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Public works updates: compost hauling shift, transit signal prioritization phased approach and Teton Pass Trail decision path
Summary
Public Works told commissioners July 7 it will pursue a contract amendment to consolidate food-waste hauling with the county's composting contractor, advance a South Park RV dump-station design while preserving ARPA spending deadlines, and pursue a phased approach to transit signal prioritization if YDOT concurs — while asking FTA to remove the Teton Pass Trail from the Build grant.
Teton County Public Works presented a wide-ranging update on July 7 covering recycling and composting procurement, planned RV dump-station design using ARPA funds, progress on the Stilson Transit Center, active-transportation projects in Wilson, wildlife-crossing infrastructure, and a multi-agency deliberation over the Build grant components for the Teton Pass Trail and Transit Signal Prioritization (TSP).
On organics hauling, Public Works staff said a recent RFP produced no viable commercial proposals, so staff will propose an amendment to the existing Arbor Works Organics contract to assume food-waste collection responsibilities rather than reissuing the RFP. "Arbor Works is preparing a proposal to amend their existing contract," staff reported; a contract amendment is expected within about a month.
On the RV dump-station project tied to the county's water-quality management plan, staff said consultant proposals exceeded expected costs; the department proposed scaling back outside consultant scope to environmental analysis, permitting and geotechnical work and completing in-house engineering design for major cost savings. Staff noted that ARPA funds designated for a South Park RV dump station must be spent by December 2026.
Public Works said Stilson Transit Center construction began in April with utility and paving work underway and a projected completion in summer 2026; staff noted non-scope solar and EV charging work is being evaluated with grant funding possibilities.
Downtown Wilson active-transportation design is at 95 percent and right-of-way acquisitions remain a schedule risk; YDOT agreed to permit one rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) location at Bridal Lane but expressed safety concerns about another proposed RRFB near Fall Creek Road because of approach speeds and truck-arrester considerations.
The meeting devoted extended discussion to the federal Build grant components: county staff reported the grant includes both the Teton Pass Trail (estimated about $4.1 million in prior budgeting) and Transit Signal Prioritization (TSP). Public Works said Build grant funds for TSP total $225,000 but earlier estimates (2021) put total TSP costs near $700,000-$770,000; the difference and YDOT concerns about signal delay raised the prospect of reducing TSP scope or phasing deployment.
Heather Overholster summarized options for the board: (1) submit an immediate request to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to remove the Teton Pass Trail; (2) confer with YDOT about a phased TSP and, if YDOT agreeable, submit a combined request to FTA to remove the trail and reduce TSP scope; or (3) request removal of both Teton Pass Trail and TSP from the Build grant. Overholster said, "we have $225,000 in funds through build for TSP... The 1 when the estimates were done back in 2021, it was about 700 and some thousand dollars for the TSP project." She said the county must coordinate with YDOT and FTA and that YDOT has identified intersections it is comfortable with and others it is not.
Commissioners discussed options. Several supported a phased TSP approach to deploy equipment on buses and pilot a limited set of intersections YDOT is comfortable approving, while simultaneously asking staff to pursue removal of the Teton Pass Trail from the Build grant or submit a narrowly scoped request to FTA. The board directed staff to pursue option 2: consult with YDOT about a phased TSP, identify intersections acceptable to YDOT, and if YDOT concurs submit a combined request to FTA to reduce the TSP scope and to remove the Teton Pass Trail from the Build grant. Staff were instructed to return with further details and modeling results and to keep the board informed about YDOT engagement and FTA responses.
Public Works also reported on Grand Targhee expansion draft EIS engagement, wildlife guard installation near Emily's Pond (to be installed by YDOT), and continued Hoback Water and Sewer District coordination. On composting and organics hauling, commissioners asked whether Arbor Works would need to purchase equipment; staff said Arbor Works may already have or could lease needed equipment and that consolidating hauling with composting should improve contractor competitiveness.
