As fuel prices increase, safe and direct walking trails are even more important, according to Leah Reeb, a planner for the Metropolitan Planning Office.

A walkability study for the City of Casper is in the works, almost ready for the city council to review before going to the public for comment. But, Reeb said, Casperites may already start noticing differences.

The city's parks department finished connecting the Platte River Parkway to Beverly Street, said Parks Director David Hough. It is also almost done with an asphalt path on K Street near the Boys and Girls Club and one connecting the new hotels south of the Events Center to the Three Trails Center.

A trail connecting Mike Sedar Park with Yesness Park is nearly finished, allowing people to walk on trails and sidewalks from Poplar Street to Wyoming Boulevard.

Those projects were completed using $200,000 from the city budget.

The city will also work on trail and sidewalk maintenance and other amenities, such as bike racks.

The public will have roughly 30 days to comment on the plan before it goes back to the city council for final approval.

It's not just Casper that may see improvements in its sidewalks and trails. Reeb said a plan to work on the highway from Poplar Street to the Natrona County International Airport will be open for public comment soon.

The plan is to work on both the aesthetics of U.S. Highway 20/26 and its safety. Many of the neighborhoods near the highway don't have sidewalks, Reeb said, creating an environment where more people are walking in the streets to get to the bus stop or grocery store.

Reeb said it's also important to help improve the aesthetics of the highway since it is one of the main gateways into Casper and often helps form a visitor's first impression.

After a public comment period, the plan will go before the Metropolitan Planning Office policy committee for approval. The committee includes representatives from the surrounding municipalities, as well as the state and federal government.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com

For more information

Contact Leah Reeb with the Metropolitan Planning Office for more information about the walkability study or plans for Highway 20/26 at (307) 235-8255.