Wyoming Department of Transportation gives annual STIP update

WYDOT staff came before the Big Horn County Commissioners on July 1 in regard to the annual State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

Pete Halsten, District Engineer at WYDOT, told the commission the meeting was designed to get public input. 

“The good news is we are going to be back in January (2026). We are changing how we do our public input for STIP,” Halsten said. “The way we balance our STIP is, we get budget numbers in March or April. Then we get together in April, and we can populate the last year of our STIP. STIP is our six-year budget for construction jobs. Each year we get to add a year to it.”

He continued that, depending on whether they gain or lose money within the six years, they may have to move jobs back. They also factor in if the cost of the jobs has gotten more expensive. 

Halsten referred to a comment made by the mayor of Frannie at last year’s STIP. The mayor expressed concerns over an approach not draining properly. WYDOT did fix the issue.

An update was given on the Commission Road Improvement Project (CRIP). The roads in this project are Golf Course Road, Cannery Road and Foster Gulch Road. 

Also mentioned was the chip seal overlay between Basin and Greybull (U.S. Highway 16/20) that was just finished. They also put pipes in where the Greybull River ties into the Big Horn River. This should help with flooding on that road. 

Other 2025 projects included a Cowley pavement rehabilitation and transportation funds for the two senior centers. 

WYDOT’s District Construction Engineer Randy Merritt shared that WYDOT has grant opportunities. Information may be found on their website at www.dot.state.wy.us.