Project Deep Dive: Casper Rail Trail Extension

​For more than 43 years, Platte River Trails’ partners have brought their expertise, creativity, and problem-solving to the table, helping transform trail ideas into lasting community assets, as seen in the recent completion of the Casper Rail Trail extension. This past fall, the Casper Rail Trail, a designated segment of the 3,700-mile Great American Rail Trail, progressed with a new 3-mile eastward extension toward Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park (EKW), bringing the full route to nine miles.

The trail’s out‑and‑back experience features an exceptional new surface that elevates trail quality. We also leveraged the work already underway to complete rehabilitation on sections west of Hat Six Road, prompting a broader look at long-term improvements. The next major goal is an underpass connection to EKW State Park, which will extend access even farther.
 
This project, as with all trail-building endeavors, was not a solo effort. Every mile begins long before construction – with planning, development, demolition, material recovery, design engineering, and permitting, all taking place before any pathways are laid.
 
Planning & Development
Nick Larsen, with Civil Engineering Professionals, Inc. (CEPI), served as the civil engineer for the Casper Rail Trail extension project, developing the plans and overseeing construction from start to finish. By following the old railroad corridor, CEPI was able to use the existing rail bed’s solid foundation to create a stable, long-lasting pathway.
 
One of the project’s biggest challenges was removing an aging bridge and lowering the trail grade to keep the route fully on land, and replacing it with a culvert for safer, more reliable access. CEPI also laid the groundwork for future phases, positioning the trail for an eventual underpass and safe connection beneath the highway.
 
“As a resident of Casper and PRTT partner, I think the trail system throughout town is fantastic. The work that’s been done on the trails is great for people getting out, taking walks, riding bikes, and enjoying the outdoors. It really enhances Casper and the outdoor activities you can do in this area, and from a professional standpoint, I’m really proud to be a part of this project,” says Nick.
 
Demolition & Material Recovery
Pete Peterson with Recycled Materials, LLC, led demolition and material recovery for the railroad bridge removal portion of the project. His team dismantled the unsafe, aging structure and recycled 100 percent of the bridge materials, doing everything they could to keep materials out of the landfill.
 
“We try really hard to recycle as much as we can on all our projects and reduce landfill space,” says Pete. “That’s what we did here, staying true to Platte River Trails’ mission of preserving outdoor spaces and protecting the river and everything around it. If those materials can be recycled or repurposed, it supports what they’re doing, too. I think that’s really cool.”
 
Steel beams were sent to local recycling partners, with one 60-foot beam repurposed as a diversion at La Prele Creek for a rancher in Douglas. The concrete deck, piers, and abutments were crushed and processed into gravel, then reused right on-site for the new trail. Thereby turning the old portions of the bridge into usable trail material.
 
Construction
The actual construction portion of the project was performed by 71 Construction in November. Their team paved the way for the actual 10-foot-wide trail, laying groundwork for a safe, smooth pathway. 71 Construction used various equipment to grade the existing ground, preparing it for the next step of laying down material. From there, they brought in aggregate, laid it down, rolled and packed it out, making way for a smooth walking surface.
 
“We wanted to ensure the trail offered a good user experience. There were some fences on the land, so we laid down cattle guards so cows can’t venture out, but people can continue on the trail without having to open and close fences,” says 71 Construction Estimator, John Ramage.
 
John also shares a conversation he had with a former PRTT board member who works with 71 Construction. He explained to John that the Casper Rail Trail eastbound extension was just a pipe dream when he served on the board; now it’s a reality, connecting people east all the way through town.
 
Future Outlook
Platte River Trails’ work with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy continues to shape the future of the Casper Rail Trail and its place on the Great American Rail Trail. Through collaboration, former rail corridors are being transformed into vibrant community pathways, connecting neighborhoods, expanding access to the outdoors, and inspiring residents of all ages to explore, learn, and move through Casper in new ways.
 
“We are excited to highlight the first significant new miles in Wyoming on the Great American Rail Trail since the launch,” says Kevin Belle, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Project Manager. “This extension of the Casper Rail Trail is a long time coming, with years of planning behind these new miles.”
 
The 3-mile addition to the Casper Rail Trail increases Wyoming’s overall Great American Rail Trail development by 20%. This is a huge accomplishment, as building Rail Trail in Wyoming can be difficult. Wyoming has few railroads that go through the state, many of which are still in use, which makes building accessible multi-use trails on the Great American Rail Trail route more difficult. So, even three new miles is a great accomplishment.
 
“The end game is to gain access to EKW State Park via trail. Our future plans include an underpass to safely cross the highway, but it’s truly exciting that we are gaining momentum on the Great American Rail Trail through Wyoming. We are also eager to continue eastbound trail development across the grasslands towards Glenrock and Douglas,” says Rachel Spear, PRTT Executive Director.
 
The Great American Rail-Trail is a planned 3,700-mile coast-to-coast walking and biking route connecting Washington, D.C., to Washington state by linking together 12 states through 150+ existing rail-trails. For Wyoming, local routes like the Casper Rail Trail are part of the vision. However, the state currently has over 490 miles of gaps to fill, making continued local trail development critical to completing the cross-country connection and realizing the full economic and recreational opportunities. Thanks to the partnerships above, PRTT is that much closer to fulfilling Wyoming’s link in the Great American Rail Trail, an accomplishment worth celebrating!
 
Want to get in on the action? Help advance our efforts by making a gift today. Together, we can continue important work along the Casper Rail Trail and beyond!

Join us for a Ribbon Cutting on April 25th (Celebrate Trails Day) at 10 am on the Casper Rail Trail to officially commemorate the three additional miles we added to the Great American Rail Trail right here in Casper. We'll meet at County Rd 604/Pou Rd near the trail’s east loop end.

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