City wants to move Washakie Avenue project forward

WORLAND — The City of Worland and Mayor Jim Gill are ready to move forward on at least one phase of the Washakie Avenue reconstruction project.

Gill made an impassioned plea to the Washakie County commissioners last Tuesday at the commission meeting to help move the project forward.

He outlined a number of street improvement projects that were funded in part through the general purpose optional one-cent sales tax that is up for renewal this year.

“You helped set up a pathway to success through the 1 percent project. We thank you for that. Our next major street improvement project is and will continue to be Washakie Avenue. We’re not here representing the Urban Systems Committee. The council and I as elected officials are here to discuss with you as elected officials of the county about moving the Washakie Avenue project forward.”

He added that the public should know that the avenue on the south edge of the city is jointly owned by the city and the county from Railroad Avenue to where it transitions east to the county’s Lane 12.

“Both entities need to work together to upgrade the street as needed,” he said.

Gill said for the 11 years he has served the city both as a council member and as mayor there has been nothing but talk completed on the project.

Council member Kreg Lombard, former city mayor, said the project was discussed when he was mayor as well.

He said besides the one-cent optional tax, the only other revenue source the city has for street improvement is the Urban Systems program and that is only available to cities with a population of 5,000 or more. The city has accumulated just over $900,000 through the program but with the latest census showing the city under the 5,000 threshold they will receive no further funding.

Gill said while organizations talk about the project the street continues to degrade. It is considered a Farm to Market road and in the past the Wyoming Department of Transportation had a program for Farm to Market roads but the program is no longer in existence.

“If it’s not a farm to market road we could put a weight limit on the street. Would that be the right thing to do? Heavens no. We want to support our farm and ranch community,” Gill said.

“It is far past time to get this project moving. The City of Worland has the will. County commissioners do you?” Gill asked.

He said they are recommending the project be completed in phases with Eighth Street to 15th Street completed first, which would be about a $2 million project.

WYDOT District Construction Engineer Randy Merritt said the recon study has been completed and was paid for by the city and county rather than Urban Systems or other federal funds. He said once a project begins with federal funds there is a 10-year window for completion or the federal funds must be paid back to the federal government.

He said the recon study is awaiting for signatures from WYDOT officials.

To move the project forward, the city and the county need to determine how they want to fund it. If Urban Systems funding will be used for the project then that would require an agreement with WYDOT and that would start the 10-year clock.

Gill noted that the county has other programs it can apply for, for funding including Industrial Road Program, County Road Improvement Program. Any programs require matching funds and are competitive grant programs.

Once an agreement about the project is in place with WYDOT, the design phase would begin, Merritt said. He said the city and the county “are three to four years in design before you can turn dirt” after the agreement is signed as complicated as that road is. By the time you look at storm sewer, curb and gutter, you’ve got pathways, you’ve got the canal there, all these things. By the time you get through the environmental and all the other things you’re talking three to four years.”

Commission Chairman Fred Frandson said the county likely would have to use the County Road and Improvement Program.

Merritt said there is $3 million available for the County Road Improvement Program. The county has to apply for it. The city can be a partner to the county. Up to $3 million with a 10 percent match. At the end of that you take on like similar roadways.”

The county would look to take over maintenance of the same amount of miles off of the state system as is in the project. Merritt said there would be discussions on which roads would make sense.

As a partner the city would have to take over some WYDOT responsibility as well, such as clearing sidewalks that WYDOT is doing now.” He noted sidewalks on West River Road could be involved in the exchange.

In a meeting with government officials later in the week Governor Mark Gordon said there may be funding from the federal infrastructure bill once things are finalized with the distribution plan.

“We just want to get to a point where we can actually get something done,” Gill told the commissioners.

Commissioner Aaron Anderson said the county is willing to work on the project, “but can’t guarantee a timeline.”

Frandson said, “I don’t want to let this go anymore. It’s something I’ve been frustrated with too. We are committed, it’s just how we do it. The first thing we need to do is get the recon study signed.”