CODY, Wyo. — Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) has planned to temporarily take over maintenance of the section of highway near Cooke City Montana.

Maintenance of the nine-mile segment of HWY 212 near the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National park has traditionally been the responsibility of the Park Service.

However, since June’s Yellowstone flood events closed off sections of road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Cooke City, WYDOT has offered to plow and maintain the section of road from the east side of the park, HWY 296 to Cooke City until the necessary repairs to HWY 212 are complete.

The Park Service has a tentative date to repair date to HWY 212 from Mammoth to Cooke City for Oct. 16. “We want to make sure those people aren’t stuck on an Island,” said WYDOT public involvement specialist Cody Beers. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Toby Koekkoek is a Community News Reporter, and a recent resident of Teton Valley. He enjoys writing about our region's community events and the movers and shakers that make up the culture of this unique mountain town. He enjoys deep powder, and deep thoughts, skateboarding, playing racquet sports, riding his bike, and nerding out on music. Toby also coaches freeride skiing for the Jackson Hole Ski Club and runs skateboard camps in the summer.