Teton Pass Information

Yes, stormwater drainage evaluations are a standard part of construction and will continue to be evaluated. The appropriate measures will be in place to ensure proper drainage for the temporary detour and future reconstruction.

The design of the detour addressed drainage improvements by contouring the fill to ensure no ponding of water and allowed water flows to be directed away from the temp detour. The existing contours of the original alignment lend to surface run-off to be naturally carried away from the fill. The 1969 engineers conveniently placed the roadway that did not require culverts for drainage. As an analogy, they placed the road fill at the continental divide where water to north drains one direction and the water to the south drains the opposite direction.

WYDOT geologists will continue to map, assess, and investigate the area, and additional mitigation measures will be taken to lessen the risk of failure. WYDOT engineers, geologists and planning personnel are currently researching numerous potential options for what that will look like.

The detour will be steeper with a sharper corner, so WYDOT will reduce the speed through the area to make it safer for drivers. The permanent roadway design will provide an adequate foundation and reduce weight.

WYDOT is doing a few things to make sure vehicles can safely utilize the detour through the slide area. Crews are addressing drainage concerns to ensure a more solid foundation for the road. Geologists are also mapping the site to confirm there are better native soils under the roadway. In addition, the detour road will put less weight on the active area, relieving some of the driving forces pushing on the slide zone.

• We encourage both visitors and residents to support the community by exercising additional patience and understanding to employees and businesses who may be affected by the closure.
• Stay up to date with road closure information and obey all roadside signs, traffic control devices and closures.
• Reduce the traffic on the road by using alternative transportation (bus, bike, walk) or delaying unnecessary travel.

• If you are a resident or a local business, help communicate to travelers before they arrive. Share a link to Visit Jackson Hole’s Teton Pass Closure page, where up to date information will be posted and additional resources shared.
• Connect travelers with a visitor service agent who can assist them in making alterations to their trip or route to Jackson Hole. Call a visitor service agent at (307) 733-3316.