A major section of a twisting mountain highway in Wyoming has completely collapsed, leaving a massive chasm in the road and cutting off a vital commuter route between Idaho and the tourist hub of Jackson. Authorities say the catastrophic collapse of the Teton Pass road occurred early Saturday morning.
Aerial footage and photos show the startling extent of the damage – the two-lane highway is ripped apart by deep fissures, with a large segment of pavement completely disintegrated.
Part of the guardrail now hangs precariously over the void, while orange traffic barrels mark the dangerous area. Luckily, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) had closed the road before the collapse.
The problems began on Thursday when a crack and drop in the pavement contributed to a motorcycle crash. Geologists and engineers rushed to inspect and noticed the crack “started to move a lot,” according to WYDOT spokesperson Stephanie Harsha. Crews patched the road temporarily to allow traffic overnight.
However, the reprieve was short-lived as maintenance teams had to respond to a mudslide just miles away early Friday, forcing another closure. When they returned, the highway damage had dramatically worsened. After attempting to map a detour, workers left for the night – only to find the entire section had catastrophically failed early Saturday.
“We were very, very lucky that no crews were harmed. No equipment was damaged,” Harsha stated. Geological assessments are now underway to determine the cause and develop a repair plan for the vital roadway.
For many residents across the Idaho border in places like Victor, the Teton Pass road is a key commuter route into the affluent Jackson area and its major tourist draws like Grand Teton National Park. The extensive detour route adds over 60 miles each way.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has declared an emergency to access federal resources for rebuilding what he called “this critical roadway.”
As of Monday, WYDOT says it is uncertain how long it will take to repair the collapse.
For now, the gaping chasm is as an impassable barrier, forcing locals and tourists on massive detours and disrupting the lives of many in the area.
Take a look —
This is wild! “Catastrophic failure of Teton Pass between Jackson Hole and Victor Idaho. It is a key artery for commuters and commerce. Going to be a rough summer for employees and businesses” pic.twitter.com/vVEMJwy88D
— Heidi Hatch KUTV (@tvheidihatch) June 8, 2024
