A landslide caused the roadway at Wyoming’s Teton Pass to collapse and crumble, in what the state’s transportation department on Saturday described as a catastrophic failure.
By Thursday, a large crack had appeared in both lanes, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation said at the time. The crack had dropped vertically about 8 inches in some places, causing unsafe driving conditions, the agency said. The road was repaired and traffic resumed, but a mudslide a few kilometers away prompted the road to be closed again on Friday morning.
Crews attempted to build a detour around the damage, the transportation department said, “but the landslide continued to move and exposed the entire road.”
No crew members were injured and no equipment was damaged, the transportation department said.
It is unclear how long it will take before the road is reopened. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said the transportation department is working on “a long-term solution to rebuild the roadway.”
“I am grateful for the efforts of WYDOT personnel to protect public safety during this developing situation, and I am grateful that no one was injured during this incident,” Gordon said.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, “The Teton Pass Highway provides a critical connection for commuters and recreationalists traveling from Victor, Idaho and Jackson, Wyoming,” which is also close to Grand Teton National Park.
“I recognize the impact this closure has on Teton County residents, regional commuters and the local economy,” Gordon said.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
