Beartooth Highway opening delayed by snow, ice

Associated Press

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A spring storm bearing snow and ice has delayed the reopening of the Beartooth Highway connecting Yellowstone National Park and Red Lodge, Mont.

The highway was to open Friday morning, but park officials say it might not be ready all day.

Snow and ice also delayed the opening of the road over Dunraven Pass inside the park. All other park roads and entrances have opened for the season.

Yellowstone officials expected plowing to be delayed by two weeks because of federal budget cuts, but the Wyoming Department of Transportation used money raised by local communities to avoid delays.

Jackson contributed $70,000.

Wyoming 70 over Battle Pass in south-central Wyoming opened Friday. Wyoming 130 over the Snowy Range opened Thursday.