A landslide in the Teton mountains has caused a major disruption for travelers and businesses in the area, as a section of a highway linking Idaho to Jackson, Wyo., was destroyed, forcing authorities to close the road indefinitely just as the summer tourism season was beginning.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation reported that no one was injured when the Teton Pass section of the highway “catastrophically failed” on Saturday. The closure comes after crews had been working to build a detour around a section where a crack had appeared in the surface days earlier.
Governor Mark Gordon of Wyoming acknowledged the challenges posed by the closure, stating that geologists and engineers would need to develop a long-term solution to rebuild the roadway. The closure is expected to have a significant impact on the area, as the road serves as a vital link for commuters, deliveries, medical care access, and tourism.
The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce has advised travelers that they can still reach the Jackson area from the west by taking alternative routes through the Snake River Canyon, but this detour adds significant driving time. The closure comes after a series of events, including cracks in the road surface and a separate mudslide, led to the initial closure of the highway.
The Transportation Department is working to clear the mud and debris from the road, but the long-term closure is expected to have a lasting impact on the region’s travel and tourism industry. As crews continue to assess the damage and work on a solution, businesses and travelers are left to navigate the challenges of finding alternative routes in the peak of the summer season.
