five years.

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