Date: June 29, 2017
Contact: Denise Germann, 307.739.3393
MOOSE, WY —The Gros Ventre/Kelly Road in Grand Teton National Park is open to traffic, with an alternating one-lane of traffic in the erosion-affected area managed by a lighted traffic control system. All motor vehicles, as well as bicycle riders, are reminded to obey traffic control devices. For safety purposes, no parking, stopping or walking is allowed in the vicinity of the affected area. There are no weight restrictions for the one-lane traffic, but the speed limit through the area is reduced.
Grand Teton National Park Superintendent David Vela said, “My sincere thanks goes to park staff, local contractors at Nelson Engineering and Fish Creek Excavating, and our partners at Wyoming Department of Transportation and Federal Highways for their dedicated and timely response to this incident.”
The historic and significant amount of snowmelt and runoff caused major erosion to the Gros Ventre River bank and affected the road. River water flow needed to decrease before the situation could be safely and adequately accessed by park staff and other subject-matter experts.
Vela said, “We greatly appreciate the patience of our neighbors in Kelly and the surrounding area, the campground concessioners with Grand Teton Lodge Company, and others that were affected by the road closure during the last month.” Approximately 4.5 miles of the Gros Ventre Road were closed on June 6 prompting a reroute of traffic along the Antelope Flats Road.
The alternating one-lane of traffic and some riverbank stabilization is the first of three phases in the park’s response to the situation. The second phase of the plan is to provide additional stabilization and create a two-lane bypass. The third phase includes re-establishing the river bank and permanent realignment of the road.
Please note: High water has also affected the River Road, located off of the Teton Park Road in the park. The River Road is currently closed to vehicle and bicycle traffic. It is unknown when the road may be accessible.
