Jackson, Wyoming – A critical highway linking Idaho and Wyoming has been shut down indefinitely due to a devastating landslide that caused a section of the road to crack and collapse. The closure of Teton Pass, which connects Victor, Idaho, and Jackson, Wyoming, comes after the roadway sustained significant damage.
According to Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, there is currently no estimated timeline for when Teton Pass will reopen to traffic. The closure was prompted by a crack that appeared across both lanes of travel, dropping vertically by up to 8 inches in some areas and creating unsafe driving conditions for motorists.
Efforts to patch the cracked roadway were made, and traffic was temporarily allowed to resume. However, a mudslide in a different location on the road forced its closure once again. The following day, the section where the initial crack occurred collapsed, leading to a long-term closure of the highway.
Despite ongoing repair efforts, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) stated that a detour was being constructed around the damage caused by the landslide. No injuries were reported among WYDOT and contract crews working on the repairs, reassuring the public of their safety during the incident.
Governor Gordon expressed gratitude for the efforts undertaken by WYDOT staff to ensure public safety amidst the crisis. He also emphasized the importance of coordinating with state agencies to address the aftermath of the catastrophic landslide and work towards restoring connectivity to the Teton Valley region.
WYDOT engineers and geologists mobilized swiftly to manage the situation, but ultimately, the highway’s catastrophic failure could not be averted. Director Darin Westby affirmed the Department’s commitment to fixing the road and exploring long-term solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As WYDOT continues to evaluate options for repairing the highway, they caution the public to stay away from the site until stabilization measures are in place. The significance of the Teton Pass corridor as a vital commuter route and facilitator of regional economic activities in Wyoming and Idaho underscores the urgent need for comprehensive repairs to ensure continued connectivity in the area.