Just under a year ago, nine Wyoming rest stops were shut down by Governor Mark Gordon in cost-cutting moves due to declining state revenues and the COVID-19 shutdown. One of those stops included one on U.S. 89 just south of Thayne.
According to the Governor’s office, those same nine stops will be re-opened later this month.
Gordon authorized funding to reopen the nine rest stops ahead of the Memorial Day Weekend holiday, according to a statement from his office. The rest stops will remain open at least through this year’s tourism season.
According to statement from Gordon, this is still a temporary move.
“With the summer season just around the corner, I’m glad we will be able to reopen these facilities to travelers,” Gordon said. “We are glad to have this chance to find a temporary solution.”
According to WYDOT, the rest area closures were calculated to save WYDOT approximately $197,453 from June 15 through Sept. 30 (the end of WYDOT’s fiscal year). Last year’s information stated that the department will save about $789,812 per year, by having the rest areas closed.
Star Valley residents responded to the closures as part of the Text-In Topic during the Weekday Wakeup morning show on Swift 98 with the majority of those expressing disappointment or anger at the closure.
The nine rest areas are:
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- Lusk on U.S. Highway 18
- Guernsey on U.S. Highway 26
- Greybull on U.S. Highway 16
- Moorcroft on Interstate 90
- Star Valley on U.S. Highway 89
- Sundance on Interstate 25
- Upton on U.S. Highway 16
- Orin Jct on I-25
- Chugwater on I-25
