June 9, 2023 |
Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Rawlins Urban Systems Chairwoman Judy Dixon updated the city council this week on the committee’s projects.
During Monday’s meeting, Dixon said the committee seeks public feedback to determine the priority of federally funded streets projects in the city. She explained how the board functions.
Dixon said a separate Urban Systems Committee board needs to be formed for the city to receive federal funding. The chairwoman said board members are chosen by county commissioners and city council members. Dixon said Rawlins Public Works Director Cody Dill and City Engineer Austin Gilbert are on the 15-member Urban Systems Committee board.
She said under her watch, the Urban Systems Committee meets three times a year although it is only required to meet twice. Even with the additional meeting, Dixon said it is difficult for the board to accomplish anything.
Dixon told the city council that her board is currently working on two projects. The Urban System Committee chairwoman said one of the projects under review is a walking tunnel underneath Highway 287. The tunnel, she said, has been in the works for a long time.
Dixon said the idea of the tunnel was proposed after the Highland Hills Elementary school was closed in 2012. She said the walking tunnel would provide a safe way for students to cross Highway 287.
Dixon said the Wyoming Department of Transportation has hired a consultant to survey the area with construction to begin in 2025.
Another project across town involves the 6th Street overpass. Dixon said the 6th Street overpass is showing signs of age. The Urban Systems Chairwoman said WYDOT is covering most of the cost for the project. Dixon said any contribution by the city would be minimal.
Dixon said WYDOT would examine the possibility of adding a sidewalk to the 6th Street overpass. She said the sidewalk was part of the overpass originally, but it was removed during renovations made with 2019 6th Penny Tax funds.
Dixon said the Urban Systems Committee is considering other projects. She said the road to the Rawlins Municipal Airport needs to be repaved. The committee chairwoman said they are also looking at extending Alton Lane to intersect with Walmart.
Mayor Terry Weickum asked if a gas line along the proposed extension route would prohibit construction of the road. Dixon said she didn’t know the answer. Mayor Weickum said he was under the impression that the gas line was too close to the surface to pave over.
Another Urban Systems Committee project, Dixon said, is extending Brooks Street in front of Rawlins High School. The east end of Brooks now terminates before reaching Highway 287. Dixon said the extension is one of many plans her board is considering.
Dixon said the State of Wyoming and WYDOT contribute around $175,000 a year to the city to pay for transportation improvement projects. The Urban Systems Committee chairwoman congratulated her board for saving $1.7 million dollars over the years. Dixon said most of the savings will go toward the pedestrian tunnel beneath Highway 287.
Mayor Weickum thanked Dixon and her board for their work.
Dixon asked residents to bring their suggestions for transportation improvements to the city council.
