Dennis Byrne

This document outlines Wyoming's Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Implementation Plan for fiscal year 2026. Developed in response to the state not meeting prior safety performance targets, the plan details a data-driven approach to achieve a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on public roads. Key strategies include leveraging the Safety Portal for historical and predictive crash analysis, implementing a systematic safety planning process for project evaluation and prioritization, allocating HSIP funds effectively, and supporting behavioral safety programs. The plan aims to assist the State in making significant progress toward meeting its annual safety performance targets.

The Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) for the Wyoming Department of Transportation aims to achieve 'Towards Zero Deaths' by reducing the frequency and severity of crashes on Wyoming roadways. This multi-year plan identifies key emphasis areas such as lane or road departure crashes, use of safety restraints, impaired driving, speeding, curve crashes, and young drivers. It also addresses focus areas including intersections, active transportation, distracted driving, icy/snowy roads, commercial motor vehicles, motorcycles, older drivers, wildlife, and work zone safety. The plan utilizes data-driven strategies across enforcement, engineering, education, and emergency medical services to enhance safety for all road users.

The meeting, held over two days, included several reports and actions. The Highway Patrol Report detailed fatal crash statistics for 2025, including breakdowns by drug/alcohol involvement, restraint usage, location, and time of day. The Aeronautics Report covered expected record-breaking passenger numbers for 2025, issues affecting small communities, testimony regarding the Capacity Purchase Agreement funding, and staffing updates. The Support Services Report addressed challenges with printing rodeo license plates and the discontinuation of tribal license plates due to sales requirements. The Chief Technology Officer's Report covered blowover data, lower WyoLink traffic, and a major 911 outage in northwest Wyoming. The Commission also reviewed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Numbers and discretionary programs. Business discussions included adopting amended Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order for an Access Review Committee Appeal, establishing a STIP subcommittee, approving First Quarter Budget Modifications for Fiscal Year 2026 (including programming carryover into the Facilities Improvement Plan), and receiving reports from the Director, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Engineer. The Engineering and Planning Report led to the unanimous approval of contracts for several federal projects, including bridge replacements and road widening/overlay projects, awarded to Reiman Corp., McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., Avail Valley Construction-WY, LLC, and S&S Builders, LLC. The Commission also approved the January 2026 STIP Addendum.

The meeting covered administrative matters where the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order regarding the November 2025 ARC Appeal was tabled until the January 2026 meeting to allow for updates on site distances and separation distances. The Highway Patrol Report provided a detailed summary of fatal crashes through November 30, 2025, noting 111 deaths across 101 crashes, including statistics on drug/alcohol involvement, restraint usage, and crash locations/times. The Aeronautics Report noted an $18.4 million exception request made to the Governor's office to support the Capacity Purchase Agreement. The Director's Report mentioned staff monitoring local sales tax efforts and WYDOT/WHP involvement in Capitol security conversations. The Chief Engineer's Report included the unanimous approval of a change order for bridge rehabilitation in District Four amounting to $960,303.00. Several federal and state projects were reviewed, resulting in the unanimous awarding of contracts for I-25 reconstruction, mill and overlay on US 16, pedestrian underpass installation in Rawlins, bridge replacement in Johnson County, electrical/ADA upgrades in Jackson, stockpiling in District 5, and bridge rehabilitation projects on I-25 and WYO 211. The December 2025 STIP Addendum was also approved.

The meeting included committee reports and several key actions. The Support Services Report detailed personnel statistics and discussed the conversion of nine temporary positions to At-Will Employment Contract (AWEC) positions to meet agency demands. The Aeronautics Report covered FAA air traffic control reform, staffing needs, and the end of the TSA requirement for removing shoes during screening. The Highway Patrol Report presented the Fatal Crash Summary through June 30, 2025, including statistics on causes, location, and time of day for fatal crashes, and noted the hiring of a new Public Information Officer. The Chief Technology Officer's Report mentioned webcam replacements and progress on the four-year state 911 plan. Financially, the Commission approved Third Quarter Budget Modifications and awarded several procurement service bids for telephony services, network security services, and light kits for trucks. The Chief Engineer's Report included a presentation on proposed ORV routes, concerns about which were noted pending final ORV rule approval. Contracts were awarded for wildlife crossing installations, repair of the Green River tunnel, bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects, pipe lining on WYO 70, lighting upgrades in Rock Springs, and erosion control near Dubois. The July 2025 STIP Addendum was also approved.