Statement of Purpose

It is getting harder to get around Jackson Hole every year, for people and wildlife. Traffic congestion on Wyoming State Route 22 (WY-22) has increased significantly in recent years, affecting the lives of many workers forced into long commutes by high local housing costs and threatening wild animals with whom we share the valley. The lack of alternatives, particularly for longer trips, keeps people driving and results in more congestion.

Jackson Hole' transportation challenges result from growth pressures from many sources:

• Population growth

• Growth in tourism and visitation—still our largest 'industry'— resulting in significant seasonal traffic volume increases

• Growth of "exurbia"—workers forced to move out of Jackson proper immediate surrounding and move to outlying areas— cause rapidly increasing home pricing in Teton County

These pressures impact every aspect of life in Jackson, including wildlife, wild character and natural surroundings that the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance (the Alliance) exists to protect.

The Alliance commissioned a comprehensive assessment of transportation challenges and potential solutions for our valley by nationally acclaimed traffic engineers, Nelson\Nygaard, specialists in sustainable, community-based transportation solutions. This exhaustive process utilized technical analysis and stakeholder conversations (including with members of the Teton Transportation Coalition) to develop transportation solutions that are both ecologically responsible and sufficiently effective to meet the needs of our community.

The purpose of this report is to provide community members and elected officials with a discussion of options and recommendations that will both mitigate our traffic problems and minimize the negative impacts on wildlife and rural character of Jackson Hole's western valley. The options explored in this report include both increases in paved surface and lanes of traffic, as well as variations that rely primarily on other methods of mitigating the increased traffic volumes.

We believe a phased approach is the best approach. First, we should exercise those mitigation strategies, as detailed in the report, that will improve traffic outcomes without additional lanes. Then, let's see what additional lanes are necessary, if any.

Our six-point proposal is outlined in detail in the following pages and we hope it will provoke a robust community discussion. An informed, united community is our best chance to obtain an optimal outcome, working with WYDOT. We encourage your active participation in the discussion.

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