TRIP Report: Wyoming’s 25 Most Needed Transportation Projects

New report identifies Wyoming’s 25 most needed transportation projects for economic growth; projects would widen, modernize and improve roads to support energy, tourism and agriculture industries and promote quality of life

In order to support Wyoming’s rapidly growing energy industry and allow the state’s agriculture, tourism and manufacturing industries to thrive, the state will need to make numerous improvements to its surface transportation system. This is according to a new report released today by TRIP, a Washington, DC based national transportation research organization.

TRIP’s report, “The Top 25 Surface Transportation Projects to Support Economic Growth in Wyoming,” identifies and ranks the projects needed to provide Wyoming with a transportation system that can support the increased movement of people, goods and natural resources throughout the state. These improvements would enhance economic development opportunities in the state’s burgeoning energy sector as well as in other critical areas of the state’s economy including tourism, agriculture and manufacturing. They would also improve safety on the state’s roads, which would lower the financial and economic costs of traffic crashes.

According to the TRIP report, the most needed project is the modernization of the entire length of Interstate 80 within the state to include the construction of variable speed lanes, truck climbing lanes, truck parking areas and chain-up areas to facilitate freight and passenger travel on this critical national east-west corridor. The following projects are also among the most needed in the state: widening Route 59 in Campbell County to four lanes to improve access to the Powder River Basin area, reconstruction and redesign of the I-80/I-25 interchange in

Cheyenne to better serve nearby distribution centers and other businesses, construction of a West Beltway Loop Highway in Casper to improve freight movement and development along the corridor, and constructing a connector route in Torrington to replace the US 85/US 20-26 intersection and provide access to the Powder River Basin sulfur coal area and Niobrara Oil Play.

Additional projects in the top ten include modernizing 100 miles of county roads in Campbell County to serve the Powder River Basin coal mines, widening US Route 20/26 to four lanes from Casper to Shosoni to address the lack of connectivity in central Wyoming, widening the existing Wind River Canyon tunnels to improve commercial access to the region, constructing a three mile connector route from I-80 in Laramie County to WY 213 past Burns to replace the existing roadway/rail crossing and provide improved access to the Niobrara Oil Play, and the construction of a 16-mile Western Beltway Loop in Sheridan to relieve truck travel on I-80 and improve access in the western part of the region. A full list of needed projects, descriptions and their impact on economic development can be found in the appendix of the report.

“A well built and maintained modern transportation system is critical to the future of Wyoming’s economic growth. The bottom line for our state is we must be able to move supplies and materials in and out of Wyoming. Some people see construction and maintenance of our roads as a cost when it should be looked at as long-term investment in the future of our state,” said Laurie Farkas, vice president of the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce.

Enhancing critical segments of Wyoming’s surface transportation system will boost the state’s economy in the short-term by creating jobs in construction and related fields. In the long term these improvements will enhance economic competitiveness by reducing travel delays and transportation costs, improving access and mobility, improving safety and stimulating sustained job growth, improving the quality of life for the state’s residents and visitors.

Sustaining Wyoming’s long-term economic growth and maintaining the state’s high quality of life will require increased investment in expanding the capacity of the state’s surface transportation system, which will enhance business productivity and support short- and long-term job creation in the state.

“Wyoming can’t get where it wants to go – in both a literal and an economic sense – without an efficient transportation system,” said Will Wilkins, executive director of TRIP. “It is critical that Wyoming’s transportation system is adequately funded at the local, state and federal level. Thousands of jobs and the state’s economic well being are riding on it.”

Sources of data for this report include the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and the U.S. Census Bureau. All data used in the report is the latest available.

Top 25 Surface Transportation Projects to Support Economic Growth in Wyoming

January 2011

Executive Summary

Wyoming’s transportation system has played a significant role in the state’s development, providing mobility and access for residents, visitors, businesses and industry. The state’s roads, highways and bridges are the backbone of a transportation system that has helped make Wyoming a leader in the energy, agriculture and tourism sectors. Wyoming’s transportation system also provides for a high quality of life and makes the state a desirable place to live and visit. Today, Wyoming must continue to develop its economy to meet the demands of the 21^st Century. The condition and quality of its transportation system will play a critical role in Wyoming’s ability to continue to rebound from the recession and to capitalize on its economic advantages.

To achieve sustainable economic growth, Wyoming must proceed with numerous projects to improve key roads, highways and bridges in the state to support economic growth, particularly in its booming energy sector. Enhancing critical segments of Wyoming’s surface transportation system will boost the state’s economy in the short-term by creating jobs in construction and related fields. In the long-term these improvements will enhance economic competitiveness and improve the quality of life for the state’s residents and visitors by reducing travel delays and transportation costs, improving access and mobility, improving safety and stimulating sustained job growth.

In this report, TRIP examines recent transportation and economic trends in Wyoming and provides information on the surface transportation projects in the state that are most needed to support economic growth. Sources of data include the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), and the U.S. Census Bureau. All data used in the report is the latest available.

TRIP has identified the 25 surface transportation projects that are most needed to support Wyoming’s economic growth. These projects are located throughout the state.

The most needed surface transportation improvements in Wyoming include projects to modernize existing roadways, add lanes to existing roadways, improve interchanges and construct some new highway links. These improvements would enhance economic development opportunities in the state’s burgeoning energy sector as well as in other critical areas of the state’s economy including tourism, agriculture and manufacturing. Addressing these projects would also improve safety on the state’s roads, which would lower the financial and economic costs of traffic crashes.
TRIP ranked each transportation project based on a rating system that considered short-term economic benefits, including job creation; the level of improvement in the condition of the transportation facility, including safety improvements; the amount of improvement in access and mobility; and the long-term improvement provided in regional or state economic performance and competitiveness.
Wyoming’s 10 most needed surface transportation projects to support economic development in the state are as follows. Additional details on the 25 most needed projects in Wyoming for economic recovery and growth are included in the report’s Appendix.

Modernization of the entire length of Interstate 80 within the state. Spanning 400 miles across Wyoming, Interstate 80 is the backbone of the state’s economy and a critical national east-west link for freight movement and passenger vehicle travel. This $290 million modernization project would improve traffic flow and reliability on this route, particularly during the winter. The improvements include the construction of variable speed limits, truck-climbing lanes, truck parking areas and chain-up areas. This project will also provide significant safety benefits.
Widening of a 36-mile portion of Wyoming Route 59 in Campbell County to four lanes. This $97 million project would widen this route from Wright to Gillette to improve access to the Powder River Basin area, the largest producer of low sulfur coal in the nation. This project will also provide significant safety benefits.
Reconstruction and redesign of the interchange of Interstate 80 and Interstate 25 in Cheyenne. This $325 million project would modernize the state’s busiest interchange and improve safety and traffic flow. The out-dated design of the interchange impedes vehicle traffic, particularly freight shipments, restricting access to nearby distribution centers and other businesses.
Construction of West Beltway Loop Highway in Casper. The current alignment carries significant traffic, particularly during the winter when large trucks and other traffic must detour around portions of Interstate 80 during extreme weather. The $58 million construction of a Western Loop Highway in the Casper area would improve freight movement and stimulate economic development along this corridor.
Construction of a new 1.6 mile connector route in Torrington to replace intersection of US 85 and US 20-26. This $35 million project would improve access to Niobrara Oil Play and decrease conflicts with Powder River Basin low sulfur coal shipments while improving connections for freight and livestock movement from the Heartland Express to Interstates 80 and 25.
Modernizing approximately 100 miles of county roads in Campbell County. This $101 million project would improve traffic flow, particularly for large trucks, to and from coal mines in the Powder River Basin area. It would include the realignment of some routes and would help accommodate continued expansion of coal extraction in this region.
Widening of US Route 20/26 from two to four lanes from Casper to Shoshoni. This $342 million project would add two additional lanes and renovate the two existing lanes of an 88-mile portion of US Route 20/26. This project would address the lack of connectivity in the central portion of Wyoming to any multi-lane highways while improving access for energy exploration and development, agriculture, and tourism. This project will also provide significant safety benefits.
Widening the existing Wind River Canyon tunnels. The $36 million project would allow large commercial trucks to access the Big Horn Basin without detouring through Billings, Montana. It would greatly improve commercial access to the region, which would positively impact tourism and agriculture.
New three-mile connector route from Interstate 80 in Laramie County to WY 213 past Burns, Wyoming. This $9 million project would replace an existing roadway/rail crossing, which causes long delays whenever a train crosses, with a grade-separated route. It would eliminate delays at the intersection of the highway and rail routes and improve access to the Niobrara Oil Play. The project would also increase traffic safety along this corridor.
Construction of a 16-mile Western Beltway Loop in Sheridan. This $80 million project would relieve heavy commercial truck travel moving to Interstate 90 and improve access in the western part of this region, which is experiencing significant growth due to continued expansion in oil, gas and coal extraction. The project would also enhance commercial and residential development opportunities in the western part of the region.

Surface transportation projects that improve the efficiency, condition or safety of a highway or transit route provide significant economic benefits by reducing transportation delays and costs associated with a deficient transportation system. The benefits of transportation improvements include the following:

Improved business competitiveness because of reduced production and distribution costs as a result of increased travel speeds and fewer mobility barriers.
Improvements in household welfare as a result of better access to higher-paying jobs, a wider selection of competitively priced consumer goods, additional housing and healthcare options, and improved mobility for residents without access to private vehicles.
Gains in local, regional and state economies as a result of improved regional economic competitiveness, which stimulates population and job growth.
Increased leisure/tourism and business travel as a result of enhanced conditions and reliability of a region’s transportation system.
A reduction in economic losses from vehicle crashes, traffic congestion and vehicle maintenance costs associated with driving on deficient roads.
The creation of both short-term and long-term jobs.
Transportation projects that expand roadway or transit capacity produce significant economic benefits by reducing congestion and improving access, thus speeding the flow of people and goods while reducing fuel consumption.
Transportation projects that maintain and preserve existing transportation infrastructure also provide significant economic benefits by improving travel speeds, capacity, load-carry abilities and safety, and reducing operating costs for people and businesses. Such projects also extend the service life of a road, bridge or transit vehicle or facility, which saves money by either postponing or eliminating the need for more expensive future repairs.
A 2007 analysis by the Federal Highway Administration found that every $1 billion invested in highway construction would support approximately 27,800 jobs, including approximately 9,500 in the construction sector, approximately 4,300 jobs in industries supporting the construction sector, and approximately 14,000 other jobs induced in non-construction related sectors of the economy.
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that each dollar spent on road, highway and bridge improvements results in an average benefit of $5.20 in the form of reduced vehicle maintenance costs, reduced delays, reduced fuel consumption, improved safety, reduced road and bridge maintenance costs, and reduced emissions as a result of improved traffic flow.

While the United States entered a significant economic downturn in 2008, including a large increase in unemployment, Wyoming has fared better economically than most of the nation, buoyed in particular by a strong energy sector, which includes oil, gas and coal extraction.

In November 2008, Wyoming’s unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, significantly lower than the national 6.9 percent unemployment rate. With demand for energy and other materials declining as a result of the U.S. and global recession, unemployment peaked in Wyoming in January 2010, with an unemployment rate of 7.6 percent, which was still lower than the national 9.7 percent unemployment rate at that time.
In 2010, Wyoming’s economy started to slowly rebound. Led by energy exploration, Wyoming’s economy is recovering as the labor market slowly adds jobs, buoyed by increasing prices for energy. However, a faster economic recovery for the state will require a stronger U.S. economic recovery, which will increase the demand for energy. By November 2010, Wyoming’s unemployment rate had decreased to 6.6 percent, significantly lower than the national 9.8 percent unemployment rate.
In 2009, Wyoming experienced the second highest rate of economic growth in the U.S. – behind only Oklahoma – with a 5.4 percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) when adjusted for inflation. Real GDP in the U.S. declined by 2.1 percent in 2009.
From 1990 to 2009, Wyoming’s population increased by 20 percent, from 454,000 to 544,000. Wyoming’s population is expected to increase by another 14 percent by 2030 to approximately 621,000.
From 1990 to 2008, annual vehicle-miles-of-travel (VMT) in the state increased by 62 percent, from approximately 5.8 billion VMT to 9.4 billion VMT. Based on travel and population trends, TRIP estimates that vehicle travel in Wyoming will increase by another 50 percent by 2030, reaching approximately 14.2 billion VMT.

Wyoming’s economy is served by an extensive surface transportation system that has significant deficiencies. The state’s roadways carry the majority of freight shipped in the state.

Wyoming is served by a system of 28,105 miles of roads and 3,054 bridges, maintained by local, state and federal governments, which carry 9.5 billion vehicle miles of travel annually.
Nearly a fifth of the state’s major roads are deficient, with four percent of Wyoming’s major roads rated in poor condition in 2008. An additional 14 percent of the state’s major roads were rated in mediocre condition in 2008.
Thirteen percent of Wyoming’s bridges were rated structurally deficient in 2009,. A bridge is structurally deficient if there is significant deterioration of the bridge deck, supports or other major components. Structurally deficient bridges are often posted for lower weight or closed to traffic, restricting or redirecting large vehicles, including commercial trucks, school buses and emergency services vehicles.
Every year, $24 billion in goods are shipped annually from sites in Wyoming and another $28 billion in goods are shipped annually to sites in Wyoming, mostly by truck.
In 2009 nine percent of Wyoming’s bridges were rated as functionally obsolete. Bridges that are functionally obsolete no longer meet current highway design standards, often because of narrow lanes, inadequate clearances or poor alignment.
Fifty-three percent of the goods shipped annually from sites in Wyoming are carried by trucks and another seven percent are carried by multiple modes of transportation, including trucks.

Projects Identified as needing immediate attention:

Widening of a 36-mile portion of Wyoming Route 59 in Campbell County to four lanes. This $97 million project would widen this route from Wright to Gillette to improve access to the Powder River Basin area, the largest producer of low sulfur coal in the nation. This project will also provide significant safety benefits.
Widening of a 36-mile portion of Wyoming Route 59 in Campbell County to four lanes. This $97 million project would widen this route from Wright to Gillette to improve access to the Powder River Basin area, the largest producer of low sulfur coal in the nation. This project will also provide significant safety benefits.
Reconstruction and redesign of the interchange of Interstate 80 and Interstate 25 in Cheyenne. This $325 million project would modernize the state’s busiest interchange and improve safety and traffic flow. The out-dated design of the interchange impedes vehicle traffic, particularly freight shipments, restricting access to nearby distribution centers and other businesses.
Construction of West Beltway Loop Highway in Casper. The current alignment carries significant traffic, particularly during the winter when large trucks and other traffic detour around portions of Interstate 80 during extreme weather. The $58 million construction of a Western Loop Highway in the Casper area would improve freight movement and stimulate economic development along this corridor.
Construction of a new 1.6-mile connector route in Torrington to replace intersection of US 85 and US 20-26. This $35 million project would relieve congestion at this intersection and improve access to the Niobrara Oil Play and decrease conflicts with Powder River Basin low sulfur coal shipments while improving freight connections for freight and livestock movement from the Heartland Express to Interstates 80 and 25.
Modernizing approximately 100 miles of county roads in Campbell County. This $101 million project would include the realignment of some routes and would help accommodate continued expansion of coal extraction in this region. It would improve traffic flow, particularly for large trucks to and from coalmines in the Powder River Basin area.
Widening of US Route 20/26 from two to four lanes from Casper to Shoshoni. This $342 million project would add two additional lanes and renovate the two existing lanes of an 88-mile portion of US Route 20/26. This project would address the lack of connectivity in the central portion of Wyoming to any multi-lane highways while improving access for energy exploration and development, agriculture and tourism. This project will also provide significant safety benefits.
Widening the Wind River Canyon tunnels to accommodate the access of oversized commercial trucks to the Big Horn Basin. This $36 million project would allow large commercial trucks to access the Big Horn Basin without detouring through Billings, Montana. It would greatly improve commercial access to the region, which would positively impact tourism and agriculture.
New three-mile connector route from Interstate 80 in Laramie County to WY 213 past Burns, Wyoming. This $9 million project would replace an existing roadway/rail crossing, which causes long-delays whenever a train crosses, with a grade-separated route. It would eliminate delays at the intersection of the highway and rail routes and improve access to the Niobrara Oil Play. The project would also increase traffic safety along this corridor.
Construction of a 16-mile Western Beltway Loop in Sheridan. This $80 million project would help move commercial truck travel to Interstate 90 and improve access in the western part of this region, which is experiencing significant growth due to continued expansion in oil, gas and coal extraction. The project would also enhance commercial and residential development opportunities in the western part of the region.
The construction of a 14-mile Southern Beltway Loop in Southwest Gillette. This $70 million project would alleviate traffic in town, particularly large commercial vehicles. It would improve access to the Southwestern portion of Gillette, the fourth largest city in Wyoming, which is also seeing some of the largest population growth in the state. This project would facilitate the movement of heavy equipment to and from the region’s mining, oil and gas facilities and improve regional traffic safety.
Widening and relocating a 16-mile portion of Wyoming 51 in Campbell County. This $27 million project would improve access to coal mines in the Powder River Basin area and allow recovery of additional coal in the area and will improve regional traffic safety.
Modernizing a nine-mile portion of US 14 in Campbell County. This project would allow US 14 to accommodate large-vehicles serving oil and gas development in the region while improving traffic safety. The $17 million project will include widening and resurfacing of the route.
Modernization of Wyoming 451 from Big Piney to Pinedale in southwest Wyoming. This region is home to some of the largest gas fields in the nation. The $45 million project, which will include widening, bridge reconstruction and resurfacing, will allow the road to better accommodate large commercial trucks and will improve traffic safety.
Widening to multi-lanes of 12 miles of US 287 from Laramie to the Colorado State line. The $56 million project will widen a route that is often used as a cut-off by I-80 travelers headed to Colorado, particularly during inclement weather. Widening this route will improve access for large trucks and will improve traffic safety.
Construction of passing lanes on 32-mile section of US 85 from Cheyenne towards Torrington. Freight traffic, particularly oil rigs, continues to increase on this route as a result of oil production in the Niobrara Oil Play. This $8.6 million project will help accommodate increased oil production in the area and improve traffic safety.
Widening and modernizing a 22-mile portion of Wyoming 450 from Newcastle to Wright in Campbell County. This project will improve access to coal mines in the Powder River Basin area and allow recovery of additional coal. This $40 million project will also improve regional traffic safety.
Widening a 10.5-mile portion of Wyoming 59 north of Douglas in Converse County. The $28 million project will ease growing commuter and freight traffic congestion headed into the Wyoming Powder River Basin low sulfur coal fields. The modernization of this roadway will also improve traffic safety.
Modernizing a 7-mile portion of Wyoming 132 in Fremont County. This $14 million project would reconstruct and replace a bridge on a section of roadway in the Ethete area, which serves the Wind River Indian Reservation. The improvement of this route will enhance economic development opportunities in this area and improve traffic safety.
Widening and resurfacing US 189 between LeBarge and Big Piney in Sublette County. This $10 million project will improve access to the region’s oil and gas fields, and will improve traffic safety.
Reconstructing a 7.5-mile portion of US 287 through the Wind River Indian Reservation in Fremont County. The $18 million improvement to this route will improve access to the Reservation as well as to Teton and Yellowstone national parks. This project will improve traffic safety and benefit tourism and agriculture.
Adding an interchange and reconstructing a portion of Blairtown Road in Rock Springs. This $15 million project will improve access to Interstate 80 in a region that is experiencing significant growth because of its proximity to nearby gas and oil fields. This project will open new areas for commercial and industrial growth and improve traffic safety.
Widening a portion of US 191 in Pinedale from two lanes to five lanes. The $3.7 million project in Sublette County would improve access to nearby oil and gas fields and improve traffic safety on this route.
Widening and adding turn lanes to eight miles of Big Piney Road in Sublette County. The $3 million project would improve access to nearby oil and gas fields and improve traffic safety on this route.
Construction of Speedway Road to connect I-25 to US 85 in Cheyenne. This $4.5 million project would construct a 1.5 mile connector road between two major highways in the region. The project will improve access to a new industrial park in the area and enhance commercial and residential development opportunities along this corridor.

For the the full TRIP Report, click here

For details on the 25 above noted projects, click here

Executive Summary

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