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Rock patrol removes vagrant boulder from Idaho 52
Spring thaws sometimes loosen rocks and debris from hillsides above the highways, depositing material in travel lanes. The latest victim in District 3 was Idaho 52. Maintenance crews last week needed to bring in a front-end loader to push a boulder back to the highway shoulder. Removal took about an hour. The rock, at least five feet by four feet by 2.5 feet and estimated to weigh about one ton, came to rest on Idaho 52, about 12 miles from Horseshoe Bend. It was discovered about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday (May 15). Such boulders pose a double threat -- they could fall onto or roll into a passing vehicle or they could be hit by unsuspecting drivers. The incident reinforces the value of ITD's rock patrols in slide-prone areas and quick responses by maintenance crews to ensure safety for travelers. Published 5-24-13 |
Motorists occasionally find more than other vehicles on Idaho's highways.