The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Transportation Commission voted today to commit $700,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to the Teton County North Highway 89 Pathway project. The funding is in addition to the $300,000 in ARRA funds already allocated by WYDOT, bringing the transportation department's total contribution for the project to $1,000,000.

The North 89 Pathway Project will connect a multi-use non-motorized pathway between the Town of Jackson and the south boundary of Grand Teton National Park overlooking the National Elk Refuge. Phase I of the project will construct a pathway on the east side of Highway 89 between the Town of Jackson and the Grand Teton turnout north of the National Fish Hatchery, and Phase II will continue the pathway north from the turnout to the Gros Ventre River, meeting the approved Grand Teton National Park pathway system currently under design.

Jackson Hole Community Pathways, the joint Town of Jackson/Teton County program responsible for planning and construction of non-motorized facilities in Teton County plans to bid Phase I in July 2009, with construction starting in 2010. Pathways Coordinator Brian Schilling stated "WYDOT's commitment to this project is an enormous benefit for Teton County, both as a huge help to us in completing the pathway and providing a much needed boost for our local engineering and construction firms."

In addition to the ARRA funds from WYDOT, Jackson Hole Community Pathways previously was awarded $3,000,000 through the Federal Transit Administration Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands (ATPPL) grant program. The ARRA funds are available only for construction of Phase I, while the ATPPL funds can be used for design and construction of the entire project.

"Design work on Phase I is nearly complete," Schilling said, "and represents the culmination of more than two years of coordination and teamwork between the Town of Jackson, Teton County, WYDOT, the National Elk Refuge, and Grand Teton National Park."

Tim Young, Executive Director of the non-profit Friends of Pathways added, "Today's award honors the steadfast support of US Senator Craig Thomas and Senator John Barrasso, and builds on years of community planning towards a balanced multi-modal transportation system. I am grateful for the support of the Transportation Commission today; the ARRA funds will help create jobs and serve Wyoming residents and visitors with healthy new options to experience some of America's greatest public lands."