I-80
View of Interstate 80 at the Arlington Interchange on Friday, July 3, 2009 around noon. WYDOT webcam image.
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I-80 Roundtop
I-80 roadsurface view from the Roundtop webcam on July 3, 2009.
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March 23, 2009 I-80
View of Interstate 80 near Evanston on Monday, March 23, 2009 during a winter storm. Heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions make road maintenance a challenge for this interstate.
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Update on I-80 tolling question
by Wyoming Department of Transportation
July 3, 2009
Study related to the concept of instituting a toll on Interstate 80 across southern Wyoming continues this month, and WYDOT has scheduled additional open house-public meetings for Casper and Gillette. The meetings are part of an ongoing public education and involvement effort associated with the study.
Five similar events were conducted last month in communities (Cheyenne, Laramie, Rawlins, Rock Springs and Evanston) along the I-80 corridor. The upcoming open houses are set for Wednesday, July 15, at the Parkway Plaza in Casper and Thursday, July 16, at the Best Western Towers West in Gillette. Both meetings begin at 5 p.m.
"During the interactions we’ve had with the public meetings so far, we’ve received a range of reaction to the concept of tolling on I-80," Pat Collins, WYDOT assistant chief engineer for engineering, said. "Understandably, there’s a lot of concern and also, some misconceptions about the tolling concept."
"A key point is that as of today, there is no plan or proposal for tolling. It is simply one of a number of possible ways that legislators can consider as a means of addressing the growing needs of maintaining I-80 into the future," Collins added.
During the next three decades, I-80 traffic is expected to more than double from the current average of 13,000 vehicles per day. Large truck traffic, which now makes up about half of I-80 usage, is expected to increase at a faster pace than passenger vehicle traffic. Meanwhile, estimates show WYDOT will need $6.4 billion, after adjusting for inflation, during that time frame to simply maintain I-80 in its present condition, exclusive of adding capacity to meet traffic growth. The $6.4-billion cost estimate exceeds the total of revenue expected to be available for maintenance of the entire state highway system, much less I-80.
"We are most interested in receiving constructive comment about how to best address our anticipated I-80 funding challenges, whether it’s tolling or another method. We appreciate that our legislators will have difficult choices ahead of them in providing adequate funding to keep up with demands," Collins said.
Research into the possible tolling of I-80 began last year following authorization by the Legislature's Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Interim Committee. The initial phase of work concluded last fall with the issuance of a feasibility study by consultant firm PB Americas.
Earlier this year, the full Legislature enacted a measure (Enrolled Act No. 111), requiring additional study to build on the findings of last year's I-80 tolling feasibility report. One of the focal points is the possible expansion of I-80 to three lanes in each direction to meet the future needs.
Comment forms will be provided at the upcoming meetings in Casper and Gillette. Those unable to attend but wishing to comment may do so by submitting their comments to Tim McDowell, State Programming Engineer, WYDOT, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009, or via email to: tollingstudy@dot.state.wy.us.
Detailed information about the I-80 Tolling Study, as well as an I-80 usage survey, is available on WYDOT’s Web site (www.dot.state.wy.us/wydot/planning_projects/studies_plans/I-80_tolling_study).
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