Asphalt laid, check. Traffic resumed, check. With Highway 22 over Teton Pass once again functioning under a short-term fix, all those involved took a moment Tuesday to receive congratulations from the state’s highest-ranking official.
In excess of 65 Wyoming Highway Department of Transportation workers and construction crew members from participating contractors Evans, HK and Avail were on hand at the Elks Club in Jackson, Wyoming to be recognized for their monumental efforts.
It was the first time all involved had gathered in one place in a collegial environment without a back-up beeper going off.
Along with road crew heroes were numerous local and state elected officials including the governor himself.
Gov. Gordon thanked all involved “from the bottom of our hearts” and spoke on the importance of the highway pass and lauded the coordinated efforts of county, state and federal agencies.
“By working together, incredible work can happen,” Gordon said.
The governor paved the way for access to millions of dollars in federal money with his declaration of an emergency less than 24 hours after the landslide. The Federal Highway Administration’s involvement was noted as crucial by several WYDOT representatives.
Fast fix feted
A 200-foot section of highway sheared completely away from a heavily-trafficked mountain pass on June 8. Remarkably, the crucial commuter corridor was back up and functioning in less than three weeks.
A long-term solution is already underway. Highway department officials plan to rebuild the section of mountainside that collapsed and put the road back essentially where it was.
Senator Mike Gierau helped organized the event to celebrate and recognize the around-the-clock effort put forth by road crews during the 20-day siege.
“Wyoming is an incredible state, and what continues to resonate is our ability to come together and achieve great things, support and lift each other up, and collaborate,” Sen. Gierau said.
WYDOT director Darin Westby gave remarks thanking each entity as well as elected officials who stepped up to offer their assistance. Westby also highlighted the efforts of resident engineer Bob Hammond, and the rest of department employees who worked alongside Evans, HK and Avail Construction.
Senator Tara Nethercott said the luncheon was “a joyous occasion celebrating the hard work of many individuals who came together to respond to the crisis on behalf of their community and Wyoming.”
Jake Nichols can be reached at jake@cowboystatedaily.com.
