CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A $290 million modernization of the entire length of Interstate 80 in Wyoming is the most-needed project for future economic development, according to a new report.

The suggested upgrade would include construction of variable-speed lanes and truck climbing lanes.

“Wyoming’s transportation system is the backbone of the state’s economy,” said Frank Moretti of TRIP, the Washington, D.C.-based national nonprofit transportation research organization that compiled the report.

The report, released Wednesday during a media conference, identified 25 projects in the state to provide Wyoming with a transportation system that can support the increased movement of people, goods and natural resources and enhance economic development.

The document, Moretti said, provides a blueprint of the status of the state’s future transportation needs.

Martin Kidner, state planning engineer for the Wyoming Department of Transportation, said during the media conference that the money received by the agency is being spent to preserve existing roads rather than to prepare for future growth.

Laramie is located in Albany County, Wyoming. It has a population of over 27,523. The cost of living index in Laramie, 96, is near the national average. New single-family homes in Laramie are priced at $156,100 on average, which is well below the state average. In 2008, eighty-six new homes were built in Laramie, down from one hundred thirteen the previous year.

The three big industries for women in Laramie are educational services, health care, and accommodation and food services. For men, it is educational services, construction, and accommodation and food services. The average commute to work is about 12 minutes. More than 46.7% of Laramie residents have a bachelor’s degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 19.6%, is higher than the state average.The unemployment rate in Laramie is 3.8%, which is less than Wyoming’s average of 6.8%. About 22.6% of Laramie’s residents are below the poverty line, which is worse than the state average.

The percentage of Laramie residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 37.4%, is less than both the national and state average. The most prominent religious groups are the Catholic Church, the LDS (Mormon) Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

.Reference resource: Click Here.