TL/DR –
A section of Wyoming’s Route 22, between Jackson and the Idaho border, was destroyed by a mudslide. The road was initially closed for repairs before being temporarily patched and reopened. However, continued movement at milepost 12.8 led to the road’s catastrophic failure, leading to a long-term closure and detour construction efforts.
Wyoming Highway Section Collapses Due to Mudslide Near Idaho Border
In a shocking development, a major section of a Wyoming highway was obliterated by a mudslide, leading to a gaping hole where Teton Pass once stood. This highway, a significant connector between Jackson, Wyoming, and the Idaho border, was first temporarily closed on Thursday due to road damage, according to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT).
WYDOT reported that the road was initially patched and opened briefly. Unfortunately, a subsequent mudslide on Friday covered a part of the road and eroded sections beneath it. Road crews are now developing a temporary solution to stabilize the slide area by removing the asphalt to alleviate the weight on the unstable ground, aiming to reduce the driving force behind the movement.
However, by Friday evening, the newly patched sections of the road revealed fresh cracks. By Saturday, the mudslide had completely swept away the critical section at milepost 12.8. Consequently, the section of the highway has catastrophically failed, leading to an extended closure, as confirmed by WYDOT.
WYDOT crews and other contracted workers are currently constructing a detour around the damage. Despite the landslide’s continuous movement and the complete road collapse, no crew members were injured, and no equipment was damaged. This incident underlines the severe impact of natural disasters on interstate travel and transport infrastructure.
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