Final paving work on the Big Fill Slide will close Teton Pass for the weekend of June 21

News and Adventure from Glacier National Park

The Wyoming Department of Transportation will be entering the final phases of work this month on the Big Fill Slide on Teton Pass. As crews pave the final stretch of new roadway, WYDOT will need to close the road to traffic for the weekend of June 21. The closure is planned to begin the evening of June 20, at 6 p.m. and will run through Saturday and Sunday, opening back up on Monday, June 23 at 6 a.m.

Crews will work 24 hours a day, with an hour by hour schedule to expedite the work. During the closure, drivers will have to detour around Teton Pass using US 26 through Swan Valley and then into the Snake River Canyon.

During the closure, WYDOT and crews will be milling, grading, placing crushed base, paving, installing guardrail and signs. WYDOT came to the decision after weighing alternative schedules with the contractor, discussing how they could accommodate the work with the least amount of impact on drivers and commuters.

“We really only had two options. We could do the work under a lane closure, which would only give drivers one, alternating lane of travel for ten days or more. If we did that, it would cause extensive delays and wait times for drivers for weeks, backing up traffic on the mountain every day. Those delays would likely be longer than the detour around during commuter times. After discussing with the contractor and local stakeholders, we thought it was best for the community if we just close the road and get the work done quickly in one weekend,” WYDOT resident engineer Bob Hammond said.

WYDOT and the contractor are confident the work can be completed in a single weekend, but unpredictable weather and other unforeseen variables could necessitate last-minute changes to the plans. WYDOT remains committed to updating the public with timely information and recommends that drivers who travel the area sign up for 511 Notify Text alerts to receive up-to-date information about the work. Drivers can sign up for 511 Notify at 511Notify.

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com