Work on Snake River Canyon Continues
Most of the slide debris has been removed from US 26-89 in the Snake River Canyon southwest of Jackson, but significant work remains to improve drainage and repair the highway before it can be reopened. Completion of the debris removal revealed the full extent of a trench the slide debris and water cut across the highway. The trench measures as much as 50 feet wide and seven feet deep. WYDOT District Engineer John Eddins says the trench eroded across the road is in the same location we knew we were going to have to put in a large drainage pipe, and it’s wide enough that we could divert the water and debris flow to the east side of the trench and prepare a bed for the drainage pipe on the west side. Crews planned to install the pipe late Thursday. Work also will be required to channel the water and debris still flowing above and across the road into the pipe.