9/6/2013
UPDATE: Work continues on clearing mud, debris from Idaho 55
BOISE – A mudslide that closed Idaho 55 about three miles north of Banks is estimated to be cleared sometime Saturday afternoon, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The slide occurred Thursday evening at about 7 p.m. when heavy rains fell on the area. The rain fell on a hillside area that had been burned in a fire, washing soil and debris onto the highway. Both lanes of Idaho 55 are closed. Motorists are being advised to use U.S. 95 as an alternate route to Idaho 55, and check 511.idaho.gov for the latest conditions on the state's highways or call 5-1-1 from their phones.
The Banks to Lowman Highway also is closed. Boise County officials closed the highway after multiple slides covered the route. The highway is closed at its juncture with Idaho 55. For information on the status of the Banks to Lowman Highway, please visit www.boisecounty.us or call 1-208-793-2380.
News Directors, Editors:
For updates on the Banks to Lowman Highway, please contact John Roberts, the emergency management coordinator for Boise County. Roberts can be reached at jroberts@co.boise.id.us or by phone at 1-208-866-1912. For photos of the Idaho 55 mudslide, please visit: ftp1.idaho.gov. The User Name is itdcommu and the Password is W39gy7D2. The photos are in a folder titled Idaho 55 Closure.