2/4/2008
ITD crews removing avalanche debris from U.S. 12; route still closed
LEWISTON - Avalanche control experts working with the Idaho Transportation Department used explosives this weekend to bring down unstable snow above U.S. 12 between Lewiston and Missoula, Mont.
The avalanche experts under contract to ITD arrived Saturday morning and inspected the avalanche area from the air to assess safety. It was determined to be safe to conduct blasting on a ridge line above the avalanche area. A vehicle-mounted Avalauncher was used to direct explosives at unstable snow accumulations, explained Doral Hoff, ITD's District 2 maintenance engineer in Lewiston.
The highway remains closed between Lowell and the Lolo Pass summit because a series of four avalanches covered the highway Thursday night and Friday morning. The closure is from milepost 99 to the Lolo rest area near the Idaho-Montana state line, milepost 174. Access is closed to the public at Lowell on the west and at the summit to the east.
Twelve semi-trucks became stranded Thursday night when the first avalanche covered the highway and made it impassable. Three other avalanches also occurred Thursday night or Friday morning. No one was injured in the avalanche, although a loaded lumber truck was pushed into the Lochsa River.
He expects crews to begin removing snow and debris from the highway Tuesday if conditions allow and hopes the route will be reopened late this week, depending on favorable weather.
We are working hard to reopen the highway as soon as we can safely do so. In the meantime, we appreciate the patience and understanding of the public.
The alternate route for east-west traffic is Interstate 90 in northern Idaho. The Montana Department of Transportation will close the interstate for several hours, beginning at 10 a.m. MST Tuesday to for avalanche control. An avalanche specialist will detonate charges to cause avalanches in the area with heavy snow accumulation.
The length of the closure will depend on the amount of snow that falls on the roadway and the time required to remove it.