An early morning mudslide Friday closed Teton Pass for the second time in less than 24 hours. The Wyoming Department of Transportation closed that stretch of Wyoming Highway 22 at 4:16 a.m. with no estimated time of reopening.
Stephanie Harsha, a spokeswoman for WYDOT District 3, said the mudslide happened at milepost 15 on Highway 22. WYDOT road crews continue to clear mud and debris from both lanes of the highway, but they are "at the mercy of Mother Nature at this point."
"Every time they start clearing that debris, more keeps coming down," she told Cowboy State Daily on Friday morning. "They'll keep cleaning as it comes down."
As of 9 a.m. Friday, Harsha said there was still no estimated time for reopening.
"I don't believe there's any damage to the road, but that remains to be seen until they can get it cleaned up," she said. "But more than likely there isn't."
Widening Crack
But it was definitely significant damage that prompted WYDOT to close that same stretch of highway over the pass Thursday when a large, two-lane crack formed and created an 8-inch shelf in the road. After evaluating the damage, the pass was reopened.
The mudslide closure has now given WYDOT's crews another chance to evaluate that.
"There has been some movement since yesterday, which has damaged the patch we did," Harsha said. "Right now, they're investigating how much movement (has occurred) and what they can do to make that road drivable, but it remains to be seen until they can do further investigation."
Harsha said it's possible that evaluating and patching the crack could delay reopening Teton Pass, even after the debris from the mudslide has been cleared.
"Until we hear back from them on what can be done in the interim to get that section of roadway open again, that closure will remain in place," she said. "We're on a holding pattern right now."
Commuter Caution
WYDOT's engineers and geological teams will submit their evaluation of the cracking on Wyoming Highway 22, which will help develop interim and long-term solutions. Harsha said commuters should anticipate more temporary closures in the coming days and weeks.
The quickest way to get updates on the status of Teton Pass is WYDOT's 511 app. Drivers can sign up to get text and email updates on specific roads and highways, including Highway 22.
"Anytime that section of roadway is closed, or there are any restrictions, they'll get a text notification," Harsha said. "That's the best and fastest way to get information on that area."
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
