Update Oct. 20: According to Trout Unlimited Mountain West Communications Director Zoe Bommarito, drivers should expect delays on Monday, Oct. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 10, 10:15 a.m. to 11:45, 12 p.m. to 1:30, 1:45 p.m. to 2:15, 2:30 p.m. to 4 and 4:15 p.m. to 5:45. On Tuesday Oct. 24, delays will be from 8:30 a.m. to 10, 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 and then brief delays of 5-10 minutes the rest of the day. On Wednesday, drivers should expect delays from 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day.

JACKSON, Wyo. — Work to stabilize the Gros Ventre Road and the streambanks of Crystal Creek will begin Oct. 19, according to a press release from Trout Unlimited.

Drivers should expect 30-minute to hour-and-a-half delays in the area, with most of the delays between Oct. 25 and 27.

The project is a collaborative effort between Trout Unlimited, the U.S Forest Service, Teton Conservation District, Snake River Fund and Friends of Bridger-Teton. It aims to install bioengineered structures to improve road and streambank stabilization following flooding during the spring of 2017 and the microburst wind event in June 2022 that damaged the campsites and infrastructure. Volunteers have also helped to harvest local willow branches to be used for replanting and stabilization in the project construction. 

Storm damage near Crystal Creek Campground on June 12, 2022. Photo: Patrick McAlearney

“This project will protect access to fishing and public lands for our community while improving fish habitat and showcasing river and fish-friendly techniques for streambank stabilization,” said Leslie Steen, Wyoming State Director for Trout Unlimited.  

According to Trout Unlimited, “The Gros Ventre and Crystal Creek Bioengineered Stabilization Project is a project of TU’s Snake River Headwaters Initiative, an ambitious initiative to restore and protect the headwaters of the Snake River and its fishery, together with a diverse group of community, landowner and agency partners. “

Trout Unlimited also noted that the project is funded by a $40 million national partnership between Trout Unlimited and the U.S. Forest Service funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 and local Forest Service recreation funds.

Lindsay is a contributing reporter covering a little bit of everything; with an interest in local policies and politics, the environment and amplifying community voices. She's curious about uncovering the "whys" of our region and aims to inform the community about the issues that matter. In her free time, you can find her snowboarding, cooking or planning the next surf trip.