'Catastrophic' landslide obliterates Teton Pass highway in Wyoming - no timeline for reopening

A mountain pass was closed indefinitely after a huge chunk of it collapsed in a 'catastrophic' landslide over the weekend.

The natural disaster occurred over a popular highway in Jackson, Wyoming, Saturday, and sent tons of debris careening off the cliff face below.

The winding pass is an important commuter link between towns in eastern Idaho and the popular tourist destination, where a large section of the pavement is now no more.

Aerial photos show the extent of the damage, while drone video posted to the governor's social media accounts shows the collapse as it happened.

As of writing, there is still no timeline for Teton Pass's reopening - as it remains plagued with deep cracks, and the big section of the pavement disappeared altogether.

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This photo provided by Wyoming Highway Patrol shows a damaged section of Teton Pass near Jackson, Wyoming, on Saturday

Aerial photos show the extent of the damage, while drone video posted to the governor's social media accounts (seen here) shows the collapse as it happened

'We understand this highway is a lifeline for commuters, deliveries, medical care access and tourism, especially with limited alternatives and the summer season upon us,' the Wyoming Department of Transportation said in a statement Saturday    

'WYDOT engineers, surveyors and geologists mobilized quickly to try to maintain highway viability as long as possible, but catastrophic failure could not be avoided.'

The bulletin went on to reveal how no one was on the roadway during the collapse, at milepost 12.8.

That's due to of a mudslide earlier in the week that saw it shut down for repairs, the transportation department said - before revealing how no construction crews were reported injured during the event.

The road, however, 'catastrophically failed', and was left scarred by the hundreds of tons of boulders and dirt that descended below.

During an even earlier incident Thursday, the section also failed, close when a crack and a drop in the road created unsafe driving conditions.

A motorcyclist reportedly crashed as a result, spurring an unrelated response. 

Geologists and engineers who were sent to the milepost that day noticed the crack and drop, said Stephanie Harsha, a spokesperson for District 3 of the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

It comes days after geologists and engineers who were sent to the milepost to look over a crack and drop in the road, said Stephanie Harsha, a spokesperson for District 3 of the Wyoming Department of Transportation

The were however called away the next day, to address a mudslide a few miles away. This photo provided by Wyoming Highway Patrol shows a damaged section of Teton Pass Saturday

As of writing, there is still no timeline for the precarious pass's reopening - as it remains plagued with deep cracks, and the big section of the pavement disappeared altogether

The road remains a vital artery for people who live across the border in Idaho and work in Jackson, a pricey outpost located close to the popular Grand Teton National Park

 A paving crew were temporarily patched the road, but crews were then sent to the mudslide early Friday, she said - prompting the now continued road closure.

'We were very, very lucky that no crews were harmed. No equipment was damaged,' she said. 

'Now, engineers and geologists are doing geological assessments on the pass. They've been looking at it all day.'

She did not say how long it will take to reopen the road, nor did anyone else.

Instead, an alternate route between Jackson and the area of Victor, Idaho, was offered - more than 60 miles out of the way for most motorists.

It will add 'quite a bit to any commute,' the transport official conceded. 

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, meanwhile, issued his own statement - one that said WYDOT engineers and geologists were frantically working to develop a long-term plan to rebuild the roadway, but there is no estimated time for reopening. 

'I am grateful for the efforts of WYDOT staff to protect public safety during this developing situation, and am thankful no one was injured during this incident,' the first-term Republican said. 

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, meanwhile, issued his own statement - one that said WYDOT engineers and geologists were frantically working to develop a long-term plan to rebuild the roadway, but there is no estimated time for reopening

The mudslide at milepost 15, seen here, had 'breached the roadway with mud and debris, overwhelming the channeled drainage ditch and culvert,' the department added

During an even earlier incident Thursday, the section also failed, close when a crack and a drop in the road created unsafe driving conditions. A motorcyclist reportedly crashed as a result, spurring an unrelated response

. Geologists and engineers who were sent to the milepost that day noticed the crack and drop, officials said. A paving crew were temporarily patched the road, but crews were then sent to the mudslide early Friday, she said - prompting the now continued road closure

As for the landslide (seen here), it took out both travel lanes of the road at its widest point, and was likely spurred on by abnormally high spring rainfall and significant snowmelt in the area, officials said 

He reiterated how geologists and engineers were on site making assessments, meant to 'develop a long-term solution to rebuild this critical roadway.' 

As for the landslide, it took out both travel lanes of the road at its widest point, and was likely spurred on by abnormally high spring rainfall and significant snowmelt in the area, officials said.

The Teton Pass corridor remains  'a critical commuter route and facilitates the transport of goods and services that are lifelines to the growing regional economies in Wyoming and Idaho,' according to the US Department of Transportation.

But now, a trip that used to take around 35 minutes is now expected to take at the very least 1 hour and 35 minutes.

For now, WYDOT advised travelers to sign up for updates on the road's status via a state-run hotline.