EBS STAFF
Following what was described by officials as a “catastrophic” mudslide on Teton Pass on June 7, the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board has released an update for those planning to drive into Jackson Hole in the coming weeks.
On June 10, the Wyoming Department of Transportation announced its plan to immediately build a detour that would allow for travel from Teton County, Idaho to Teton County, Wyoming in the coming weeks while a long-term plan to rebuild the road is developed.
The temporary detour will use local fill material around the current slide area, and will be open to the public in coming weeks, likely with some weight and width restrictions. Currently, those looking to visit Jackson Hole can do so by entering through Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, via U.S. Highway 26 and U.S. Highway 89.
“Teton County, Wyoming and Teton County, Idaho are resilient and interconnected communities. During the closure of Teton Pass, both destinations will continue to deliver a world-class visitor experience while supporting the internal needs of our residents and hospitality industry,” stated Erik Dombroski, board chair of the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board in a June 10 press release. “We thank WYDOT and the road crews for working hard to access and repair the roadway as quickly as possible and connect our communities again.”
The road failure was first identified on June 6 after a “crack and drop” in the pavement caused a motorcycle accident, according to June 8 reporting by the Associated Press. Crews repaired the crack, but in the early hours of Friday, June 7, the larger mudslide occurred a few miles from the initial site.
Up-to-date information about this closure is available online from Visit Jackson Hole.
