Wyoming re-opening 9 rest stops closed by budget cuts

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - The state of Wyoming is re-opening nine rest stops that were closed last year due to budget cuts, Gov. Mark Gordon said.

The state plans to open the rest stops before the Memorial Day holiday weekend and keep then open at least through this year's tourism season, the Casper Star-Tribune reports.

"With the summer season just around the corner, I'm glad we will be able to reopen these facilities to travelers," Gordon said in a statement Thursday. "We are glad to have this chance to find a temporary solution."

The rest stops were closed last June in the first budget cuts enacted amid declining revenues caused by the energy slowdown and the COVID-19 pandemic. The closures were expected to save the state more than $700,000.

Gordon said he would work to get federal money to reopen the rest areas.

The rest stops that are reopening are near Lusk, Guernsey, Greybull, Moorcroft, Star Valley, Sundance, Upton, Orin Junction and Chugwater. Wyoming has 37 rest stops.