The partial collapse of a roadway in Wyoming as a result of a landslide that occurred over the weekend raises serious questions about the state of the nation’s infrastructure — echoing concerns aired recently over a range of issues, from frequent water main breaks to the Baltimore bridge collapse in March. The Teton Pass is a “critical” link between Victor, Idaho, and Jackson, Wyoming. There’s no timeline for the reopening, which could take “weeks to months,” says Daniel Aldrich, director of Northeastern University’s Security and Resilience Program and co-director at the Global Resilience Institute.
Aldrich, who studies resilience and preparedness, says the incident illustrates just how vulnerable the nation’s roadways are to potential catastrophe. “The Teton Pass roadway is one of the few roads connecting these hard-to-reach areas, and for those trying to get to hospitals — this could be one of the only roads possible,” he says.
