Temporary Teton Pass Fix Will Open Friday

Teton Pass, which was closed by a landslide on a hairpin turn, should reopen this Friday.

If all goes well, a tighter turn with a lower speed limit will take drivers around the troubled area that is still under long-term repair.

“It’s a proud day, the culmination of several weeks of hard work and professionalism,” said WYDOT Director Darin J. Westby.

Despite some media speculation, the temporary fix was no more than an inconvenience to tourists and those who commute to Jackson for work.

Teton Pass WYO 22 update:  We are getting closer! 

Paving is underway!  (WYDOT).

Below is a rendering released by WYDOT showing how they have shortened.

As folks use the new, temporary fix work will continue on the collapsed section of the road.

Repairing the old section will not be easy and it will take a little over a year to complete at current estimates.

The fix goes beyond filling in the slide.

The cause of the slide is being addressed with new drainage ideas to keep the flow of water from causing another collapse.

The cause of the damage was nothing new or unexpected

Road collapses along with mudslides and rock slides from above are common are common on mountain roads all over the world.

Mountains, especially young ones like the Tetons, are always shifting and moving and road crews are always waiting to deal with the next problem.

Below is what the temporary fix currently looks like.

There will probably be a little fanfare when the detour opens.

There will be a lot of relief from those who work in Jackson and live in Idaho.

Teton Pass cuts their daily commute down to about a half hour, one way.

That's much better than the two or more hours, one way, that it's currently taking.