People want state transportation officials to protect wildlife along highways 22 and 390, and to plan for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Those were the most frequent suggestions highway officials took away from their first public meeting about changes for the two highways. They hosted the open house Tuesday at the Center for the Arts.

More than 80 people showed up to talk about what changes should occur on the highways. The Wyoming Depart-ment of Transportation is trying to figure out how to improve the corridors, which connect Jackson, Wilson and Teton Village. South Park Loop Road is also included in the study.

WYDOT wants to relieve traffic congestion, prevent collisions with wildlife, and improve access and safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

However, instead of looking at ways to revamp the entire corridor, which can carry as many as 20,000 vehicles during peak summer days, officials are looking for smaller projects that will improve the highways.

In coming months, WYDOT engineers are expected to develop project ideas. They’ll compile comments from Tuesday’s meeting and post them online as they establish goals for the new projects.

“It’s going to take them a while to digest all that information,” WYDOT spokeswoman Stephanie Harsha said.

Once officials have a general list of potential projects, they’ll start on the details. For example, engineers might decide that they need to install more turning lanes for the first part of the initial phase. Then they would figure out exactly where those lanes should be.

A detailed list of projects is expected by next summer. One more public open house is scheduled for April 2013, though residents should be able to submit comments regarding the corridor throughout the study.

More information about the study can be found at 22-390corridorstudy.com. WYDOT staff also can be reached at the department’s Jackson shop by calling 733-3665.

The website features an interactive map where residents can submit comments about specific parts of the corridor.