Lincoln County Commissioner Mel Shumway spoke to SVI and provided  information on several county efforts that have been finished or are ongoing.

Strawberry Road Project

Many years in the making, the road was moved to help improve sight lines on U.S. 89 through the Narrows. The project opened fully in the final months of 2025.

“We’ve approved the final plat the new easement,” Shumway said. “It was completed on schedule and it’s a great enhancement to the safety down on that corner. It extends the sight line on that road. The roads are not getting any less busy so projects like this will continue to enhance safety in the county. It’s been a long process but it’s been a good one.”

New district courthouse

A recent “Topping Out” ceremony took place on the addition to the Lincoln County Justice Center with the final steel work being put in place. The project is designed to modernize the process of prisoners appearing in court with security and technology in mind.

“The work is on schedule for the Justice Center addition,” Shumway stated. “The anticipated completion is July of this year. Most folks know that construction costs have increased in the last few years. But they’ve really put their heads together to try and cut costs where they can. The main thing is we wanted it to look nice but security is the top priority. We were able to save a few costs without impacting security.”

IDAWY

The collaboration of several counties in the region in two states to tackle their garbage problem is ongoing. The IDAWY Solid Waste District includes Lincoln County in Wyoming as well as Bear Lake, Oneida and Caribou counties in Idaho.

“Landfills and transfer stations are very costly to operate,” Shumway noted. “There is a huge demand for capacity for all of those counties involved. It’s kind of a unique district with multiple counties and states. The regional pit will be located  between the Georgetown hill and Soda Springs. The pit is dug and they are waiting to put the liner down. Anticipation is to start hauling mid to late summer of next year.”

Shumway also provided an update on the Thayne station.

“The foundation is done and the building is on site,” he continued. “The plan was to pull the crew and send them to Idaho. But with this mild winter we are ahead of schedule. So that will be nice to get that done.”

Criterium and TriSight

Both companies are working with the county to create business opportunities and products but are still in the early phases of the process. Shumway said that the “ball is in their court” in terms of the process of working with land owners to be involved with a Service Improvement District.

“It’s crucial to get infrastructure on the ground to help mid-level industry get off the ground,” Shumway concluded. Find the full interview at svinews.com/radio.