JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Teton Pass has closed due to a reported avalanche. It is not yet known what caused it. WYDOT is on-scene and trying to get it cleared open again. Estimated time for that is unknown.
Meanwhile at the other end of the valley, the park is working on opening US89 between Moose and Moran. Progress has been slow-going but encouraging.
Work began at 6am with rotary and plow equipment. Road crews have been encountering up to 8-foot high solid drifts covering the entire width of the highway.
“We are working hard to punch through and get the road open as soon as safely possible,” officials from Grand Teton National Park stated.
UPDATE: Teton Pass has reopened.
Progress on Highway 89
Road crews continue to work on the Moose to Moran section of road and will into the late evening tonight. More high winds today caused blowing snow to fill in behind rotary equipment as it passes by. That, and the record amount of snow makes for road clearing that takes more time, more space, and more equipment to move the snow. To further complicate matters, road crews ran into 40 winter-stressed bison gathered on the highway. This delayed and complicated their work. The bison were helped safely south and off the highway. Plow crews are working hard to have the road open for safe travel around noon tomorrow.
