Teton Pass closure rescheduled to June 27-30 to complete Big Fill fix
Seth Ratliff
UPDATE:
The following is a press release from the Wyoming Department of Transportation:
TETON COUNTY, Wyo (KIFI) —The Wyoming Department of Transportation and contract crews from Ames Construction have rescheduled the weekend closure for Wyoming State Highway 22, Teton Pass, from the weekend of June 21 to the weekend of June 28, due to weather delays and scheduling conflicts.
Crews are entering the final phases of work this month and as crews pave the final stretch of new roadway, WYDOT will need to close the road to traffic for the weekend of June 28. The closure is planned to begin the evening of June 27, at 6 p.m. and will run through Saturday and Sunday, opening back up on Monday, June 30 at 6 a.m. The hourly work schedule will remain the same, and crews will work 24 hours a day to expedite the work. During the closure, drivers will have to detour around Teton Pass using US 26 through Swan Valley and then into the Snake River Canyon.
During the closure, WYDOT and crews will be milling, grading, placing crushed base, paving, and installing guardrail and signs. WYDOT came to the decision after weighing alternative schedules with the contractor, discussing how they could accommodate the work with the least amount of impact on drivers and commuters.
“We had some rain recently that put us behind schedule, and we wanted to make sure the crews were absolutely ready for the compressed weekend schedule. We didn’t want to schedule the closure during the week and disrupt commuters, so we opted to move the work to the following weekend,” WYDOT resident engineer Bob Hammond said.
During the weekend closure, WYO 22 will be closed to vehicles at the Coal Creek Campground on the west side of the pass and closed to vehicles at the mile marker 7 road closure gate on the east side of the pass. During that time, bicyclists and recreationalists will still have access to Coal Creek Campground on the west side, as well as access to the top of Teton Pass from the east side. However, WYDOT asks that those walking or biking be cautious and aware of heavy trucks traveling to and from the work site and not to descend west toward the construction site.
WYDOT and the contractor are confident the work can be completed in a single weekend, but unpredictable weather and other unforeseen variables could necessitate last-minute changes to the plans. WYDOT remains committed to updating the public with timely information and recommends that drivers who travel the area sign up for 511 Notify Text alerts to receive up-to-date information about the work. Drivers can sign up for 511 Notify at 511Notify.
“I know that rescheduling the work will impact people’s daily lives, but we want to be sure we are ready when the weekend comes,” Hammond said.
ORIGINAL:
TETON COUNTY, Wyo (KIFI) — Nearly a year after the devastating Big Fill landslide, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is entering the final stages of repairs on Wyoming State Highway 22. To complete the crucial paving work and other essential tasks, the Teton Pass will undergo a full closure later this month, marking a significant step towards full restoration.
The pass is scheduled to close to all traffic at 6 PM on Friday, June 20, and is expected to reopen by 6 AM on Monday, June 23. WYDOT and its contractors will be working around the clock, with crews operating 24 hours a day on an expedited, hour-by-hour schedule to ensure the work is completed swiftly.
During the closure, WYDOT is directing drivers to take an alternate route along US 26 through Swan Valley and then into the Snake River Canyon.
The project demands extensive work, including milling, grading, placing crushed base, paving, and installing guardrails and signs. WYDOT says they’ve weighed various scheduling options with the contractor to minimize impact on drivers and commuters before deciding on the temporary full closure.
“We really only had two options. We could do the work under a lane closure, which would only give drivers one, alternating lane of travel for ten days or more,” said WYDOT resident engineer Bob Hammond. “If we did that, it would cause extensive delays and wait times for drivers for weeks, backing up traffic on the mountain every day.”
Hammond emphasized that these delays would likely be longer than the detour during peak commuter times. “After discussing with the contractor and local stakeholders, we thought it was best for the community if we just close the road and get the work done quickly in one weekend,” he stated.
Access to remain open to bikes and hikers
While vehicle traffic will be halted along the highway, people recreating in the area will still have some access. WYO 22 will be closed to vehicles at the Coal Creek Campground on the west side of the pass and at the mile marker 7 road closure gate on the east side.
Bicyclists and other recreational users will still have access to Coal Creek Campground from the west side, as well as access to the top of Teton Pass from the east side. However, WYDOT is urging those hiking or biking to exercise extreme caution and be aware of heavy trucks traveling to and from the work site. They are also advised not to descend west toward the construction area.
WYDOT and their contractor, Ames Construction, are confident they’ll be able to complete the work within a single weekend. However, they caution that unpredictable weather conditions and other unforeseen variables could impact those plans, making last-minute changes necessary.
For information on closures or to sign up for 511 Notify Text alerts, click HERE.
This upcoming closure marks a critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to fully restore the vital Teton Pass route, nearly one year after the initial Big Fill slide event. For more information, click HERE.
“We know how this has impacted the commuters in the area. We are asking for your support and patience one more time. We’re almost there, and soon the public will be driving on the new, paved alignment after the closure,” Hammond said.
