A mountain pass has been closed indefinitely after a large section of it collapsed in a “catastrophic” landslide over the weekend.
The natural disaster occurred along a popular highway in Jackson, Wyoming, on Saturday, sending tons of debris tumbling over the cliff.
The winding pass is a major commuter link between eastern Idaho cities and the popular tourist destination, where a large section of sidewalk no longer exists.
Aerial photographs show the extent of the damage, while drone videos posted to the governor’s social media accounts show the collapse as it occurred.
As of this writing, there is still no timeline for Teton Pass to reopen, as it remains plagued by deep cracks and a large section of pavement is completely gone.
Scroll down to watch the video:
This photo provided by the Wyoming Highway Patrol shows a damaged section of the Teton Pass near Jackson, Wyoming, on Saturday.
Aerial photographs show the extent of the damage, while drone video posted to the governor’s social media accounts (seen here) shows the collapse as it occurred.
“We understand this highway is a lifeline for travelers, deliveries, access to health care and tourism, especially with limited alternatives and the summer season upon us,” the Wyoming Department of Transportation said in a statement Saturday. .
“WYDOT engineers, surveyors and geologists mobilized quickly to try to keep the road viable as long as possible, but a catastrophic failure could not be avoided.”
The bulletin went on to reveal that no one was on the road during the collapse, at kilometer 12.8.
This is due to a landslide earlier in the week that forced it to close for repairs, the transport department said, before revealing that no construction crews were injured during the event.
The road, however, “failed catastrophically” and was scarred by the hundreds of tons of rock and dirt that descended below.
During an even earlier incident on Thursday, the section also failed, closed when a crack and dip in the road created unsafe driving conditions.
A motorcyclist reportedly crashed as a result, prompting an unrelated response.
Geologists and engineers who were sent to the milestone that day noticed the crack and drop, said Stephanie Harsha, spokeswoman for District 3 of the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
It comes days after geologists and engineers were sent to the milestone to look at a crack and dip in the road, said Stephanie Harsha, spokeswoman for Wyoming Department of Transportation District 3.
However, the next day they were called to respond to a landslide a few kilometers away. This photo provided by the Wyoming Highway Patrol shows a damaged section of the Teton Pass on Saturday.
As of this writing, there is still no timeline for reopening the precarious pass, as it remains plagued by deep cracks and a large section of the pavement has completely disappeared.
The highway remains a vital artery for people who live across the border in Idaho and work in Jackson, an expensive outpost located near the popular Grand Teton National Park.
A crew of pavers temporarily patched the road, but crews were then sent to the site of the landslide early Friday, he said, resulting in the continued closure of the road.
“We were very, very lucky that no crew was injured. No equipment was damaged,” he said.
‘Engineers and geologists are now conducting geological assessments at the pass. They’ve been looking at it all day.
She did not say how long it will take to reopen the highway, nor did anyone else.
Instead, an alternate route was offered between Jackson and the Victor, Idaho area, more than 60 miles off the road for most motorists.
It will add “quite a bit to any trip,” the transportation official admitted.
Meanwhile, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon issued his own statement, saying WYDOT engineers and geologists were working frantically to develop a long-term plan to rebuild the highway, but there is no estimated time for completion. reopening.
“I am grateful for the efforts of WYDOT staff to protect public safety during this developing situation, and I am grateful that no one was injured during this incident,” the first-term Republican said.
Meanwhile, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon issued his own statement, saying WYDOT engineers and geologists were working frantically to develop a long-term plan to rebuild the highway, but there is no estimated time for completion. reopening.
The landslide at mile marker 15, seen here, had “traversed the roadway with mud and debris, overwhelming the channelized drainage ditch and culvert,” the department added.
During an even earlier incident on Thursday, the section also failed, closed when a crack and dip in the road created unsafe driving conditions. As a result, a motorcyclist crashed, prompting an unrelated response.
. Geologists and engineers who were sent to the landmark that day noticed the crack and fall, officials said. A crew of pavers temporarily patched the road, but crews were then sent to the site of the landslide early Friday, he said, prompting the continued closure of the road.
As for the landslide (seen here), it cut off both travel lanes of the highway at its widest point and was likely triggered by abnormally high spring rainfall and significant snowmelt in the area, officials said.
He reiterated how geologists and engineers were on site conducting assessments in order to “develop a long-term solution to rebuild this critical highway.”
As for the landslide, it affected both travel lanes of the highway at its widest point and was likely caused by abnormally high spring rainfall and significant snowmelt in the area, officials said.
The Teton Pass corridor remains “a critical route for commuters and facilitates the transportation of goods and services that are vital to the growing regional economies in Wyoming and Idaho,” according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
But a trip that previously took about 35 minutes is now expected to last at least 1 hour and 35 minutes.
For now, WYDOT recommended travelers sign up to receive road status updates through a state hotline.
