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WYDOT Will Again Address Revenue Sources With Legislature

WYDOT

The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) will be meeting with the legislature's Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Committee this week.

WYDOT Director Luke Reiner said a primary focus from his department will be on new sources of revenue.

"I don't think it's lost on anybody that WYDOT does not have the resources required to maintain the roads in the way we would like. So the question is, what's the way to raise some funds for WYDOT?" he said.

According to Reiner, with automobile and truck traffic down across the state, the department could stand to lose $15 million due to a loss in fuel tax revenue, WYDOT's main source of revenue.

One option they will discuss for alternative sources of revenue is a road user charge, Reiner said.

He added they also hope to address improvements to road safety.

"Certainly you always hear about a primary seatbelt [law], trying to reduce distracted driving and we always talk about a reduction of speed. And then some other ideas that were floated, like maybe over-the-road truckers coming to Wyoming during the wintertime should be certified to drive on the roads," Reiner said.

WYDOT officials will also discuss statute updates with lawmakers and the department's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.The department has continued its construction projects during the pandemic and taken measures to protect workers and contractors.

That meeting will be held online on Thursday, May 21.

Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Catherine Wheeler, at cwheel11@uwyo.edu.

Catherine Wheeler comes to Wyoming from Kansas City, Missouri. She has worked at public media stations in Missouri and on the Vox podcast "Today, Explained." Catherine graduated from Fort Lewis College with a BA in English. She recently received her master in journalism from the University of Missouri. Catherine enjoys cooking, looming, reading and the outdoors.
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