12/19/2012
Crews to begin removing hazardous rocks from U.S. 95 near Riggins Thursday
LEWISTON - Motorists on U.S. 95 south of Riggins will experience delays of up to 20 minutes beginning Thursday (Dec. 20) as rock scalers work to stabilize a hillside along the highway and bring down a large rock exposed during a Dec. 2 slide.
Initial scaling could continue for several days, explains District 2 Operations Manager Doral Hoff. Crews from Midwest Rockfall Inc., of Henderson, Colo., will bring down loose rocks in preparation for removing the threatening rock.
Initial scaling could take about two days, Hoff said. While on the hillside, crews will evaluate the best method to bring down a rock that is estimated to be 30 feet by 20 feet by 20 feet.
After the boulder is safely removed, crews will scale the slopes again to loosen and bring down any other remaining loose rocks or material.
Crews will work during daylight hours until the scaling is complete. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers on both sides of the operation. There is no detour around the project, which is at milepost 188, about seven miles south of Riggins just south of the Sheep Creek Rest Area.
ITD encourages motorists to be patient and drive carefully through the work area.