A landslide that wiped out a vital two-lane road in western Wyoming is causing significant disruptions for commuters at the start of the Yellowstone region’s busy summer season. The closure of Wyoming Highway 22 between Jackson, Wyoming, and eastern Idaho has left thousands of workers who commute between the two areas facing longer and more expensive journeys. While park access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks remains unimpeded, the closure of this highway has created challenges for those who rely on it for daily travel.
The closure of the highway was preceded by signs of instability, including a crack that opened on Thursday before a mudslide forced a temporary closure. Fortunately, the highway was empty when it collapsed into a ravine on Saturday. Landslides are not uncommon in mountainous regions, but the uncertainty surrounding when the highway will reopen is a major concern for commuters who rely on it for their daily journeys.
Teton County, Wyoming, where the affected highway is located, is known for its high cost of living, with the average single-family home priced at over $7 million. Many essential workers, including teachers and health care professionals, commute from more affordable communities in eastern Idaho to work in Jackson. The closure of the highway has added additional travel time and expenses for these commuters, who are now facing longer and more challenging journeys to reach their workplaces.
Short-term solutions are being explored to address the commuter crisis caused by the highway closure. The Teton Raptor Center is working with local supporters to find temporary accommodation for employees who face longer commutes. The county is considering opening more areas for workers to camp and making commuter buses free of charge to alleviate the transportation burden. Efforts are also underway to ensure that bus services are efficient and to focus on enabling more workers to live locally to reduce the impact of such emergencies in the future.
Reopening and rebuilding the highway will take weeks, but not months, according to the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Governor Mark Gordon has declared an official emergency to access additional resources for repair work. Engineers and geologists are assessing the site to determine the best approach to temporarily solve the road closure. The focus is on ensuring the safety of workers and preventing future landslides. Despite the challenges ahead, residents and commuters are adapting to the situation and working together to navigate the disruptions caused by the closure of the vital highway.
