The following is a press release form they Wyoming Department of Transportation
As temperatures warmed yesterday in the Teton Valley, so did the avalanche danger in the surrounding canyons. Last night, natural avalanches forced the Wyoming Department of Transportation to close all three canyons into Jackson, at one point.
US 189/191 in the Hoback Canyon between Bondurant and Hoback Junction closed around 2:30 a.m. last night due to natural avalanche activity. Crews were able to reopen the road this morning at about 6:30 a.m. after performing some avalanche mitigation and clean-up.
“The temperature has dropped more in the Hoback, which has helped with the avalanche danger,” WYDOT Jackson Foreman Bruce Daigle said.
However, US 189/191 Hoback Canyon remains under a “No Unnecessary Travel” advisory.
WYDOT avalanche crews are continuing to monitor WYO 22 Teton Pass and US 26/89 through the Snake River Canyon.
WYDOT maintenance crews closed WYO 22 Teton Pass around midnight due to high avalanche danger and to help remove a stuck semi truck that was in violation of the seasonal closure. WYO 22 Teton Pass remains closed and crews are currently evaluating and performing avalanche control measures on major slide paths and several isolated bank areas.
WYDOT also closed US 26/89 Snake River Canyon last night around midnight after an avalanche was reported at mile marker 120 that covered both lanes of travel. It remains closed due to high avalanche danger.
“We are watching the Snake River Canyon closely. An opening time will depend on what the temperature does,” Daigle said.
Daigle spoke with SVI Radio this morning about the Snake River Canyon closure. You can hear the full conversation at svinews.com/radio.
Although WYDOT continues to plow the road and pull resources from other areas, travelers should prepare for the extended closure of Teton Pass and possibly the Snake River Canyon.
Drivers can sign up for 511 Notify alerts at https://www.wyoroad.info/511/511NotifyAnnouncement.html.
WYDOT would like to remind drivers to slow down in winter conditions, and obey all roadside signs and closures.
For more information on road closures and weather conditions, please visit http://www.wyoroad.info.
