A massive mudslide in Teton Pass has severely disrupted the highway connecting Jackson, Wyoming, to the Idaho border, leading to a significant closure and creating major transportation challenges. The mudslide, which occurred on Saturday, followed several days of intense efforts by highway crews to maintain the road amid worsening conditions.
The trouble began on Thursday when cracks were discovered along Wyoming State Route 22. Highway crews patched the road, but some areas had dropped as much as eight inches. Despite these efforts, the road was temporarily closed but later reopened. However, the situation deteriorated on Friday when a mudslide partially covered the road, and parts of the underlying dirt foundation began to erode.
Part of Teton Pass in Wyoming “catastrophically failed” on Saturday following a landslide in the area.
The popular and critical mountain road links Jackson, Wyoming, and Victor, Idaho. pic.twitter.com/5OF1KDhmnP
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) June 9, 2024
By Saturday, the situation reached a critical point. “The roadway at milepost 12.8 on Teton Pass has catastrophically failed, and a long-term closure is expected,” the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) announced via Facebook. WYDOT crews attempted to construct a detour, but the relentless movement of the landslide ultimately took out the entire road. Fortunately, no injuries or equipment damage occurred during the incident.
WYDOT Director Darin Westby acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that the mudslide was beyond the crews’ control. “We understand this highway is a lifeline for commuters, deliveries, medical care access, and tourism, especially with limited alternatives and the summer season upon us,” he said. Despite the quick mobilization of engineers, surveyors, and geologists, the catastrophic failure could not be prevented.
When large crack in road (2 days ago) is a leading sign of total failure.
Teton Pass, WY pic.twitter.com/h5AEJ2NVCz
— Reed Es🕴🏻 (@reedes) June 8, 2024
Efforts to address the damage are ongoing. “WYDOT remains on site decisively engaged on fixing the road and restoring connectivity to the Teton Valley. Safety is our utmost priority, and we ask that recreationists and curious residents avoid the area until it can be stabilized,” Westby added.
These photos are wild! – Iconic Teton Pass into Jackson Hole suffers catastrophic collapse. Pics courtesy @WYDOTNews pic.twitter.com/kLcSWJnoVQ
— KCO in WYO (@kcowyo) June 9, 2024
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon also weighed in on the crisis. In a Facebook post, he expressed gratitude for the WYDOT staff’s efforts to protect public safety and noted that there is currently no estimated timeline for reopening the road. “I recognize the impacts this closure has on Teton County residents, regional commuters, and the local economy, and we are in direct communication with local officials. We will continue to provide updates on the road status as additional information becomes available,” he wrote.
