River study reset to flow into September

Stantec Inc. said they are taking more time on the Upper North Platte River Restoration Project preliminary in order to ensure the project is sound.

In an Aug. 1 email, provided to the Saratoga Sun by mayor of Saratoga John Zeiger, Project Manager of the Upper North Platte River Restoration Project Nathan Jean said his crew is working on the proposed conditions.

“But unfortunately, [we] do not have it in a place where we feel it can be turned in,” Jean’s email said.

Jean continued saying they would like to “spend a little more time with it, to be sure it conveys the best solutions and that those solutions are presented in a clear way”.

Jean acknowledged the project has been delayed, but said there needs to be the proper amount of time taken to get “a sustainable solution to the complex problems on the North Platte”.

The email ended with Jean requesting to turn the proposed conditions in next week.

Recently, Zeiger told The Saratoga Sun Stantec has indicated they would have the report done by early September.

Zeiger said he was not concerned at all with the delay.

“I would rather it be delayed and they have the right information … It would be better for them to be cautious and write a good report,” Zeiger said.

Additionally, the town has taken another step towards finishing the pedestrian bridge project. Town officials have confirmed they were digging another hole on Aug. 18 on Veterans Island in order to build another abutment.

The project has received criticism from many Saratoga residents. Zeiger said the pedestrian bridge was not a spur of the moment project.

A pedestrian bridge, Zeiger said, was part of the recreation master plan which was drawn up in the 1970’s. Additionally, Zegier said the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) had offered the town grant money for the project on more than two separate occasions before accepting the money.

Zeiger said he still stands by the pedestrian bridge project both as a Saratoga resident and as the mayor.

At the Aug. 19 town council meeting, Zeiger told the Saratoga Sun the town had yet to receive the funds for the master plan grant.

“We are still waiting on getting the funds,” Zeiger said. “They have yet to kick those funds loose.”

Zeiger said as soon as the town of Saratoga receives those funds, they will begin forming a steering committee for the master plan.

The next Saratoga Town Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Sept. 2 at Saratoga Town Hall.