The Wyoming Department of Transportation has finished building a turnout on the east side of Highway 26/89/191 for people to pull over and watch wildlife on the National Elk Refuge.

The state began the project in September 2006 and completed the road improvements this fall.

The National Wildlife Refuge received a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Visitor Enhancement grant to construct an interpretative kiosk at the pullout. That kiosk, built by Grand Teton Log Homes of Victor, Idaho, was completed and installed this month, in time for the winter rush of visitors viewing elk along the road. The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation and refuge staff are working on an interpretative sign to install at the kiosk.

The popularity of pulling off to view wildlife along the three-mile stretch of highway bordering the National Elk Refuge led WYDOT and refuge officials to undertake the project. In particular, the state was concerned about the safety of motorists, who previously pulled off onto the shoulder of the highway, when visibility is bad and road conditions slick.   

The turnout is designed to keep wildlife watchers safe and also remind people to slow down on that particular stretch of highway, which bisects an elk migration corridor and is prone to high roadkill levels, according to a release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In addition to the pullout, WYDOT added a center turning lane for approximately a half-mile.

The additional lane is necessary because of the large number of vehicles turning in to businesses along the west side of the road, WYDOT officials said when announcing the construction plans in 2006.