The Teton Pass collapsed in the most economically unequal county in the country
Highway 22 closure in Wilson, Wyoming, caused by climate change-induced snowmelt, disrupts Teton Pass commute. Teton County faces economic inequality, housing challenges, and conservation vs. development conflicts, revealing governance failures.
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In Wilson, Wyoming, the closure of Highway 22 due to a catastrophic failure on June 8 disrupted the daily commute over Teton Pass, impacting thousands of commuters. The collapse was attributed to climate change-induced rapid snowmelt and unstable mountainsides. Teton County, known for its natural beauty and conservation efforts, faces socioeconomic challenges exacerbated by tourism and luxury home construction. The closure highlighted the county's economic inequality, with a small percentage of families claiming the majority of income. The community struggles with unaffordable housing, forcing many essential workers to commute long hours. Despite some local efforts to assist affected individuals, the situation underscores the failure of local government to address development issues and preserve the area's unique ecosystem. The incident also revealed the limits of growth in the region and the ongoing tensions between conservation and development interests. Residents express frustration over the lack of solutions to current development problems and fear further unsustainable growth in the future.
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2 commentshttps://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691176673/bi...
The bad news is I don't see any satisfactory solution to these problems. The good news is it's a problem I'll never be lucky enough to have.
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