Prior to the signing of the U.S. highway system, U.S. 187 was at one time planned along the route of U.S. 87E between Muddy Gap Junction and Billings, Montana. This signing was probably never used, but it appeared on the 1926 Rand McNally Map.
U.S. 187 was designated in Wyoming for 56 years -- between 1926 and 1982. U.S. 187 was the main route from Rock Springs to Moran Junction via Pinedale and Jackson. It was never formally decommissioned by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
According to a 1938 Texaco map of Utah, U.S. 187 was projected to continue beyond the route from Rock Springs to Moran Junction. Plans called for the new alignment of U.S. 187 to continue along U.S. 30 east, then turn south on Baggs Road at WY 789 at Creston Junction. The map showed U.S. 187 heading south into Colorado, where it would have likely connected with what became State Highway 13. This southern extension of U.S. 187 was never adopted nor signed, and it is likely that Rand McNally added it based upon a possible extension that was ultimately rejected by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO), the Wyoming or Colorado Highway Departments, or other local entities. Aside from what was displayed on this map, there were few changes made along the route of U.S. 187 until the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Based on an AASHTO recommendation, U.S. 187 was fully decommissioned in favor of a redefined route for U.S. 191 by 1982. The route of U.S. 191 grew significantly at that time, running from Chambers, Arizona, north to Malta, Montana.
Although U.S. 187 was replaced by U.S. 191, there are many sections of the old road that are still visible today. In some areas, such as the section of U.S. 191 between Rock Springs and north of Reliant, as many as three old alignments roughly parallel U.S. 191. Other abandoned sections of U.S. 187 are located along U.S. 191 between Rock Springs and Farson.
Connect with:
Page Updated 09-22-2005.