PROPOSED TRIBAL TRAIL CONNECTOR ROADWAY (TTCR)

The Teton County Integrated Transportation Plan proposes a new roadway (about 1/2 mile in length) that connects the Indian Trails/ Cottonwood Park neighborhoods to Highway 22. The project is identified in the Comprehensive Plan, and the County and WYDOT own most, or all the right of way needed to build the new roadway. Teton County is currently studying options for this roadway, including a range of potential intersection options to connect the roadway to the highly congested Highway 22.

The ITP states several benefits of the Tribal Trail Connector, which require further consideration and analysis.

• Improved local and regional connectivity: While the TTCR would reduce the distance between this low-density collection of neighborhoods in South Jackson and points west on WY-22 or the West Bank, the average distance of travel saved ranges around 1 mile. The ITP states that the project is intended to improve connectivity, but also indicates that it has a regional connectivity intent. This recognizes that the roadway is likely to be used for cut through traffic during congested periods.

• Removal of some local traffic from the "Y" intersection: While redundancy can be beneficial in the case of an incident, modeling shows that inclusion of the Tribal Trail Connector roadway increases overall traffic volumes on WY-22 west of the new connection and does little to reduce volumes at the "Y" intersection.

• Direct routing for START bus services connecting South Park neighborhoods to the West Bank & Teton Village: Current transit demands between South Park and points west are limited. This connection could have future value for transit, but significant development at transit supportive densities would be needed to support scheduled fixed route service. When supportive densities are realized, START and the Teton County could consider a transitonly roadway adjacent to the pathway; this would require a lesser footprint and support ITP targets to increase cycling and transit mode share.

The ITP does not address the potential safety impacts of the TTCR. Jackson schools are located along the two streets that would feed this connection from US-89.