A catastrophic landslide on State Highway 22 in Wyoming, outside of Jackson, has resulted in a highway collapse and long-term closure. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) reported the incident on June 8, stating that both travel lanes had been consumed by the landslide.
No injuries were reported among construction crews or travelers due to the landslide. However, spring rainfall and significant snowmelt have caused flooding and landslides throughout the region according to National Weather Service meteorologists. Temperatures 10-20 degrees above normal are causing ice and snow to melt rapidly, filling rivers and drainage tributaries.
Despite the problems along the Teton Pass, nearby rivers such as the Snake, Teton and Wind were only expected to approach minor flood status. However, water level rises can be unpredictable due to melting snow.
The closure of Teton Pass is a significant issue as it serves as a critical commuter route and facilitates the transport of goods and services that are lifelines to the growing regional economies in Wyoming and Idaho.
WYDOT advised travelers to sign up for updates from 511 Notify for the latest road conditions and closures. A detour will add at least an hour to a trip that used to take around 35 minutes from Jackson.
The cause of the landslide is not yet clear, but WYDOT engineers, surveyors and geologists were trying to maintain highway viability as long as possible before the catastrophic failure occurred. The roadway had been anticipated to last into Saturday before collapsing.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of infrastructure maintenance and the potential risks posed by extreme weather conditions.
