Pathway delay — Cost estimates delay US 16 pathway project

Newcastle has delayed the U.S. Highway 16 pathway project after the project cost increased, putting more financial responsibility on the city and creating concerns for the city’s ability to meet an application deadline for a grant to fund the work. 

On June 16, Greg Stumpff, public works supervisor, told the City Council that moving forward with the Highway 16 pathway project that would connect the west end of the community to the existing bike path network “has become quite difficult.” 

“Just to inform you, with the new requirements WYDOT has for the project after their first reviews has already increased the project over $300,000,” he said. 

He noted that the estimated cost is now $1.3 million and that the city is responsible for anything over the $1 million because that is all the grant covers. 

“Anything over $1 million we have to pay out of our own pocket plus our match funds, which would be $100,000,” Stumpff said. “So we are looking around $400,000 right now.” 

In addition to the cost, he said that the deadline for the grant applications is July 15 and without approval of finalized plans, the city is unlikely to get the grant. 

He noted that WYDOT is trying to get it done but that he does not see the completion happening by July 15. 

“They were supposed to have the plans done (in) September last year,” Stumpff said. 

Stumpff later told the News Letter Journal that WYDOT was involved with the project because the planned pathway is on a Wyoming Department of Transportation right of way. 

In response to the WYDOT delay and the increased cost, he suggested that the city move on to another project in the city’s master plan, a pathway project on South Summit Avenue. 

According to Stumpff, the South Summit pathway is 2,300 feet long and does not have an easement with WYDOT. The postponed Highway 16 project was 4,100 feet. 

“We have, I think, eight driveways to cross on this one; the one on Highway 16, I think there were 22 driveways to cross,” Stumpff said. “So, I think we can afford this project in like 27 or 28 if we want to move forward with the engineering and hold off on the Morrissey Road pathway until a later date when we have time or money to fund our portion.” 

The project, he later told the News Letter Journal, would be along South Summit Avenue between Duff Avenue and U.S. Highway 85. 

The South Summit path project is part of the pathway master plan for the city, and in recent years, Stumpff said, the city has completed the pathway section from the Newcastle Elementary School property to South Summit along Duff. He noted that the project was stopped at South Summit because of needed road work and a failing water system. 

“To address the road work, we have made a request to WYDOT during the county’s CRIP project of Old Hwy 85, which is planned for 2027, to have the city portion of South Summit Avenue mill and overlay addressing the road issue,” Stumpff said, noting that the water line was replaced in 2022. 

With those two projects complete, the city would be able to move forward with the pathway project “in the near future” to complete an additional pathway loop around Gray Addition. By completing the engineering, Stumpff said the city will be ready to apply for funding after the street improvements are complete, setting this project up for success. 

During the council meeting, Stumpff told the board that the project will likely be scheduled for the 2028 construction season.

As for the Highway 16 project, Stumpff said, the project will still be a priority for the city. 

“The Highway 16 pathway project is an important project, but with other general fund projects planned, the city currently does not have the extra funds to commit to the Highway 16 pathway project,” Stumpff said in an email, adding that the city plans to complete the project when funding is available.