JANUARY 13, 2025|
Photo – Map of proposed walkway – Courtesy Town of Saratoga
The town of Saratoga is preparing to use a recently completed walkway study to improve pedestrian access around town.
In October of 2022, the Saratoga Planning Commission received a $200,000 Wyoming Department of Transportation grant to conduct a study of what, if any, improvements are needed to the town’s sidewalks and pathways. Denver-based OV Consulting was hired to create the Saratoga Transportation Alternatives Master Plan.
Through a series of public meetings and tours, OV Consulting identified 11 walkway improvement projects around town, including constructing a walkway between the schools and library on Elm Avenue and adding additional crosswalks along the highway.
The Saratoga Transportation Alternatives Master Plan, or STAMP for short, was formally adopted by the town council late last year. The town can use the completed plan to seek out funding opportunities for the proposed walkway projects.
During the January 7th Saratoga town council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner reminded the governing body that the STAMP highlighted the necessity for walkways along Elm Avenue and the route between downtown and the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, previously known as the Saratoga Inn.
Penner explained that the Wyoming Department of Transportation is offering a grant of up to $1 million, with a 9.75% match from the town, to fund transportation-related improvements. The public works director said the grant administrators agreed that the Elm Avenue and Hot Spring Resort walkways were likely to qualify for funding. Penner suggested moving forward with the grant application.
Penner said to improve the odds of securing a WYDOT grant, both projects should be at least partially designed. He presented a contract with Engineering Associates to have the Saratoga-based company begin design work on the Elm Avenue and Hot Spring Resort walkways.
Penner said Town Attorney Kylie Waldrip has agreed that the town may legally use impact assistance money to fund the process until the grant is approved.
Councilman Jerry Fluty mentioned that the Saratoga Transportation Alternatives Master Plan began when the town’s planning commission suggested building a walkway from Valley Foods into the center of town. Councilman Fluty asked if that project was still being considered.
The Public Works Director stated that OV Consulting owner Chris Vogelsang concluded the project was neither economically feasible nor wanted by residents.
Mayor Chuck Davis said that OV Consulting explored the possibility of constructing a crosswalk across Highway 130, providing pedestrian access from the grocery store to River Street. However, the consulting firm concluded that crossing the highway would be too dangerous.
The public works director and Mayor Davis both noted that WYDOT was not receptive to any proposed changes to the highway.
Penner mentioned that WYDOT is planning to resurface Highway 130 within the next five years. The public works director said that may be the time to ask the state agency to work on a path from the grocery store into town.
The Saratoga town council unanimously voted to approve the $60,000 contract with Engineering Associates for design work on the Elm Avenue and Hot Springs Resort walkways.
