WILSON, Wyo. — Teton Pass travelers will soon have to pay a toll fee for each trip over the hill.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) announced on Friday, March 29 that it will begin collecting tolls west of Old Pass Road at mile marker 7 for each westbound vehicle on Wyoming Highway 22 starting in the fall.
Fees will be implemented to cover ongoing infrastructure projects like road maintenance, seasonal plow operations and avalanche mitigation. Tolls will apply to commuters and recreationists alike.
A shortfall in the state’s Transportation Financial Management Plan, due to the lengthy WY 22/390 Snake River Bridge project, prompted the Wyoming Transportation Board (WTB) to endorse sponsoring a tolling proposal for WY22 that passed unanimously in March.
Recent road construction expenses associated with the improvements in the WY22/390 corridor have exceeded budget and missed key deadlines, mostly due to poor weather and inadequate planning. The road work contract, managed by Pains Construction, based in Painesville, Minnesota, has plagued commuters and visitors since spring of 2023.
Fees collected at the toll booths will support both road infrastructure improvements and mitigate inflated expenses associated with the long-term Snake River Bridge project.
Proposed pricing for the Teton Pass Pass (TPP®) will be structured as follows:
| Distance | Price |
| Monthly Pass | $322.00 private, $22,222.22 commercial / overweight |
| Daily: Mile Marker 7 to Mile Marker 13 (Coal Creek) | $5.22 private, $222.22 commercial / overweight |
| Daily: Mile Marker 7 to Idaho State Line | $6.22 private, $322.22 commercial / overweight |
Tiffany Tarsha, communications director for WYDOT, said that the steepest highway in Wyoming is long overdue for a sliding scale fee structure. “It’s clear that most headaches for drivers on Teton Pass come from tourism congestion and project delays. With this tolling structure, we can finally achieve long term road funding solutions that speed up projects while reducing overall travel demand,” Tarsha said.
WTB is currently accepting comments on the addition of a high capacity vehicle (HOV) lane accessible to vehicles transporting five or more passengers during peak use hours. The new HOV lane will take over the existing Old Pass Road paved bike path and users will need a specific Teton Pass Pal Pass (TPPP®).
Bicyclists will be charged $2.50 for each trip up the pass, or can purchase a monthly Teton Pass Pedal Power Pass (TPPPP®) for $90. E-bike users will be charged $4.55 per trip, a portion of which will be donated to the Acquaintances of the Bridger-Teton, or can opt for the monthly Teton Pass Pedal Electro-Power Pass (TPPEPP®) for $150.
Surge pricing is also on the table, which would double fees from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The comment period for the HOV lane and surge fees runs through April 22, and will be implemented by October 1.
Tolls are on the rise across the country. On March 27, New York City approved a $15 toll for drivers entering Manhattan, along with a congestion price model that drops prices during less busy commuting hours, according to The New York Times.
“We’re always hearing residents ask us to make Wyoming more like New York City,” Tarsha said.
When asked for comment, Grumpy Jack, the Mayor of Wilson, said, “WYDOT is never right, but it’s about time they did something. People ought to think twice about ripping past our great local businesses at 35 mph on their way home from work. Maybe if they stop for a second they’ll realize they should just have a drink at the Coach before paying the toll each night.”
Local businesses like the Coach and Grumpy Jacks will offer TPP® validation, which grants free access when consumers spend $40 or more within 30 minutes of heading west on 22.
Wyoming Senator Hike Thru was supportive of the proposal, and said, “More revenue solves every problem. Prove me wrong!”
Editor’s note: If you can’t PASS-ibly believe your eyes, that’s because it’s April 1! Our beloved Teton Pass is still accessible free of charge. Happy April Fools’ from Buckrail!
