Mountain pass highway falls away in catastrophic failure

The Teton Pass highway will remain closed until further notice after a section of road collapsed Saturday, county officials said. Officials first closed the road on Friday, after large cracks appeared. A construction crew was working on repairs when the road completely crumbled at milepost 12.8, said local transportation officials. None of the crew members were injured, WYDOT authorities said. The Teton Pass is a lifeline for local residents and tourists, the state’s Department of Transportation said on social media. The highway is also important to residents in nearby Idaho.

When will the road be reopened? Photos and videos show a steep dirt drop-off several yards long cutting the asphalt road in half. Officials do not have an estimated reopen date or general timeline for the road’s repair, Gov. Mark Gordon wrote on social media. The problem was caused by a series of mudslides, according to a news release from his office. Government geologists and engineers are assessing the damage to develop a long-term solution to connect the Teton Valley, the governor continued. The detour around the collapse adds about an hour to a traveler’s drive time. Gordon signed an emergency order allowing the state more resources from the Federal Highway Administration.