On Tuesday, officials from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) provided an update on the Teton Pass collapse. The transportation agency hopes to complete a rebuild of the collapsed section by November.
According to a press release, a $430,000 contract was approved to build a detour that is scheduled to be completed in two weeks. Teton Pass will remain closed as crews construct the detour.
Wyoming transportation commissioners approved the WYDOT contract with Evans Construction to build the detour. The detour will run to the side of the landslide through part of Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
The planned detour will have weight and trailer restrictions. Vehicles over 60,000 pounds or with a trailer will not be able to use the detour.
According to WYDOT, the transportation agency is working with the U.S. forest Service and other agencies to get options for reconstruction.
Crews have been drilling into the landslide area to gather soil samples to better understand what caused it. That data will help for potential reconstruction.
“Crews continue to manage the mudslide at milepost 15, and geologists and engineers are working on a plan to provide more drainage to the affected area by installing a box culvert,” WYDOT said. “They are planning to do this work simultaneously with the temporary detour work at milepost 12.8.”
A complete rebuild of the road is expected to be completed by November. The planning process is still underway. There is currently no proposed design or cost estimate.
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Source: Wyoming Public Media, KTVX
