County supports street connection project

In a show of continued support for the Sundance Economic Development Committee’s (SEDC) efforts to encourage growth and more housing opportunities, the Crook County Commissioners have approved a letter of support for the group’s latest grant application.

The SEDC has been looking at the possibility of connecting the north and south ends of Sundance on the east end of town via an extension to 21st Street.

A couple of months ago, the committee announced it had applied for funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation “Safe Streets and Roads for All” program.

The project is expected to have a number of benefits aside from encouraging development in that part of town, such as relieving traffic on Hwy 585 and in front of the schools, providing an alternate route for trucks heading to the Port of Entry, providing another access point for emergency services and offering access to the baseball diamonds as well as potential extensions to bike and walking paths.

The SEDC is now seeking funding for the planning side of things through a new program introduced by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Reconnecting Communities Pilot is intended for communities that have been “cut off from economic opportunities by transportation infrastructure”, such as rail lines.

The letter of support from the commissioner recognizes that Sundance was divided when I-90 was built through the town and that this project would help to resolve the issue, “Helping to improve access to daily needs such as jobs, schools, healthcare, grocery stores, recreation and emergency services.”

The letter also notes that Sundance is seeing an influx of new residents at this time.

“Housing and development in the City of Sundance as well as Crook County is increasing, causing an even greater need to be connected,” it reads.

The planning grants for which the SEDC intends to apply will fund a community planning study. The committee, states the letter, “Has proven itself to be a reliable and trustworthy partner here in Crook County. Let’s work together to ensure necessary services are easily accessible to all in the City of Sundance.”