Teton Pass reopens ahead of schedule following 14-hour cleanup

UPDATE:

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — After a 14-hour cleanup, the Teton Pass along Wyoming Hwy. 22 is back open as of 5 PM today, December 22, the Wyoming Department of Transportation announced. WYDOT expressed its gratitude to the Idaho Transportation Department for their help clearing the pass, which originally was projected to take until 2 PM the following day.

WYDOT is directing travelers to drive cautiously and stay alert, as contract crews will work under traffic as roadside operations continue tomorrow.

For updates and alerts, click HERE.

ORIGINAL:

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — The Idaho Transportation Department is working to help crews in Wyoming in the massive task of cleaning the Teton Pass following Monday morning's avalanche mitigation.

The pass remains blocked in both directions by a substantial wall of snow after WYDOT crews brought down a large, controlled avalanche at Glory Bowl during the mitigation work. WYDOT initially closed the pass at 3 AM on December 22 to begin the mitigation work. However, due to the sheer volume of debris, officials do not expect the road to reopen until Tuesday between noon and 2:00 PM.

Recognizing the scale of the cleanup, WYDOT reached out to the ITD foreman in Driggs early Monday afternoon for reinforcements. Idaho crews are now attacking the snowbank from the western side.

"In our usual 'No Boundaries' mindset, eastern Idaho is here to help through today, tonight, and until the task is done," ITD posted to Facebook.

For updates and alerts on when the Teton Pass is open, click HERE.