On December 13, the Wyoming Department of Transportation announced that it is set to obtain over $26.6 million from the 2023-2024 federal Rural Surface Transportation Grant. This funding will be utilized for the construction of approximately 365 truck parking spaces along Interstate 80 in Evanston.
“This is a crucial project for Wyoming. It’s an investment in our road infrastructure that will help address pedestrian and vehicle safety hazards that occur when winter weather forces the closure of I-80,” Governor Mark Gordon said. “Importantly, it will alleviate the impacts to the community caused by hundreds of tractor-trailers seeking somewhere safe to park.”
Given its close proximity to the Utah state border, Evanston experiences a high influx of commercial vehicles and traffic, especially during extended closures of Interstate 80. Such situations place considerable stress on local resources, street parking, and overall infrastructure. Evanston is situated near the southwest corner of the state, approximately 83 miles away from Salt Lake City.
The construction of the parking area is anticipated to commence in the spring of 2026, contingent upon factors such as design timing, project letting schedule, and other potential scheduling considerations. The department estimates the total project cost to be around $33.3 million.
“Truck parking continues to be one of the highest priorities for both truck drivers and motor carriers,” said Sheila Foertsch, president and CEO of the Wyoming Trucking Association. “Safe, well-lit, accessible parking makes the nation’s highway system safer.”
In addition to offering a secure haven during Wyoming’s notorious winter conditions, Foertsch emphasized the vital role of the parking spaces in the industry. They serve as a crucial location for drivers to fulfill their mandatory hours of service breaks.
This marks the third competitive federal grant that WYDOT has secured in 2023, a fact that WYDOT Director Darin Westby highlighted as a source of great pride for the state.
“This is just another example of how hard the people of WYDOT work to make use of any available resources for the betterment of Wyoming’s transportation systems and the residents, tourists, and commercial drivers who use them every day,” Westby said. “We appreciate the support from the Governor’s office and the Uinta County Senior Citizens Board, both of which were integral to us receiving these federal funds.”
The Uinta County Senior Citizens Board has pledged to offer on-demand transit service to the truck parking areas, once they are built. This service aims to assist in controlling truck congestion and facilitating truck drivers in accessing essential services.
The project has garnered formal and public support from various entities, including the Wyoming Association of General Contractors, Wyoming Trucking Association, City of Evanston, Uinta County, and U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis.
With this latest grant, WYDOT has successfully applied for and received a cumulative total of around $64.2 million in competitive federal grants in 2023.
