Old wagons and buildings in Cody
©WYDOT/Rick Carpenter
Corridor 7
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Thermopolis
to US 310
WYO 120/US 14A
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Meeteetse
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Powell*
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Intercity Bus Route
Designated Bike Route
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BLM
W A S H A K I E
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Primary Airport
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To
Lovell
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Greyhound Stations
Local Service
Urban Area
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GOALS
Economic Sustainability
Safety
CORRIDOR CHARACTERISTICS
Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis is
major tourist attraction
Tourism/travel/recreation important
economically
Connects agricultural communities
Wildlife/vehicle crashes are problematic
throughout
Congestion
Public Transportation
Aviation
PRIMARY INVESTMENT TYPE: SYSTEM PRESERVATION
The primary investment need on this corridor is to preserve the existing system, especially roadway surface conditions.
While relatively high AADT is observed on the section between Cody and Powell, current capacity will remain sufficient
for the foreseeable future. Mobility improvements for public transportation to enhance shorter distance intercity travel,
especially for work trips and services, could help reduce roadway demand.
5
MILES
10
CORRIDOR 7
Thermopolis
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Byron
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Shoshoni
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Burlington
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STATE SIGNIFICANT
CORRIDOR
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Cody*
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Corridor Characteristics
Corridor Description
State Significant Corridor (SSC) 7 is 124 miles long. It follows WYO 120 northwest
from Thermopolis to Cody and then US 14A northeast from Cody and WYO 114
to its intersection with US 310. SSC 7 goes through the counties of Hot Springs,
Park, and Big Horn, all located in the north central part of Wyoming.
WYO 120 begins in Thermopolis at the US 20/WYO 789 intersection. Thermopolis
is a small western town with a population of approximately 3,200 people.
Thermopolis is renowned for its World’s Largest Mineral Hot Spring and beautiful
surroundings. Largely a tourism based economy, oil and gas, farming, ranching,
recreation and health care help supplement the economy of Thermopolis.
Heading northwest from Thermopolis, SSC 7 traverses the high plains of Wyoming
before entering Park County. Just north of the Park County line, WYO 120 serves
the town of Meeteetse. Meeteetse provides various summer and winter recreational
activities and provides convenient access to Cody (30 miles) and to the east entrance
of Yellowstone National Park (80 miles).
SSC 7 continues north until intersecting and joining US 14/US 16/US 20, known
locally as Greybull Highway, and briefly heads west until entering the city of Cody.
Cody is considered the preferred Gateway to Yellowstone National Park and
prides itself on being a small western town where real cowboys still herd cattle but
technology connects them to the global community. The economy in Cody is a mix
of energy, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.
Leaving Cody, WYO 120 heads northwest and SSC 7 heads northeast on US 14A,
through the city of Powell and WYO 114 to its intersection with SSC 8 and US 310.
7- 2
Thermopolis to US 310 | WYO 120/US 14A
Corridor 7
Environmental Context
SSC 7 begins in the town of
Thermopolis, which is home to the
World’s Largest Mineral Hot Springs.
Located in Hot Springs State Park
just west of WYO 120, more than
8,000 gallons flow per day at a
constant temperature of 135 degrees
Fahrenheit. The Wyoming Dinosaur
Center is also located in Thermopolis
and includes over 60 identified
dinosaur dig sites in a 500-acre area.
The Center is a world-class museum
with working dig sites.
North of Thermopolis, SSC 7
crosses Mud Creek, Owl Creek,
Cottonwood Creek, and Gooseberry
Creek, all tributaries to the Big Horn
River. Closer to Meeteetse, WYO
120 crosses the Greybull River, a
high-quality aquatic habitat. Invasive
species are a concern throughout
the basin.
The last known wild population of
black-footed ferrets in the U.S. was
discovered near Meeteetse in 1981.
All black-footed ferrets today are
descended from these animals.
Corridor Interests:
▪S
cenic Byway
▪C
ultural,
Paleontological, and
Historic Resources
WYO 120 passes to the north
through Cody, which is discussed in
more detail in SSC 6.
▪ V isual Resources
▪R
ecreation Management
SSC 7 continues northeast on US
14A by Heart Mountain. North
of Lovell, the Bureau of Land
Management oversees the Pryor
Mountain Wild Horse Range, home
to approximately 120 wild horses,
descended from the original
Spanish Mustangs.
▪ T ravel Management
▪W
ildlife Connectivity,
Habitat Fragmentation
▪ T hreatened and
Endangered Species
Big Horn Canyon National
Recreation Area, including Big Horn
Lake, is west of Lovell and discussed
in detail in SSC 8.
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT
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Meeteetse
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Thermopolis
Wyoming Dinosaur Center
Bighorn River
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W A S H A K I E
Outdoor Recreation
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Byron
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Lovell
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Burlington
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Boysen
State Park
Powell*
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Hot Springs
State Park
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BUREAU OF LAND
MANAGEMENT
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Cody*
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MILES
Outdoor Recreation
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The above map identifies issues and environmental constraints that form the basis for environmental review.
÷
Future projects in the corridor will take these A
and otherA
issues under consideration prior to final design.
î
WYO 120/US 14A | Thermopolis to US 310
7-3
Key Issues and Emerging Trends
Major Traffic Generators
▪ A gricultural traffic –
sugar beet industry
▪M
ineral production –
bentonite/gypsum
▪H
ot Springs State Park –
Thermopolis
▪O
ther tourism
destinations – Cody
7- 4
Thermopolis to US 310 | WYO 120/US 14A
Ñ Vehicle/wildlife conflicts are a key issue, especially large animals, such
as deer, that can cause serious crashes not only in collisions with the
wildlife, but also when vehicles try to avoid hitting them and hit other
objects or overturn.
ÑHigh numbers of traffic crashes north of Cody to Powell have been a
concern in the past. This is currently being addressed with a series of
major widening projects that should alleviate the problem. Similar safety
issues exist on WYO 170 and WYO 290.
ÑAgricultural equipment and trucks use WYO 120 and US 14A as an
integral part of their operations. These vehicles use general travel lanes,
but often at very slow speeds, sometimes affecting other traffic. Many
property owners require field access from highways.
Corridor 7
Goals & Strategies
Goals for the corridor represent issues communicated by participants in the planning
process. These goals lay groundwork for the development of a financially feasible multimodal transportation plan designed to support the planning, engineering, construction,
operation, and maintenance of the State’s transportation system.
By identifying broad goals that are both visionary and practical, and that respond to the
values of this region, the focus of future actions is readily identified. The goals are further
defined with specific supporting strategies to attain each goal. Supporting the agricultural
economy and improving safety emerged as key goals for the corridor.
Goals
Strategies
Support farm to market economic sustainability
Auxiliary lanes if warranted (passing, turn, accel/decel)
Reduce fatalities, injuries, and property damage crash rate
Safety - general improvements
Access management
Reduce traffic congestion and improve traffic flow
TDM strategies in major traffic generators
Intercity bus
Improve public transportation opportunities
Local transit services/operations
Ensure airport facility meets existing and projected
demands
Passenger air service
Primary Investment Type
System preservation – The primary investment need on this corridor is to preserve
the existing system, especially roadway surface conditions. While relatively high AADT is
observed on the section between Cody and Lovell, current capacity will remain sufficient for
the foreseeable future. Mobility improvements for public transportation to enhance shorter
distance intercity travel, especially for work trips and services, could help reduce roadway
demand.
WYO 120/US 14A | Thermopolis to US 310
7-5
Roadway Characteristics
The following maps identify conditions on the corridor with respect to surface condition, total traffic, truck traffic,
safety, and bridges. The data represent the most recent available and are subject to change over time as projects are
completed or other factors affect existing conditions. The system data play a big part in determining current operating
characteristics, the type of need, and the extent of improvements necessary to achieve corridor goals.
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PAVEMENT SURFACE CONDITION
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Powell*
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Lovell
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Byron
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B
W A S H A K I E
Poor
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Thermopolis
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Fair
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Burlington
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Shoshoni
Good
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Excellent
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SURFACE CONDITION
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Cody*
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Ä Thermopolis to Meeteetse. From Meeteetse to
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WY 120 is rated mostly good/excellent surface conditions from
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Cody, WY 120 is mostly rated fair to poor. From Cody to Powell alongA
US 14A the surface conditions are mostly
÷conditions are rated fair. From Powell northeast to the
rated excellent, with intermittent areas where the surfaceA
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junction with US 310 the surface conditions are rated mostly fair.
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AVERAGE ANNUAL DAILY TRAFFIC (AaDT)
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Powell*
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Thermopolis
W A S H A K I E
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To
Lovell
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Shoshoni
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Burlington
5,000 - 10,000
> 10,000
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2,500 - 5,000
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1,000 - 2,500
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< 1,000
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VEHICLES PER DAY
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Cody*
Meeteetse
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5
10
MILES
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The majority of SSC 7, from Thermopolis to Cody along WYO?
120, averages+
1,000 to 2,500 vehicles per day (vpd). Just
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÷ and then 5,000
A
northeast of Cody, along US 14A, the AADT increases to 2,500 to 5,000 vpd
to 10,000 vpd from just
÷
A
southwest of WYO 294 to Powell. From Powell to the junction
with US 310, US 14A carries less than 5,000 vpd.
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7- 6
Thermopolis to US 310 | WYO 120/US 14A
Corridor 7
AVERAGE ANNUAL DAILY TRUCK TRAFFIC (AADTT)
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Meeteetse
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Powell*
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To
Lovell
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W A S H A K I E
Byron
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Thermopolis
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1,000 - 2,500
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Burlington
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500 - 1,000
> 2,500
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Shoshoni
100 - 500
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< 100
A̧
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TRUCKS PER DAY
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Cody*
5
10
MILES
The majority of SSC 7, from Thermopolis to Cody along WY 120, averages approximately 100 to 500 trucks per day.
Just north of Cody, WY 120 becomes US 14A and continues northeast through Powell and on to its intersection with
US 310. The number of trucks on this stretch is 100 to 500 vpd.
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SAFETY INDEX
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Meeteetse
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A̧
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Powell*
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Thermopolis
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B
W A S H A K I E
G
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To
Lovell
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Shoshoni
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Burlington
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SAFETY INDEX GRADE
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Cody*
5
10
MILES
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The section of US 14A from Cody to Powell, approximately 25 ?
percent of the+
length, has a below average
»total corridor?
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Safety Index grade )
of D.
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DEFICIENT BRIDGES
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Cody*
Meeteetse
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A
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Powell*
¹
A
B
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H
O
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N
To
Lovell
0
A
W A S H A K I E
N
Thermopolis
N
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Byron
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Shoshoni
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Burlington
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Deficient Bridges
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BRIDGE STRUCTURES
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There are no deficient bridges directly on SSC 7; however, two bridges
near Cody
have been
» and Thermopolis
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÷ map window are
A
included in the Corridor Vision for SSC 6. All deficient bridges visible in the
displayed, regardless of
÷
A
designation as SSC, Regional, or Local Routes.
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WYO 120/US 14A | Thermopolis to US 310
7-7
Regional Reference Information
Regional Routes
Local Routes
None
Urban Areas
Cody and Powell are the only Urban
Areas along SSC 7. They have
populations of approximately 9,300
and 5,500 people respectively. These
urban areas are discussed in detail in
the Urban Corridors section later in
the document.
Local Route
County
From
To
WYO114
Park / Big Horn
US 14
WYO 789
WYO 170
Hot Springs
WYO 120
WYO 120 (Northwest)
WYO 171
Hot Springs
WYO 120
Grass Creek
WYO 290
Park
WYO 120
Southwest to Rd 5Xe
WYO 294
Park
US 14A
WYO 120
WYO 295
Park
WYO 32
North to Elk Basin
WYO 431
Hot Springs/Washakie
WYO 120
US 20/WYO 789
Source: Official State Highway Map of Wyoming
Intermodal Facilities
Intercity Bus Routes
Intercity bus service is available
on US 14A between Cody and
Lovell.
Class 1 Railroads
The BNSF Railway Company
operates a Class 1 rail line runs
in the corridor from Cody to
Garland.
Public Transportation Agencies
Provider Agency
Name
Annual
Passenger
Trips FY08
Type of Service
NOWCAP Foster
Grandparents Program
Thermopolis
Non-Profit - Demand
Response
2 Vehicle
10,737
Hot Springs County
Senior Citizens Center
Thermopolis
Non-Profit - Demand
Response
3 Vehicles
15,385
Meeteetse Recreation
District
Meeteetse
Non-Profit - Demand
Response
3 Vehicles
1,658
City of Cody
Cody
Public; Seasonal Shuttle
Service (June 1 September 30)
1 Vehicle
2,569
Cody Council on Aging
Cody
Non-Profit - Demand
Response
4 Vehicles
12,192
Powell Senior Center
Powell
Private; Fixed Route
Intercity Bus
N/A
North Big Horn Senior
Citizens
Lovell
Non-Profit - Demand
Response
4 Vehicles
Arrow/Black Hills
Stage Line
Billings, MT
to Denver,
CO through
Lovell
Private; Fixed Route
Intercity Bus
N/A
Source: WYDOT
7- 8
Size of
Fleet
Location
Thermopolis to US 310 | WYO 120/US 14A
N/A
12,698
N/A
Corridor 7
Demographic Characteristics
SSC 7 travels through three counties: Hot
Springs, Park, and Big Horn. The county
with the fastest growth rate was Park County
with 6.9 percent growth between 2000 and
2008. Park County includes Cody, which had
a population of approximately 9,300 in 2008,
saw a 4.7 percent growth rate from 2000.
Meeteetse, located south of Cody along WYO
120 in Park County, had a 2.6 percent decrease
in population for the same time period.
Big Horn County and Hot Springs County
also decreased in population between 2000 and
2008. Two towns, Thermopolis and Lovell,
experienced a similar trend, decreasing between
three and six percent.
Education & Health jobs account for the
highest category of employment for all three
counties. In Hot Springs and Park County,
the next major employment areas are in Arts
& Recreation followed by Retail. In Big Horn
County, Agriculture accounts for 11 percent of
employment, making it the largest agricultural
county in the corridor. See Appendix B for
more details about employment by county.
Population: 2000-2008
County City
Big Horn County
2000
2008
% Growth
% State Total
(2008)
2.1
11,461
11,322
-1.2
1,238
1,243
-0.2
Burlington
250
253
1.2
Byron
557
557
0.0
Cowley
560
614
9.6
Deaver
177
177
0.0
Basin
Frannie (pt.)
180
179
-0.6
Greybull
1,815
1,739
-4.2
Lovell
2,281
2,276
-3.6
104
100
-3.8
4,882
4,622
-5.3
274
264
-3.6
Manderson
Hot Springs County
East Thermopolis
Kirby
Thermopolis
Park County
Cody
Frannie (pt.)
Meeteetse
Powell
57
55
-3.5
3,172
2,971
-6.3
25,786
27,574
6.9
8,835
9,309
4.7
29
29
0.0
351
342
-2.6
5,373
5,524
2.4
0.9
5.2
Source: Population Division, US Census Bureau, July 1, 2009
Airport Information
AIRPORT NAME
(Associated City)
NPIAS ROLE
& HUB TYPE1
NPIAS
WYDOT
CLASSIFICATION
(2008)
WYDOT
CLASSIFICATION
(FUTURE)
Yellowstone Regional
Airport (Cody)
P-N
NPIAS
Commercial
Commercial
38,285
57
51,841
Powell Municipal
Airport (Powell)
GA
NPIAS
Intermediate
Intermediate
3,130
17
N/A
Hot Springs CountyThermopolis Airport
(Thermopolis)
GA
NPIAS
Local
Local
2,580
8
N/A
TOTAL AIRPORT
OPERATIONS
TOTAL
PASSENGERS
(2006)
BASED
AIRCRAFT
Notes: P - Primary Commercial Service, N - Non-hub Facility, GA - General Aviation
1
NPIAS (National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems) Role and Hub Type are same for both existing (2007) and 5-year federal forecast
Source: WYDOT and FAA
WYO 120/US 14A | Thermopolis to US 310
7-9