JEFF GEARINO Southwest Wyoming bureau | Posted: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 12:00 am
GREEN RIVER - City officials want to buy about 130 acres of Bureau of Land Management land just east of Green River as part of a proposal to construct a new access road to neighboring Rock Springs.
The new access road would roughly follow the remnants of the old Lincoln Highway that used to run between the two cities, according to plans.
Green River officials said the new road could help alleviate growing traffic congestion along Interstate 80, the state's busiest highway, that has come, in part, from the energy boom in southwest Wyoming.
A new access road would increase highway safety and ensure access to medical care for city residents, officials said. The road would provide access to emergency vehicles and other traffic when the highway is closed due to bad weather and accidents.
Green River officials also said acquiring the land could help meet the city's need for more housing due to the increased energy development.
A bill written by Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., that would convey the 132 acres of BLM land passed the Senate last week.
For more of this and other stories read Wednesday's Casper Star-Tribune.