Major Headway for Jackson Hole Pathways!

WY-22 Pathway takes a big step forward - Bridge and Pathway concepts approved!
Yesterday the Teton County Commissioners and Jackson Town Council made key decisions to move forward on the WY-22 Pathway that will soon connect the Wilson Pathways to the Town Pathways, including a safe pathway bridge over the Snake River. Friends of Pathways thanks our Commissioners and Council for their leadership and resolve to complete the missing link in the pathways system as soon as possible.

This project is funded by the SPET 6th penny sales tax voters approved in 2008. Elected leaders set a target timeline of completing the pathway by 2013. Their approvals yesterday set $6.5 million in motion, covering two key segments:

1. WEST SEGMENT CONSTRUCTION– The Town and County reached agreement to finish final design and go to bid to construct the WY-22 Pathway from Stilson Transit Center to the existing Indian Springs Pathway by Journeys School, including a separate Snake River pathway bridge south of the WY-22 highway bridge. This key step completes a safe pathway connection between Wilson to Town, and meets a key WY-22 Pathway SPET project goal. Estimates are this will cost in the range of $6 million.
2. EAST SEGMENT FINAL DESIGN– The elected leaders also directed staff to complete Final Design and Bid Documents for the pathway and sidewalk improvements for the WY-22 East Segment, both sides of the highways from Spring Gulch Road Junction to the “Y” and along West Broadway to Flat Creek Bridge by the 5-Way Intersection. Completing Final Design is a necessary project step that will greatly help the Town and County secure the additional construction funding needed for the east segment construction. Estimates for Final Design are $463,000 total, including work done to date. This is also being paid by the voter-approved SPET tax.

NEW FEDERAL GRANTS FOR JH PATHWAYS AND SIDEWALKS: The USDOT announced competitive grants awarded from several federal transportation programs. Jackson Hole did really well, winning three major grants for community priorities. (Links below)

West Broadway Sidewalk Facilities:
The Town of Jackson was awarded $1,253,575 from the Scenic Byway Program for sidewalks and pathways along West Broadway, which is along the Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway. The new grant will allow the construction of safe, wide sidewalks along the south side of West Broadway from the Y to the 5-Way, and leverages the WY-22/West Broadway SPET funds that will pay for the final design. The Scenic Byway grant was very competitive, and Jackson won one of the highest awards in this program. Friends of Pathways helped assist the Town with the successful application.

Grand Teton National Park New Pathway Grant:
In addition to the WY-22 good news, Grand Teton National Park received the news it has been awarded a new $2,930,000 grant for pathways phase III. This will connect the Moose area with a new Pathway up to Antelope Flats Junction north of Moose. This opens up the quiet east side of the park for visitors to safely enjoy the views, wildlife viewing, and the historic sites, when starting from Dornan’s or Moose. The new pathway will extend directly from the pathway now being constructed south of Moose.

Friends of Pathways helped bring the grant possibility to the attention of park officials, and congratulates the park staff on the successful application. The funds are from a program called a Public Land Highway Discretionary Program.

New START Transit Bus Stops:
The Town and County also received news of a $123,918 grant for improvements to START bus stops.

Summary: “The combined benefit of these investments will greatly help Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park complete key pathways and continue to shift to a more sustainable multi-modal transportation vision that provides both residents and visitors with real choices in travel. Friends of Pathways heartily congratulates Town, County, and Grand Teton National Park in this success, and thanks local leaders for the foresight to invest in the future of travel and access in Jackson and Wyoming”, said Tim Young, Executive Director for Friends of Pathways.

Friends of Pathways has been an integral part of the pathway systems and safe streets development over the past 17 years. FOP is funded primarily through private donations and recognizes that none of its work could be accomplished without its over 1200 members and supporters (that’s YOU!). Many thanks to all of the friends of pathways, complete streets and trails!