In summer, traffic in Jackson Hole is a lot like the weather. Everyone talks about it, but it seems like no one does anything about it. This summer will bring changes to traffic in Jackson Hole.
Consider:
- As usual, tourism will generate millions of visitors to Teton County, creating traffic congestion to and from, as well as in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), in town, on Highway 22 and elsewhere.
- Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) will begin its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of Highway 22, analyzing traffic loads, congestion and other challenges to the Wilson Corridor and their proposed solutions. This process is projected to take two years.
- Construction activity on the new Wilson Bridge over the Snake River will generate traffic congestion on HWY22 in and out of Wilson and the Pass during certain times of the day.
The Conservation Alliance recently held a series of meetings with the Town Council and County Commissioners, Teton County Transportation management, the Teton Transportation Coalition, as well as two well-attended public forums in town and at the Old Wilson School House.
The purpose of these meetings was to present the Conservation Alliance’s multi-year study of transportation congestion challenges on HWY22 and to present a series of potential solutions to address those challenges. The report, developed by nationally recognized sustainable transportation planners and consultants, Nelson Nygaard, formed the basis for these meetings.
View The report and recommendations here. For a .pdf copy email maria@jhalliance.org. As you read through the report and its recommendations, one thing is clear. It will take a multi-faceted approach to HWY22’s traffic challenges to create a sustainable, long-term solution. Merely adding new traffic lanes won’t solve the problem. Our modeling showed that a new lane on HWY 22 would only alleviate traffic congestion for 3-5 years before experiencing the same or worse traffic we have today.
Some of the solutions cited in the report include:
- Greater utilization of transit.
- Increased utilization of ride sharing and van pooling.
- Greater utilization of pathways.
- Traffic and parking management in Town.
- Staggered business hours to reduce peak traffic periods.
Generating the solutions that will protect and preserve wildlife, and produce long term solutions will require community awareness, knowledge, and a coalition of informed voices. At the Alliance, we will work hard to keep you informed of the ways Teton County will be addressing transportation and traffic this summer and beyond.
Watch last weeks presentation at the Old Wilson schoolhouse here
