May 23, 2024 |
Photo – Overhead image of area for pedestrian tube – Courtesy Google Maps
In Rawlins, work is progressing slowly on two state funded transportation projects. The Rawlins Urban Systems Committee collaborates with the state and the county on transportation improvement projects. Currently, the board is working with WYDOT to build a pedestrian underpass at North Higley Boulevard, where it intersects with Harshman Street and Aberdeen Boulevard. The city council approved the project in September of 2021.
The tunnel 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.
During Tuesday’s Rawlins city council meeting, Councilman Darril Garner, who is the council liaison to the Urban Systems Committee, provided an update on the board’s activities. Councilman Garner said this summer, a geologist will perform a study on the local groundwater to determine if a pumping system will be needed to keep the pedestrian underpass from flooding.
While construction of the underpass is going on, Councilman Garner said WYDOT will leave an open lane of travel on the highway. The councilman said shutting down North Higley Boulevard will negatively impact the delivery of wind turbine parts to project sites in the area.
Urban Systems Committee Chairwoman Judy Dixon was on hand to deliver the board’s yearly update to the city council. Dixon said the Urban Systems Committee receives $140,000 a year from the state. The board chairwoman said the money may be spent on small projects or saved for bigger jobs.
Dixon said the state has recently increased its contribution to the Urban Systems Committee to $155,000 a year. The board chairwoman said the Urban Systems Committee has been saving money for a long time. Dixon said depending on what the geologist finds, they might have enough money to begin the North Higley Boulevard pedestrian underpass project.
Dixon said the Rawlins Urban Systems Committee has $1.9 million saved up. She said WYDOT confirmed that the amount should cover the cost of the pedestrian underpass.
Dixon said the Urban Systems Committee has identified another project in the city. The board chairwoman said the 6th Street Bridge, which crosses over the Union Pacific railroad tracks, needs to be repaired. Dixon said WYDOT will pay for the bulk of the $2 million project.
Dixon said she’ll have more information about the 6th Street Bridge repairs at a later date. The Urban Systems Committee chairwoman said work on the North Higley Boulevard pedestrian underpass should begin next year.
