Teton County picks Whitaker as CMAR for Teton Pass Trail Segment 2

Teton County commissioners on March 3 considered approving a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contract with Whitaker Construction Company for preconstruction services on the BUILD-grant-funded Teton Pass Trail Segment 2. The preconstruction contract totals $58,200, with costs budgeted in the county’s BUILD grant fund and reimbursable by the federal grant up to 80%, according to the county staff report. See: Consideration of Teton Pass Trail Construction Manager at Risk Contract Agreement.

Segment 2 is planned to extend from the Idaho/Wyoming state line at Trail Creek Campground east toward Coal Creek Trailhead (up to about 3.5 miles), creating a separated pathway intended to reduce bike/ped conflicts on a narrow stretch of WY-22 while tying into the larger Greater Yellowstone Trail vision. But because BUILD and county contributions are capped and philanthropy is still being raised, staff said the exact buildable scope is uncertain — a key reason the county opted for CMAR delivery rather than a traditional low-bid contract.

Under the approach described to commissioners, Whitaker would provide constructability reviews, scheduling help and cost estimating leading to a future, publicly bid Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) package sized to the funding that’s actually available. County staff reported Whitaker was the top-scoring proposer in a qualifications-based process (94.2/100) and had already received a notice of award Feb. 17. See: CMAR Notice of Award staff memo.

The staff report also frames the trail decision in the context of earlier cost/scope discussions — including a Sept. 29, 2025 commission direction to pursue a reduced-scope agreement revision with the Federal Transit Administration, with the county committing to 20% of total project cost while private fundraising continues. See: October 20, 2025 letter describing funding options and scope.