2/25/2009
Hwy 21 Reopens -- May close again this week depending on weather conditions
BOISE -- The Idaho Transportation Department has reopened Highway 21, but warns that further closures may be necessary this week depending on weather conditions. The corridor between Grandjean Junction and Banner Summit was closed from 11 p.m. Monday night to 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
"We have melted a lot of the snow in several avalanche paths down to where it is much more difficult for those areas to transport any snow to the road,"explained ITD Avalanche Specialist, Jon Barker. "We are in a spring cycle where we get some new snow and then it warms up, and then the new snow on the surface reacts quickly to warming, weakening the snowpack."
Weather reports predict more snow and rain this week in the Canyon Creek area. Barker says the avalanche crew will continue to keep close watch on the avalanche-prone corridor. "We will face several of these cycle this week, so there may be a series of shorter closures when conditions are hazardous."
ITD reminds motorists to slow down in hazardous driving situations and check 511 before heading out the door. The road conditions phone and web service is updated twice daily, and as situations warrant.