JACKSON, Wyo. — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced Wednesday, The Teton Mobility Corridor Improvements project has been awarded $20 million in federal BUILD Transportation grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The grant addresses the long-standing transportation needs of area residents and visitors and will improve mobility and public safety along the congested ID-33/WY-22 corridor.
“Teton County is thrilled with this award, which will help achieve the community’s vision for transportation called for in the Comprehensive Plan,” said Teton County Commission Chairwoman Natalia Macker.
Through the grant, the Teton Mobility Corridor Improvements Project will provide improved travel choices and connections for transit, an expanded pathway system, and safer highways for all travelers.
The thirteen projects included in the project focus on all aspects of travel and support environmental initiatives, including pathways and public transportation in both Teton County Wyoming and Idaho.
“Our communities are especially grateful for the leadership and support of U.S. Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming and Mike Crapo and James Risch of Idaho for joining forces to support the interstate application,” stated City of Driggs Mayor Hyrum Johnson.
Key projects include an updated Stilson Park Transit Center with the construction of a new transit center, pedestrian and bicycle interconnections, covered bike parking, and a transit priority signal at WY-390.
The construction of a pathway and underpass below WY-22 will link Wilson to the Stilson Park Transit Center. There will also be continuous active transportation facilities along WY-22 through the community of Wilson linking regional pathways. A new shared-use pathway will link Trail Creek Campground to Coal Creek.
On the Idaho side, there will also be significant construction with updates to the Driggs Downtown Transit Center, and additional turning lanes at ID-33 Baseline Rd. Intersection, to name a few.
“This is incredible news for our Jackson Hole and Teton Valley communities and shows the power of regional collaboration between organizations in Wyoming and Idaho. Despite the added challenge of the COVID-19 shutdown, we were able to put together a quality application in the short timeframe required and JHMR advanced the funding to kickstart the application process,” said Teton County Board of County Commissioners Vice-Chair Greg Epstein. “Teton County looks forward to working with the project partners to put these investments to work, improving our quality of life and access to jobs and recreation.”
The project in total will cost approximately $28 million, of which $20 million will be contributed by the Federal BUILD Transportation grant. The balance of approximately $8 million will be provided by the project partners as a match of cash and in-kind contributions, with the largest match contributions from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Teton County, Wyoming.
“The TMCI project came together quickly last spring as a collaborative group of public, private, and nonprofit sector organizations, spanning both sides of the Tetons, with the lead applicant, Teton County, Wyoming, to develop the project. Our success is a great example of what can be achieved through partnership,” stated JHMR President Mary Kate Buckley.
The BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grant program provides a unique opportunity for USDOT and communities to invest in road, rail, transit, and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives. Since 2009, Congress has dedicated nearly $7.9 billion for eleven rounds of National Infrastructure Investments in transportation grants to fund projects that have a significant local or regional impact.
“This is the largest federal transportation grant ever awarded to Teton County and Teton Valley, which will fund multi-modal improvements for enhanced transit service, new Stilson and Driggs Transit centers, a more walkable downtown Wilson, and address missing links in the pathways systems on both sides of Teton Pass,” said Wyoming Pathways Director Tim Young, who was one of the key nonprofit partners involved in the successful grant application.
The complete plan details can be viewed here.
