GREEN RIVER - Over the past seven years, Bridger Coal Co. has slowly expanded its 34-year old Sweetwater County mine to include a new underground mining operation, while maintaining the existing surface mine.

The new underground mine has brought additional workers, suppliers and vendors to the facility.

What's needed now is a quality road for all those folks to arrive on.

Bridger Coal officials approached the Sweetwater County Commission Tuesday morning seeking help and support for a state grant application to fund the upgrading of a 1.7-mile portion of a county road to the new mine. The roadway segment is currently a rough gravel/dirt road.

Bridger Coal spokesman Scott Child said a new paved roadway would provide an efficient, "year-round quality travel route" to the company's new underground mine facilities.

The Bridger Coal mine provides the principal supply of fuel for the adjacent Jim Bridger Power Plant, a four-unit, 2,100 megawatt generating station that produces electricity for PacifiCorp and Idaho Power customers in six Western states.

Officials said the new underground mine is expected to extend the life of the coal mine for another 20 years or so.

Commissioners agreed to assist the company with preparing and processing a Wyoming Business Ready Community Grant application for approximately $1.5-$2 million in funding.

Read more in Wednesday's Casper Star-Tribune.