Design and Construction of Soil Nail Temporary Shoring at Teton Pass Wyoming-PPT Presentation

PPT Presentation

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On June 8, 2024, a large fill-slope failure—known as the “Big Fill” slide—washed out part of Wyoming Highway 22 near Teton Pass, a key route between Wyoming and Idaho. A mudslide the previous day had already closed another section of the highway. The closures significantly disrupted commuting, and WYDOT opened a temporary detour three weeks later.<br /><br />Working with Ames Construction and WYDOT, Keller provided temporary slope stabilization and permanent micropile support. The repair plan called for excavating the failed embankment and rebuilding it with lightweight foamed-glass fill, geogrid, improved drainage, and micropiles at the slope base.<br /><br />To stabilize the steep excavation, Keller installed 583 soil nails, generally 40–50 feet long, with geotextile and wire-mesh facing. Crews worked around the clock, completing the temporary shoring in five weeks. Five horizontal drains were added to help manage groundwater.<br /><br />For permanent support, Keller installed 140 micropiles in two groups, connected by pile caps. The micropiles included steel casing, rock sockets, and central reinforcing bars; sacrificial piles were load-tested. Ames then placed the reinforced lightweight fill to rebuild the embankment toward the original highway elevation.<br /><br />Winter weather interrupted construction in December. The project was completed in 2025, with the stabilized slope ultimately covered with soil and prepared for grassing as required by the U.S. Forest Service.

Keywords

Big Fill slide

Wyoming Highway 22

Teton Pass

landslide repair

slope stabilization

soil nails

micropiles

foamed-glass fill

temporary detour

groundwater drainage