Novemeber 19, 2025 |

The Town of Saratoga is moving ahead with plans for a state‑funded walkway connecting the high school and community center.

In October of 2022, the Saratoga Planning Commission received a $200,000 Wyoming Department of Transportation grant to study potential improvements to the town’s sidewalks and pathways. The Commission used the money to hire Denver-based OV Consulting to design a transportation master plan.

Through a series of public meetings and in-person tours of the town, OV Consulting identified 11 walkway improvement projects, including a new path between the schools and library on Elm Avenue and additional crosswalks along the highway. The proposed projects were compiled into the Saratoga Transportation Alternatives Master Plan, or STAMP.

The governing body chose to focus on the Elm Avenue sidewalk project. During the November 4th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner announced that WYDOT is prepared to award the town a $1,444,760 Transportation Alternatives Program, or TAPS, grant.

Penner said that the grant agreement gives the town until December 31st, 2028, to complete the project, adding that the job will likely be finished ahead of the deadline.

WYDOT has agreed to fund 90.49% of the total $1,584,440 project cost, leaving the town to cover the remaining 9.51%. The money will be used to construct a 2,600‑foot‑long, six‑foot‑wide, Americans with Disabilities Act‑compliant concrete walking path between Saratoga Middle High School and the intersection of West Elm Avenue and South 3rd Street. Additionally, 1,500 square yards of asphalt will be used to improve the bus drop‑off lane at Saratoga Elementary School.

According to documents provided by the town, the walkway is intended to improve safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, while also increasing access to the downtown shopping district.

Speaking at the November 4th meeting, Public Works Director Penner said he and the Planning Commission are prepared to begin soliciting an engineering firm for the project.

The Saratoga Town Council voted to authorize Mayor Chuck Davis to sign the WYDOT TAPS grant agreement.

The post Saratoga Moves Forward with Walkway first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.