COSTS AND BENEFIT CATEGORIES, VALUES

$20$ year Freeway Project west of Laramie pre I$-80.($Consider time t $=0-19$ and we are in $2012$ at $t=0).$ The alternative routes are what is now I$-80$ past Elk Mountain OR expand Hwy $287/30$ from $2$ to $4$ lanes. Note Elk Mtn route $=56$ miles and Hwy $287/30=75$ miles.

The no action $($do not have a section of the proposed $1-80$ between Laramie west to Wolcott Junction$)$ alternative is politically UNPOPULAR locally and Federally frowned upon!!

Which route to choose $q,$ hey what about uxing a BCAl!

A benefit cost analysis is undertaken with the costs and benefits by route given below.

Each category needs to be calculated $($where needed$)$ and then discounted back to $2012$ values $($our friend the PV equation$).$

Some categories have trends $($where indicated$)$ independent of discounting $($PV$).$

The last step is to calculate the Benefit Cost Ratio for each route at both $3\%$ and $6\%$ discount rates.

Which route is less costly$?$