Part of Wyoming highway collapses in landslide, blocking crucial commuter transit route

Part of Teton Pass, a crucial highway that winds through the mountains of western Wyoming, collapsed Saturday morning in a massive landslide that cut off the main transit route between two cities in the region. Officials have not released a timeline for the repair process, but said they expect the road to remain closed for a long time, potentially putting nearly half the workforce in and around tourist centers Jackson Hole, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park at risk. .

The Teton County Branch of the Wyoming Department of Transportation announced on Saturday morning that the road at milepost 12.8 in Teton Pass had “catastrophically failed” and shared several images on social media that showed the extent of the damage. Officials said crews were trying to build a bypass around the initial collapse when the landslide spread further and effectively destroyed an entire section of the surrounding highway. Nobody was injured.

“WYDOT is now reviewing a long-term solution and repairs, and more information about planning efforts will be available soon,” the department said in its announcement. At the time, crews were also working to clean up debris from another landslide at the 15-mile mark in Teton Pass.

Carved into the Teton Range and running about 17 miles, Teton Pass is the only direct route between Victor, Idaho, and Jackson, Wyoming. Despite being notoriously treacherous at certain times of the year, and typically closed during those times due to weather-related safety concerns, the highway provides vital access to Teton County, which includes Jackson, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, for workers traveling to there from eastern Idaho. .

“We understand this highway is a lifeline for commuters, deliveries, access to medical care and tourism, especially with limited alternatives and the summer season upon us,” said Darin Westby, director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation, in a statement . declaration after the collapse. “WYDOT engineers, surveyors and geologists mobilized quickly to try to maintain the highway’s viability for as long as possible, but a catastrophic failure could not be avoided.”

Westby said the Department of Transportation was on scene and “decisively committed to repairing the road and restoring connectivity to the Teton Valley.”

In a study completed last January on the safety of the Teton Pass corridor, the Federal Highway Administration recognized that the highway “provides a critical connection for commuters and recreationalists traveling from Victor, Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming.” The journey, from one end to the other, would normally take about 30 minutes or so by car, or a little longer on public transport. Due to the steep mountainous landscape, alternative routes send travelers a long detour this takes about three times as long and covers about 85 miles.

The Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Council said businesses in the city, as well as Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, would remain open in a message shared on your website following the collapse of Teton Pass. The board also acknowledged that closing the highway indefinitely will likely have consequences for workers who live in Idaho and commute to Teton County, who make up about 40% of the county’s workforce, according to the message.

“While businesses will do their best to support employees and passengers, and will work to remain open and maintain normal operating hours and services, the workforce is expected to be impacted,” the travel and tourism board said. “As a community, we ask visitors and local residents to be patient and understanding if they experience longer than normal wait times or disruptions to services.”