Construction work is coming to the west side of Powell this summer. 

The Wyoming Department of Transportation has scheduled mill and overlay work on U.S. Highway 14A between Blair’s and Ralston, which will also include necessary ADA improvements as needed and a change in the entrance to Albertsons meant to improve traffic flow. 

WYDOT officials converged on the county courthouse for the annual STIP meeting at Tuesday’s Park County commissioners meeting, updating the public on projects in the works and those planned, as well as soliciting input on other issues. 

One major theme was a shortage of funds to do what the department would like to do. WYDOT District Construction Engineer Randy Merritt said the department’s funding has been relatively flat, while costs have risen. 

“The bottom line is we don't get as much for our dollar,” he said.  

Still, there are many projects in the works. In addition to the work in Powell, the Freedom Street pedestrian crosswalk across Big Horn Avenue in Cody is slated to be done this summer to be ready ahead of next school year — the project is roughly a year behind schedule, Cody Public Works Director Philip Bowman said, because of issues with acquiring easements. 

WYDOT is also planning on painting a turn lane on U.S. Highway 14A by the trout ranch east of Cody to create a turn lane. 

One project that has been discussed in Powell will remain on the back burner, however: lowering the speed limit around the Albertsons on U.S. Highway 14A. 

District Engineer Pete Hallsten said that area has been under observation by WYDOT a lot recently, and speeds have been monitored, but at this time it does not warrant a speed change. 

“We’ll continue to keep an eye on that,” he said.