Spring might be in full swing across most of the country, but road crews in Wyoming and Montana are facing a brutal reality check. The annual battle to reopen the scenic Beartooth Highway is officially underway, and the Montana Department of Transportation is currently using heavy machinery to carve through massive 15-foot snowdrifts.
Photo by Maleo Photography on Getty Images
The High-Alpine ChallengeConnecting southwest Montana to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park, U.S. Highway 212 is one of the highest paved roads in North America, peaking at a staggering 10,947 feet. Because of this extreme alpine elevation, the 64-mile stretch closes every winter under dozens of feet of snow.Rebuilding the InfrastructureHowever, do not expect an early trip. Plowing is only half the battle. Once the pavement is clear, crews must complete essential safety repairs, fix damaged asphalt, and reinstall protective guardrails that are purposefully dismantled every autumn to prevent destruction from winter snow chutes.The official target opening date is locked in for May 22, just in time for the busy Memorial Day holiday weekend. Drivers planning an early-season road trip s …
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Author: Kyle Edward
