Industry News
Updated June 19, 2025 at 7:14 a.m. PT
In early June 2024, a catastrophic landslide caused a massive section of Teton Pass Road (Wyoming Highway 22) to collapse near milepost 12.8, severing a vital commuter route between eastern Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) had been monitoring deep cracks that first appeared days earlier, but overnight, the shifting of the earth overwhelmed efforts to stabilize the area. The collapse left a gaping void in the roadway, disrupting local commutes, deliveries, emergency access, and tourism just as the busy summer season began. Aerial footage showed a twisted, fractured road with entire sections swallowed by the ravine below.
The sudden closure forced detours of over 60 miles for daily commuters and reignited conversations around building a tunnel through Teton Pass—an idea long considered but never realized due to cost and feasibility concerns. In the aftermath, Governor Mark Gordon declared a state of emergency to unlock federal repair funds, and WYDOT emphasized its commitment to restoring the road safely and effectively.
The road reopened three weeks later with a temporary 600-foot detour with reduced speeds and weight limits, while construction crews worked toward a permanent fix.
Now, nearly a year later, repair work is entering its final phase. To complete critical paving and safety upgrades, WYDOT will fully close Highway 22 from 6 p.m. Friday, June 27 through 6 a.m. Monday, June 30. During that time, crews will be working around the clock to finish the job as quickly as possible. Originally the work was scheduled to be done June 20-23, but recent rainfall in the area had put crews behind schedule.
The closure is a key step in restoring the crucial commuter link between Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming. WYDOT says the weekend-long shutdown is the most efficient option. A partial lane closure would have caused alternating one-lane traffic for up to 10 days, leading to long delays and congestion throughout the region. “We know the community is tired of waiting,” WYDOT engineer Bob Hammond told Local News 8. “Closing it fully for a weekend allows us to knock it out quickly and reduce the overall disruption.”
Drivers will need to take a detour through Swan Valley along U.S. Highway 26 and into the Snake River Canyon during the closure. Work planned for the weekend includes milling, grading, laying a new crushed base, paving, and installing guardrails and signage.
The weekend closure is a major milestone in the full recovery from last year’s landslide. WYDOT is urging patience from the public just a little longer. “We’re almost there,” Hammond said. “Once this is done, people will be driving on a new, safer section of road.”
While vehicle traffic will be restricted, some access will remain for hikers and cyclists. The road will be closed to cars at the Coal Creek Campground on the west side and near mile marker 7 on the east side. Recreational users can still reach the campground and summit areas but are strongly advised to avoid the active work zone and to stay alert for heavy equipment.
WYDOT is optimistic it will finish within the weekend window but note that weather or other unforeseen issues could force changes to the schedule. Updates and alerts are available via the state’s 511 Notify system.
