Chief Joseph Scenic Highway slide active, highway remains open

Parts of the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (Wyoming 296) slid downhill overnight northwest of Cody.

The highway remains open at this time.

Thursday's slide area is in the same area where parts of the highway slid downhill last year.

Wyoming Department of Transportation personnel were on site early Thursday, assessing the situation.

"One-way traffic is in place, and by this afternoon, our maintenance workers placed concrete and water barrier along the edge of the slide," said WYDOT District Engineer Pete Hallsten. "The highway is signed for one-way traffic. We have low traffic numbers in the area and good sight distance, so we are asking drivers to watch for oncoming traffic prior to driving through the damaged area."

A 10-foot width and 48,000-pound restriction is in place for Wyoming 296 until further notice.

"Special thanks goes to our Cody maintenance crew and all WYDOT personnel for the quick response today," Hallsten said.

Hallsten said drivers are asked to drive slowly, and use care and caution driving through the area. WYDOT workers will continue monitor the slide activity of the Chief Joe Slide, which is located northwest of Cody, about 20 miles west of Wyoming 296's intersection with Wyoming 120.

For information about WYDOT's work, contact WYDOT public relations specialist Cody Beers at (307) 431-1803.