JACKSON, Wyo. — The Snake River will be diverted from the east side of the Wilson Bridge to make way for construction operations, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) announced Wednesday evening.
“If you plan to float the river under the bridge in the next six months, please be advised of this change,” WYDOT said in a press release.
The Wilson boat ramp is located on the northwest side of the bridge and is currently under construction as well. The boat ramp and access road closed for the season Oct. 2.
According to WYDOT, construction has progressed on the two piers on the west side of the bridge where there is no flow. The current channel on the east side will be diverted to flow between piers two and three. Ames Construction will build a cofferdam to create a dry workspace and begin work on piers three and four on the east side.
“Over the summer, WYDOT consulted with Teton County, Protect Our Water Jackson Hole, Snake River Fund, Rendezvous Park, adjacent landowners and others to ascertain the best way to do this,” WYDOT said. “Because the volume of water released from Jackson Dam has been reduced to its winter flow, it was decided that this time of year is best to minimize impact on the river.”
WYDOT and Ames Construction are also working with Rendevous Park to create wetlands in the park to offset the wetlands that are being removed along the roadway due to the construction. According to WYDOT, the work was part of the flow diversion agreement and began on Oct. 4. The wetlands project will continue into the fall and occur in two locations near the project, depicted below.
The flows will reportedly be restored to the original channel in the spring before high water season, but the diversion will need to be made again in the fall of 2024 for the second stage of the bridge construction. The bridge reconstruction and intersection realignment at WY22/WY390 are slated for completion by June 30, 2025.
