March 8, 2024 |
Photo – WYDOT logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Rawlins city council votes to support the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s federal grant application.
During Tuesday’s Rawlins city council meeting, the council members voted to sign a letter of support for WYDOT’s Winter Truck Parking Action Plan. Mayor Terry Weickum explained that WYDOT is applying for a grant to investigate where additional heavy truck parking should be constructed along the state’s highways.
WYDOT has applied for a competitive Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE, grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, potential RAISE projects are evaluated based on criteria such as safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility, economic competitiveness, and innovation.
WYDOT Deputy Public Affairs Officer Jordan Young said her agency is competing with other entities across the country for a portion of the $1.5 billion grant. Young said WYDOT has requested the backing of communities along the state’s major roadways to increase its chances of being selected to receive the federal money.
If WYDOT is awarded a RAISE grant, Young said the money will be used to perform a comprehensive study of where additional truck parking is needed along Wyoming’s three interstates. The WYDOT public relations officer said large trucks need a safe out-of-the-way place to wait when the roads close.
Young said wind, snow, and ice aren’t the only reasons truckers need a place to park. She said additional parking areas will allow over-the-road drivers to take their scheduled breaks away from major roadways and towns.
Young said the competitive nature of the RAISE grant means WYDOT isn’t guaranteed to receive any federal money to perform the Winter Truck Parking Action Plan. However, if WYDOT is selected, Young said the parking study isn’t expected to be completed for several years.
Young said WYDOT has officially submitted its RAISE grant application.
Grant recipients are expected to be announced no later than June 27th of this year.
