WYDOT seeks input from residents on funding priorities for next 25 years

CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Department of Transportation is nearly done with creation of its 25-year Long Range Transportation Plan, which takes public feedback to outline its top priorities for the next quarter-century.

As the agency continues to take public feedback, it is also informing the public of potential funding challenges and asking for input on how to use its funding to best meet the needs of Wyoming residents, as well as potential avenues to increase its revenue.

Because of increasing fuel efficiency, increasing construction costs and a stagnant gas tax revenue, WYDOT estimates an annual funding gap of $200 million.

Over the last decade, WYDOT’s construction costs have increased 42%, and its primary revenue sources have remained relatively flat.

Wyoming has not increased its state fuel tax since 2014, when it went from 14 cents to 24 cents per gallon. The number of vehicles registered in the state has decreased over time, and there is a cap on how much the agency can receive from mineral royalties and severance tax.

However, WYDOT is expected to receive additional funds beginning in October 2026 after House Bill 33 was passed by the Wyoming Legislature earlier this year. It provides around $70 million in additional transportation revenue due to the transfer of sales and use tax on vehicles and trailers to the highway fund.

This year, WYDOT is expected to receive $818.2 million from its revenue sources; 57.4%, or $469.4 million, of that goes toward the highway improvement program, which uses 70% federal dollars and the remaining 30% from the state.

The other biggest expenditures include 15.4%, or $129.9 million, for maintenance and operations, and 6.6%, or $53.7 million, allocated for law enforcement expenses.

As part of this long-range plan, WYDOT is asking the public and industry stakeholders how they should balance budget challenges with Wyoming’s priorities.

There is an online survey available until Aug. 9 at wydotlrtp.com/meeting2, and feedback is accepted by email, mail or phone calls, as well. The email address is connect@ WYDOTLRTP.com, and the U.S. mail address is WYDOT Headquarters, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009-3340.

The survey asks participants to rank their preference on where the transportation agency should invest, including things like maintaining pavement, replacing bridges, public transit and new roads.

It also asks in what ways Wyoming residents would consider contributing to fill the funding gap, including options like increasing the fuel tax rate, increasing the vehicle registration fee or implementing a mileage- based user fee.