JACKSON (WNE) — On Wednesday, Gov. Mark Gordon paid what he called the highest compliment in Wyoming to teams that completed two major infrastructure projects in Teton County.

He stood in the Stilson Lot looking out at the Tetons during a ribbon cutting for the completion of the two-year Snake River Bridge project and rebuild of a section of Teton Pass that was taken out by a landslide last summer. 

A few dozen people from Teton County, across Wyoming and Idaho — from the construction workers and engineers on the ground to commissioners and officials in Cheyenne securing funds — were there to celebrate and applaud the work done on time and under budget.

Gordon referred to what his father would say after something was done perfectly: “Well, that’ll do.”

The governor was joined by Wyoming Department of Transportation Director Darin Westby, U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., Teton County Commission Chair Mark Newcomb and Ames Construction officials in applauding the job well done. 

Hageman said the Big Fill Slide reminded residents just how critical Highway 22 is to everyday life; it’s a lifeline for families, emergency responders, businesses and commuters across Teton County. She said although the pass was reopened in just three weeks, it was not a “quick fix.”

The Snake River Bridge and intersection project represented a long-term investment in the region’s future, she said.

The final price tag for the Teton Pass fix and the mudslide repair that occurred in the same week last June was $43 million, largely taken care of by federal emergency relief funds. The Snake River Bridge and intersection project cost just shy of $60 million.