JACKSON, Wyo. — A large chunk of a twisting mountain pass road collapsed in Wyoming, authorities said Saturday, leaving a gaping chasm in the highway and severing a well-traveled commuter link between small towns in eastern Idaho and the tourist destination of Jackson.
Aerial photos and drone video of the collapse show the Teton Pass road riven with deep cracks, and a big section of the pavement disappeared altogether. Part of the guardrail dangled into the void, and orange traffic drums marked off the danger area. The road was closed at the time of the collapse.
The section that failed first drew attention Thursday when a crack and drop in the road contributed to the crash of a motorcycle.
Geologists and engineers who were sent to the area that day noticed “that crack and that drop started to move a lot,” said Stephanie Harsha, a spokesperson for District 3 of the Wyoming Department of Transportation. A paving crew temporarily patched the road, and traffic began moving again that night.
But that was short-lived as maintenance crews were sent to respond to a mudslide a couple of miles away in the pre-dawn hours of Friday, prompting the road to be closed once again.
Crews then noticed that the damage to the pavement had become more pronounced. Workers trying to figure out a detour around that section left for the night, “and by 5 a.m., this morning, WYDOT had discovered that the road had completely failed,” Harsha said Saturday.
“We were very, very lucky that no crews were harmed. No equipment was damaged,” she said. “So now, engineers and geologists are doing geological assessments on the pass. They’ve been looking at it all day.”
The transportation department said via social media that the road “catastrophically failed” at milepost 12.8.
It was not immediately clear how long it will take to reopen the road, a vital artery for people who live across the border in Idaho and work in pricey Jackson, which is also close to the popular Grand Teton National Park.
Harsha said an alternate route between Jackson and the area of Victor, Idaho, goes more than 60 miles (97 kilometers) out of the way and adds “quite a bit to any commute.”
Gov. Mark Gordon signed an executive order declaring an emergency, which his office said would help the state access additional resources from the Federal Highway Administration to begin repair work.
In a statement, the governor said the transportation department is working on “a long-term solution to rebuild this critical roadway.”
“I recognize the significant impacts this closure has to Teton County residents, regional commuters and the local economy,” Gordon said.
The collapse of a section of Teton Pass Road in Wyoming has left residents and officials uncertain about when the road will be fully rebuilt and reopened to traffic. The collapse occurred on August 1st, 2021, when heavy rainfall caused a large portion of the road to give way, leaving a massive crater in its wake.
Since the collapse, crews have been working tirelessly to assess the damage and come up with a plan for rebuilding the road. However, the extent of the damage is still unclear, and there are many factors that could impact the timeline for reconstruction.
One of the main challenges facing crews is the unstable nature of the surrounding terrain. The collapse occurred in a steep, mountainous area, making it difficult for heavy machinery to access the site and begin repairs. Additionally, the area is prone to landslides and other natural disasters, which could further delay the rebuilding process.
Another factor contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for rebuilding is funding. Rebuilding a major road like Teton Pass Road is a costly endeavor, and it is unclear where the necessary funds will come from. State and federal agencies are currently working to secure funding for the project, but until that is finalized, it is difficult to determine when construction will begin.
In the meantime, residents and commuters are left to navigate detours and alternate routes, adding time and inconvenience to their daily commutes. Businesses in the area are also feeling the impact, as decreased traffic on Teton Pass Road has led to a decrease in customers and revenue.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the rebuilding timeline, officials are committed to restoring Teton Pass Road to its former glory. They are working diligently to come up with a plan that will ensure the road is rebuilt safely and efficiently, while also taking into account the unique challenges of the surrounding terrain.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to stay informed about the progress of the rebuilding efforts and to be patient as crews work to restore this vital transportation artery. With time and dedication, Teton Pass Road will once again be open to traffic, providing a crucial link between communities in Wyoming and beyond.
