JACKSON, Wyo. — Construction drilling taking place on the Pathway along North US89 during the week of June 17 could cause delays and/or possible closures, Teton County announced on Thursday, June 13.
Next week, contractors will be working near the pathway between milepost 155.1 at the edge of Town, and the border of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) at milepost 158.7, to gather geotechnical information that will be used to help with the design and feasibility of the proposed North US89/Fish Hatchery wildlife crossing. As part of the Teton County Wildlife Crossings 30% Design Project, contractors will drill vertical boreholes and collect soil samples.
Pathway users are asked to adhere to closure signs and/or flagging operations while accessing the North US89 pathway. Any full closures are estimated to be temporary in duration, around 5 minutes, while equipment is being moved. Contractors plan to finish in one day, but work is dependent on drilling conditions and progress.
According to Teton County, the North US89/Fish Hatchery has been identified in the Wildlife Crossings Master Plan as one of the top three priority areas for wildlife crossings in Teton County. This area experiences an average of 12.2 wildlife-vehicle collisions per year: 61% mule deer, 28% elk and 8% moose.
In 2022, Teton County allocated voter approved SPET funds to design three priority wildlife crossings that were identified in the Wildlife Crossings Master Plan: Camp Creek, Teton Pass and North US89 between the GTNP boundary and the Town of Jackson. More information on the project can be seen here.
