Timeline Of Catastrophic Road Failure On Teton Pass

No one was hurt and no equipment was damaged in the failure

By Denise Rivette

This morning WYO 22/Teton Pass was closed indefinitely due to a “catastrophic” road failure. The road was closed to traffic overnight due to road repair and a mudslide that occurred earlier. No road crew members were injured and no equipment was damaged in the failure. Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) kept the public well apprised of the situations as they occurred or were discovered through their Facebook posts. Below is how the events transpired as told through social media.

The following was compiled from WYDOT Facebook posts:

June 7 - 4:18 a.m.

On June 7 as of 4:18 a.m., WYODOT closed WYO 22, Teton Pass due to a mudslide. The mudslide came down at milepost 15, near the scale house, breaching both lanes of travel. Crews have been working to clear the debris, but additional material continues to flow into the roadway. There is no estimated time of opening.

In addition, crews are using the closure to evaluate the temporary patch and movement at milepost 12.8. Yesterday, the road damage caused by the landslide movement caused a crack and drop in the road, resulting in unsafe driving conditions. Early reports indicate that there has been additional movement since the repairs on June 6. More information will be available after a more thorough investigation can be completed. If crews deem the section of roadway unsafe for travel, the closure could continue after the cleanup of the mudslide at milepost 15.

June 7 - 1:00 p.m.

Teton Pass remains closed as of 1 p.m. WYDOT closed the road this morning due to a mudslide. Crews have been working to clear the debris, but additional material continues to flow into the roadway. There is no estimated time of completion.

Due to the continued movement at milepost 12.8, crews are now working on a temporary solution to stabilize the slide area by removing the asphalt on the roadway, minimizing the weight on the unstable ground. This in turn will help reduce the driving force pushing the movement. The road will be realigned closer to the mountain in shoe fly detour configuration, similar to what drivers see on a two-lane road construction project. WYDOT is currently mobilizing crews and equipment to perform the work.

Both the ongoing work at milepost 15 and milepost 12.8, Teton Pass will likely remain closed for the rest of the day and tonight. Crews will be working to open the road within the next day or two, but opening will be dependent on availability of equipment and contractors, as well as weather.

June 7 - 7:00 p.m.

Teton Pass remains closed at the close of Friday, June 7 and will remain closed throughout the night, due to a landslide at milepost 12.8. WYDOT has contracted crews from Evans Construction to construct a temporary repair for the landslide at milepost 12.8. Crews are currently working to remove guardrail and have begun preparing for the removal of the pavement. The road will be realigned closer to the mountain in shoe fly detour configuration.

Due to both the ongoing work at milepost 15 and milepost 12.8, Teton Pass will likely remain closed throughout the night and into Saturday.

Special thanks to our neighbors, Idaho Transportation Department for assisting cleanup operations at the mudslide on WYO 22, Teton Pass! Thanks guys!

June 8 - 8:00 a.m.

The roadway at milepost 12.8 on Teton Pass, has catastrophically failed, and a long term closure is expected. WYDOT crews, along with contract crews from Evans Construction, were working in the area to construct a detour around the damage, but the landslide continued to move, taking out the whole road. No crews were hurt in the process, and no equipment was damaged.

WYDOT is now reviewing a long term solution and repairs, and more information on planning efforts will be available soon.

In addition, the mudslide at milepost 15 on Teton Pass, has breached the roadway with mud and debris, overwhelming the channeled drainage ditch and culvert. Crews are working on clearing the mud and debris this morning.

June 8 - 2:00 p.m.

A statement on WYO 22/Teton Pass from WYDOT Director Darin Westby:

”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. WYDOT engineers, surveyors and geologists mobilized quickly to try to maintain highway viability as long as possible, but catastrophic failure could not be avoided. 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.”

For updates, follow WYDOT Teton County

Photos from Wyoming Highway Patrol drone