Rawlins Council Discuss Higley Boulevard Pedestrian Tunnel Project

May 23, 2025 |

Photo – Pedestrian tunnel under railroad tracks – Bigfoot99 file photo

Rawlins officials, facing escalating costs with construction, are debating whether to proceed with building a long-planned pedestrian underpass on Higley Boulevard.

During the May 20^th Rawlins City Council meeting, the governing body discussed the pedestrian underpass set to be constructed on Higley Boulevard, near the intersection of Aberdeen Boulevard. The project is a collaboration between the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the City of Rawlins.

For the past 20 years, Rawlins officials have worked with WYDOT to enhance pedestrian safety along Highway 287, also known as North Higley Boulevard. Following extensive studies, the Rawlins Urban Systems Committee and WYDOT determined an underground walking tunnel is the most effective and cost-efficient solution. The tunnel, if completed, will allow pedestrians to travel between the Highland Hills residential area, nearby school campuses, and the Carbon County Higher Education Center without having to cross the busy highway.

In 2022, the city entered a contract with WYDOT to construct the pedestrian underpass for $1,506,659, with the city pledging to cover $158,341, or 9.51% of the total project cost.

Since that time, construction prices have skyrocketed. This past February, WYDOT informed the city the contractor bids came in much higher than expected. The lowest bid was $3,332,767, or approximately $1.8 million over the originally agreed upon cost.

Due to the higher-than-expected costs, WYDOT advised the City Council to reject the bids and seek additional contractor estimates in late March. If the Council had accepted the lowest bid, the city of Rawlins would have been responsible for contributing $1.9 million toward the pedestrian underpass.

At the May 20^th City Council meeting, Public Works Director Cody Dill informed the governing body that WYDOT has postponed the bidding process until October. Dill said WYDOT officials want to know if the city remains committed to the project, despite its potential contribution rising from $158,000 to over $1 million.

City Manager Tom Sarvey explained that after receiving the unexpectedly high bids, WYDOT contacted the contractors, hoping to reduce the project’s overall cost. By eliminating portions of the project, such as dirt work, the price was reduced by roughly $400,000.

Sarvey said lowering the total cost has also reduced engineering and construction expenses, potentially saving the city $587,000. However, even with the adjusted price tag, Sarvey said the city would still need to contribute $1.3 million.

City Manager Sarvey said the city currently has no money set aside to cover its portion of the project costs.

City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave added the WYDOT contract stipulates the city is entirely responsible for maintaining the pedestrian tunnel once constriction is complete.

Sarvey said if the city decides to stop the Higley Boulevard pedestrian underpass project, it must reimburse WYDOT for all engineering costs incurred to date, totaling approximately $400,000.

Mayor Jacqueline Wells said she still supports the project despite the rising costs because the pedestrian underpass has the potential to save lives. Additionally, Mayor Wells said she did not want to lose the money the city has already spent.

Councilman Steve Sanger asked how WYDOT could have gotten the estimated cost of the pedestrian underpass so wrong. Public Works Director Cody Dill said the state agency was also surprised by how much the project is expected to cost.

Councilman Sanger said he is reluctant to continue supporting the project since the city’s contribution has increased to ten times the original price.

Following an extended discussion on the inaccuracy of WYDOT’s original estimate, the Rawlins City Council reaffirmed its commitment to the project. However, if the October bids match or exceed the previous round, the Council may reconsider its involvement.