Ultimate Interstates:Wyoming
This is a proposal to add 2 additional auxiliary interstates in southeastern Wyoming. This plan would reduce interstate backtrack and plan for future growth in both the Cheyenne metro area and southeastern wyoming. this would also provide an alternate interstate routing for use during adverse weather conditions along I-80 through Laramie. Additionally relinquishment of unneeded interstate routes would help promote better continuity with the overall interstate system.
Ultimate Interstate 280
Ultimate Interstate 280 is an interstate highway corridor that would connect I-80 near Rawlins, WY with I-25 near Casper, WY by constructing a new interstate to connect I-80 and Rawlins via US-287 and WY-220.
Ultimate Interstate 425
Ultimate Interstate 425 is an interstate highway loop that would travel around the eastern side of the Cheyenne metro area in order to promote and plan for growth of the city to the north and east. It would also serve as a bypass for traffic heading from I-25 to I-80 east and vice versa. This highway could be known as the "Capital Loop" freeway. Ultimate Interstate 225 - Capital Loop Description Ultimate interstate 225 would construct a new interstate loop to the east of I-25 encircling the east side of Cheyenne. Purpose and Need Potential future growthalong the corridor. Corridor preservation depending on growth in the metro area.
Relinquishment of Interstate 180
This proposal would move for the deletion and relinquishment of the Interstate 180 designation in Cheyenne Wyoming. This routing is not designed to freeway standards and is instead a surface boulevard with signalized intersections. Due to the route already having the designations of US-85, US Business Route 87 and Interstate Business Loop 25, the I-180 designation is unnecessary and redundant. This route is also part of the national highway system on its own without needing to be designated as a full interstate. In respect interstate system requirements the route should be decommissioned. If WyoDOT desires to keep the designation then a move to grade separate the two cross intersections and upgrade the interchange at I-80 must be completed.
Purpose and Need
The route would help with Potential future growth along the corridor. Reduce interstate backtrack miles by creating a new corridor between Rawlins and Casper and provide for corridor preservation depending on growth in the regional and metropolitan areas. Traffic studies should be considered to determine viability of these corridors plan for corridor preservation.
Alternate Routing
There are no alternate routings proposed
Plausibility
Are these designations truly needed? That is debatable, however many other cities across the country have gone out of their way to secure interstate routes that direct interstate traffic to their cities for the purpose of spurring economic growth. It is entirely plausible that these designations could happen but that isn't highly likely. Corridor preservation efforts as a result of this effort should be considered. It is also unlikely that I-180 will ever be upgraded to full freeway standards and will continue to remain the non-conforming anomaly that it is.