WILSON, Wyo. — The Teton Pass is back in action, at long last.
A text message alert from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) went out to motorists at 12:02 pm. on Friday, June 28, announcing the opening of the road.
Drivers: remember that the new road segment possesses a sharper curve and a steeper grade, and that a speed limit of 20 mph will be enforced on the detour. Crews completed paving and striping of the 600-foot new road segment earlier this week. Trailer traffic is allowed, and the standard summer weight limit of 60,000 pounds of gross vehicle weight remains in place.
“While temporary, this detour safely reconnects communities and gives commuting families their valuable personal time back,” WYDOT Director Darin Westby said via press release. “This process underscores the vital importance of infrastructure like mountain passes that connect people to work, family, medical care, affordable housing and other necessities.”
WYDOT announced a long-term closure of the Pass on June 8, sharing that the roadway at milepost 12.8 had failed catastrophically in a landslide.
WYDOT and Evans Construction crews worked tirelessly over the last three weeks to reconnect Jackson to Teton Valley, Idaho, home to many who work in Jackson. During the closure, commuters had to take the longer route between the two communities (through Swan and Star Valleys), with driving time quadrupling for some.
