Teton Pass Road Collapse: 'Catastrophic Failure' Leaves Wyoming Community Severed

A major section of the Teton Pass roadway near Jackson, Wyoming, has collapsed due to a landslide, causing significant disruption for commuters, businesses, and tourism in the area.

A large section of the Teton Pass roadway near Jackson, Wyoming, collapsed over the weekend in what officials have termed a "catastrophic failure." The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has left a significant gap in the winding road and has forced its closure until repairs can be made.

The roadway at milepost 12.8 on Teton Pass "catastrophically failed," according to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), severing a large chunk of the road and rendering it impassable. The closure has added at least an hour of travel time for those who drive on the roadway, which is a lifeline for commuters, deliveries, medical care, and tourism in the area.

"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 Director Darin Westby said in a statement.

Aerial photographs and drone footage have captured the extent of the damage, showing a sheer chasm where the roadway's pavement used to be. A guardrail now dangles down the collapsed section, hanging precariously over loose dirt and rocks.

The collapse occurred after a landslide on Saturday, following several days of heavy rain and snowmelt that destabilized the ground beneath the roadway. Maintenance crews had been monitoring a large crack that had split the roadway on Friday, but despite their efforts to maintain the road, the crack continued to grow as the land shifted.

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

Fortunately, the roadway was closed at the time of the collapse, and no one was injured or equipment damaged. However, the closure has had a significant impact on the community, with an alternate route between Jackson and Victor, Idaho, adding more than 60 miles and a considerable amount of time to any commute.

Teton Pass is a well-traveled commuter link between small towns in eastern Idaho and the popular tourist destination of Jackson, a ritzy area for skiers and outdoor enthusiasts that is located near Grand Teton National Park. The median home price in Jackson was $2.8 million in May, according to Realtor.com.

WYDOT geologists and engineers are currently on site conducting an assessment and will develop a long-term plan to rebuild the collapsed roadway. However, officials have acknowledged that there is no estimated timeline for the road to reopen, leaving the community facing a prolonged period of disruption.

"At this point, we do not have an estimated timeline for the road to reopen," Governor Mark Gordon said in a statement. "I recognize the impacts this closure has to Teton County residents, regional commuters and the local economy, and we are in direct communication with local officials."

The closure of Teton Pass has also raised concerns about the potential economic impact on businesses in the area, particularly during the busy summer season. Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Golightly told the Jackson Hole News&Guide that the closure is "not good news for anyone," and that it will likely have a negative impact on businesses that rely on tourism.

"It's going to be a challenge for people to get to Jackson," Golightly said. "It's going to be a challenge for businesses to get their employees to work. It's going to be a challenge for tourists to get to their destinations."

The collapse of Teton Pass is a reminder of the vulnerability of infrastructure to natural events and the importance of investing in maintenance and upgrades to ensure the safety and reliability of transportation systems. As officials work to assess the damage and develop a plan for repairs, the community of Jackson and surrounding areas must endure the challenges and inconveniences caused by this major disruption.