Wyoming Pathways Seeks Project Ideas That Need Federal Funds

Wyoming Pathways asks all Wyomingites to consider what “Active Transportation” projects could use funding – and Cody should be paying attention.

Governor Mark Gordon has developed a proposal to make the best use of new federal funding Wyoming will receive from the American Rescue Plan. In the broad strokes, the objective is to create “a future where Wyoming can thrive.”

For Wyoming Pathways, the potential of federal funding is a prime opportunity to improve communities for citizens and cyclists.

Wyoming Pathways believes one significant opportunity is community-identified active transportation needs: walkable main streets, safe routes to school, and pathways for biking and walking. The nonprofit has created a survey for Wyoming residents to fill out to draw attention to this perceived need.

The survey is open to everyone and every entity in the state. Towns, cities, counties, nonprofits, and individuals are encouraged to submit a project – and answers can be as “complex” as you’d wish

“Please fill out the survey questions and seek help from your local elected officials if you need cost estimates or project details,” says Wyoming pathways Executive Director Tim Young. “Let us know what type of help you need. Documenting these active transportation needs will help show the demand that exists around Wyoming.”

Governor Gordon’s staff has expressed interest in learning more about Active Transportation needs. As a result, Wyoming Pathways is working to build a list of projects to provide the Governor and the Legislature, hopefully with significant contributions from the public.

Courtesy Wyoming Pathways

If the money was there, what pedestrian and bicycle projects does your community need to thrive in the future?

Creating an Active Transportation investment from the American Rescue Plan for community-identified biking and walking facilities would help fulfill many of the Governor’s objectives, including:

• Have a long-term impact or a return on investment.
• Be sustainable.
• Support Stimulus over relief.
• Where possible, leverage the dollars.
• Create capacity for the future.
• Benefit a broad group of citizens.

Federal funds could be an enormous benefit for Cody residents, as Active Transportation funding could solve the crossing dilemma on Big Horn Avenue.

WYDOT and the City of Cody are working together to find a long-term solution for safely crossing Big Horn Avenue, particularly for Cody Middle School students. Unfortunately, a long-term solution will likely take several years to implement and be quite costly.

The survey will be open throughout November and into December. Wyoming Pathways encourages anyone interested in Active Transportation projects in their communities to complete it as well – especially if you’re involved in government.