Traffic mileage soars in Wyoming’s Teton County

Traffic in northwest Wyoming’s Teton County has already surpassed what the community hoped to see no sooner than 2035.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports a new report from the town of Jackson and county says vehicles traveled more than 592 million miles in Teton County in 2017.

The goal was to keep traffic levels below 560 million annual vehicle miles traveled for 2035.

The report shows annual vehicle miles traveled were up from 523 million in 2016, and from 483 million in 2012.

Jackson planning director Tyler Sinclair says the increase is significant and “shocking.”

Sinclair said planners don’t know for sure what explains the traffic increase but it could have to do with the increasing number of people in Teton County during winter and shoulder seasons.