JACKSON, Wyo. — After a nearly two-month closure, the Red Bridge south of town that connects Highway 26/89 to Snake River Sporting Club (SRSC), residential homes and Astoria Park Conservancy is open as of Feb. 3.
In an email to Buckrail, Christopher Swann, CEO of Cygnus Capital Inc., the company that owns the Snake River Sporting Club, said, “the weight limit is only 10,000 lbs and the height limit is 8’2.” Cars must proceed over the bridge one at a time and violators will be fined.
The bridge is owned and operated by the SRSC Improvement and Service District (ISD), an elected board, chosen by the residents of SRSC. Swann also sits on the ISD Board.
“There are protective barriers at each end of the bridge and video surveillance,” Swann said in the email.
According to Swann, the ISD Board is in the middle of evaluating long-term repairs or replacement options and will work with stakeholders as the process unfolds.
On Dec. 8, 2022, a too-tall semi-truck struck the bridge’s frame, causing structural damage. The bridge was deemed unsafe for all users following the accident. The Bridger-Teton National Forest issued a special use permit for Johnny Count’s access route for SRSC employees, property owners and contractors.
The Bridger-Teton National Forest issued an updated permit to the ISD for the use of the access road until April 1. Evan Guzik, Public Affairs Specialist for Bridger-Teton National Forest said the expiration date of April 1 is based on the shift in seasons.
“We can reassess and make sure the conditions on the road reflect the use,” Guzik said.
The access road has a weight limit of 35,000 lbs. Guzik said the weight restriction was issued to align with the weight limit on Hoback Junction Road South, the county road that connects Johnny Counts to Highway 89 and SRSC’s Temp Road.
According to the permit, “only vehicles that do not meet the weight or height capacity of the most recent red Astoria bridge repair are permitted to use Johnn Coutns Forest Emergency Access road.”
The emergency access route historically has been used as an administrative access-only route that has been permitted in specific cases.
With the bridge open, Astoria Park Conservancy was able to reopen its doors for access to the Hot Springs as of last Wednesday, Feb. 8. The springs will now be open every day except Thursdays with three soaking sessions. Vehicles above 10,000 lbs or over 8’2”, should contact Astoria for further directions.
“We are thrilled to welcome guests back to Astoria for our unique soaking and community gathering experiences this winter season. Our hot springs pools and wellness programs offer a host of health benefits to residents and visitors in a thoughtful and engaging way. We are excited to finally begin activating our 2023 programs and look forward to expanding our membership, wellness and educational offerings in the very near future,” said the park in a press release announcing its reopening.
Executive Director of Astoria Park Conservancy, Paige Curry, previously explained to Buckrail that closures and uncertainty are nothing new for the non-profit. Curry explained that the facility has been forced to close six times since its 2020 opening and highlighted the park’s resiliency due to private philanthropy both large and small.
The bridge was previously damaged by a different semi-truck in June 2021.
