12/20/2007
Mollie McCarty
ITD Chief External Affairs Officer
208-334-8804
mollie.mccarty@itd.idaho.gov
Idaho 21 closed; ITD crews monitor area's weather and avalanche conditions
BOISE - Idaho 21 between the Grandjean junction and Banner summit may remain closed through the weekend, depending on weather conditions, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
More than a foot of snow has accumulated in the area over the last 24 hours, with more snow falling at this time and expected over the weekend. The highway was closed at approximately 6 p.m. last night and several avalanches have covered the roadway with snow.
Transportation department crews are removing some snow from the roadway where conditions allow, and monitoring weather forecasts. The closure will remain in effect until conditions are safe for motorists.
Idaho 21 is a regional route between Stanley and the Treasure Valley. The 9-mile section of the highway between the Banner summit and the Grandjean junction, called Canyon Creek, has numerous documented avalanche chutes. Idaho 21 between the Banner summit and the Grandjean junction experiences about 90 percent of the avalanches in the state.
Motorists seeking alternate routes to the Stanley area are advised to use Idaho 75 or U.S. 20. From Mountain Home, U.S. 20 heads in a northeast direction and connects with Idaho 75. Idaho 75 then heads north through Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum and the Sun Valley area. From Twin Falls, motorists can take U.S. 93 to the north. U.S. 93 turns into Idaho 75 and heads north through the same communities.
During the winter months, the Idaho Transportation Department advises motorists to monitor road conditions by visiting www.511.idaho.gov or calling 511.