As Traffic Accidents Spike In Boom Areas, Towns Struggle To React

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Leigh Paterson/Inside Energy

Highway 59 traffic going through Bill, WY.

The Bill, WY post office serves 11 residents plus area ranchers and workers.

Leigh Paterson / Inside Energy

The Bill, WY post office serves 11 residents plus area ranchers and workers.

Update: On Tuesday February 17th, the Wyoming House of Representatives and Senate both defeated amendments to put more money into safety upgrades on Highway 59. Governor Matt Mead had asked for $21 million to add more passing lanes on the highway, but the Joint Appropriations Committee agreed to just $17 million to fund repairs on both Highway 59 and U-S 20/26.  Lawmakers said revenues associated with falling oil prices have made the state reticent to spend money.

If you ever take Wyoming Highway 59 between Douglas and Gillette, you might have noticed that recently there are more state troopers giving out more citations. In addition to this increased police presence, Governor Matt Mead has proposed nearly 22 million dollars in safety upgrades. Why? Because as Leigh Paterson previously reported, accidents on this section of Highway 59 have nearly doubled since 2010, largely due to the spike in traffic related to energy development. Listen to learn how lawmakers are (just now) taking action: