US 26-89 reopens after land movement causes damage

The Wyoming Department of Transportation reopened US 26-89 through the Snake River Canyon, but crews will continue to monitor land movement in the area.

The movement is about 2 miles south of Hoback Junction. Maintenance crews noticed large fissures as wide as 4 inches and as deep as 2 feet in the pavement in the Deer Creek Landside Mitigation area near milepost 139, which created extensive road damage to the section.

In anticipation of the road damage, WYDOT mobilized equipment and crews and put together a plan for a temporary detour around the shoulder to maintain two-way traffic, if possible.  WYDOT crews went to work Friday to construct the detour, which they completed today.

WYDOT Maintenance Foreman Bruce Daigle said the movement is caused by saturated material under the pavement, due to the unusually high amounts of precipitation the area received through the winter.

WYDOT geologists have been on site and will continue to measure and monitor the movement of the road.

WYDOT is advising travelers to use extreme caution when traveling through this area and to be prepared for potential delays. WYDOT will not hesitate to close the canyon again if conditions deteriorate and become unsafe for the traveling public.  Motorists should allow for ample time to reach your destination and obey all advisories and closures.

WYDOT would like to remind drivers to slow down when driving in adverse conditions, be alert and cautious of roadside workers and obey all traffic control devices.

For the latest information on road closures and other travel information, motorists can visit WYDOT's 511 Travel Information web page.

For more information concerning WYDOT activities, contact Stephanie Harsha, public involvement specialist, WYDOT District 3, (307) 352-3065.