The primary purpose of this project is to improve safety and mobility for all users and modes of transportation through the approximate 6-mile segment of WY 22 corridor between Jackson and Wilson in Teton County, Wyoming. Currently, travelers experience substantial travel time delays—particularly during the peak travel hours in the mornings and evenings. Existing traffic volumes between the Y intersection and WY 22/390 intersection exceed the two-lane highway capacity. Also, as traffic volumes and congestion have increased over the past decade, the number and severity of crashes have increased. Accessing WY 22 from the local roadway network, particularly making left-hand turns onto and off-of WY 22, is severely inhibited due to congestion.
The list below categorizes the corridor’s transportation needs as either safety or mobility related, although these issues are interrelated. That is, safety problems often affect mobility and vice-versa.
Addressing the Primary Safety Need Through:
- Reducing the potential for crashes, notably related to congestion, turning movements, and wildlife vehicle collisions (WVCs)
- Improving multimodal intersection safety and access
- Improve reliable access for emergency vehicles
- Improving transportation network resiliency caused by natural disasters
Addressing the Primary Mobility Need Through:
- Reducing peak period travel time delay.
- Accommodating existing and future person trips
- Improving multimodal intersection operations
- Support a multimodal transportation corridor.
Project goals were identified and workshopped with the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) in October 2023. The goals supplement the alternatives screening process by helping to differentiate between alternatives. Project goals include:
Environmental Protection – Preserve the high-value natural and social resources through avoidance and minimization of environmental impacts, including consideration of the potential for an alternative to impact wetlands and Waters of the U.S., noise levels, historic resources, pathways, and conservation easements.
Wildlife Permeability – Improve and work with others to safeguard wildlife permeability of WY 22 by responsibly placing animal crossing opportunities on protected lands that work in conjunction with other wildlife-related project elements (i.e., fencing, deer-guards, jumpouts).
Maintain the natural setting and character – Identify and evaluate safety and mobility improvements that maintain the corridor’s natural setting and character.