WYO 22 Teton Pass eastbound trailer traffic will open May 1, under new restrictions

JACKSON, Wyo. – The Wyoming Department of Transportation will open up WYO 22, Teton Pass, to eastbound trailer traffic under 40,000 gross vehicle weight (GVW) starting May 1.  

WYDOT extended the seasonal trailer traffic closure of WYO 22 Teton Pass in the eastbound direction earlier this year, due to the closure of the arrestor system.  Crews have been working through the detail to provide an interim system for errant vehicles to use until the permanent modifications to the vehicle arrestor system can be finalized and installed.  

A temporary system called a “sand barrel array” will be installed within the current catch-net arrestor, within the next two to three weeks and will remain active until the permanent changes can be implemented on the arrestor. A “sand barrel array” uses a configuration of impact barrels filled with varying amounts of weight or sand to stop an errant vehicle. The barrels, filled with varying amounts of sand, disperse on impact and slow an errant vehicle, eventually stopping it.  This system is most efficient for lighter weight trucks at lower speeds. In addition, this system will not be operable until crews receive materials and install the barrels, which is estimated to take a couple weeks. 

Currently, there is only one escape ramp open on WYO 22 Teton Pass, located at milepost 8.2, which is approximately a mile above the current closed vehicle arrestor.

“We understand the need to open the pass to trailers for commerce and the local economies, so we have elected to open the pass, under these new restrictions until we can get the permanent improvements constructed on the catch-net arrestor system,”  WYDOT District Engineer Keith Compton said.  

In addition to these changes, the Wyoming Highway Patrol will be increasing patrols in the area and the Weigh-in-Motion system (WIM) on Teton Pass will be updated to flag and notify authorities of vehicles exceeding the new 40,000 pound weight restriction.  
 
Drivers can sign up for 511 Notify alerts on WYDOT's 51 website.  
 
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. 

For more information about this release contact:

Stephanie Harsha, WYDOT Public Involvement, stephanie.harsha@wyo.gov or 307-352-3065
For the latest road conditions, visit WYDOT's 511 website, call 5-1-1, or download the Wyoming 511 app.