JACKSON, Wyo. — The revamp at the Wilson Boat Ramp is back on track after nearly three years. The Teton County Board of County Commissioners approved an update to a contract agreement with Harmony Design and Engineering.
Harmony Design and Engineering was contracted by Teton County back in 2018 to develop site designs and began facilitating the construction bidding for the project. According to the staff report, the project was halted due to a “lack of appropriate funding.”
Teton County is allocating an additional $13, 890 to Harmony Design and Engineering to complete design and construction document updates. The major updates include a new pathway from the end of the Snake River pedestrian bridge to Highway 22 bridge, a paved drive on top of the levee, a traffic circle and additional parking.
Jared Baecker, Snake River Fund executive director spoke during public comment on the item. Baecker discussed the decade-long effort to improve the Wilson Boat ramp area and aired his grievances with the current plan, not including improvements to the ramp itself.
“Improving parking and the boat ramp at the same time goes hand in hand,” Baecker said.
“Let’s not spend 700k on improved parking access on the road when the ramp itself is failing. Let’s harden the boat ramp so it doesn’t need to be graded and regraded numerous times per year.” Baecker said.
Bud Chatham, a local river guide with Dave Hansen Whitewater, spoke during the meeting as well. Chatham asked the Board to prioritize safe river access over parking. He said that providing more parking at the ramp will not fix the problem of access to the river. Chatham also cited the river outfitters and private trips that utilize the gravel ramp.
Jackson/Teton County Parks and Recreation Director, Steve Ashworth responded to the points made during public comment.
“Accessibility down to the river to where the boats launch is something we think we can do,” Ashworth said.
Ashworth suggested switchbacks might be used to get down to the water’s edge. He also discussed using a surface for the ramp that is not slick, so trucks can load and unload boats easily.
“The biggest challenge with that [permanent ramp structure] is the dynamic nature of the river. The cost was going to be close to several million dollars to put in a hardened, concrete, permanent ramp with the understanding that significant maintenance and challenges would continue to happen,” Ashworth said.
Public engagement about the project is scheduled for August 10 and August 11.
“If any of us could have chosen a place on the river to put a boat ramp it probably wouldn’t have been there. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but thats where the public land was,” Ashworth said.
The new design plans will also have to consider the upcoming Wilson Bridge/Highway 22 road realignment project and proposed wildlife crossings in the area.
In 2019, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) identified the need to replace the Wilson Bridge and realign the intersection at Highway 390 and Highway 22 as a “high priority improvement project.” According to WYDOT, the bridge deck is deteriorated and nearing the end of its service life. The project also includes implementing a proposed three wildlife crossings in the area. Construction is slated to begin in 2023.
The new pathway under the bridge, an aspect of the boat ramp project, will not be built until the Wilson Bridge is rebuilt.
Ashworth hopes that construction companies will begin bidding on the project in Oct. or Nov., with the work completed prior to the 2022 spring season.
