2/12/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
UPDATE: Section of U.S. 12 to close for avalanche threat this afternoon
IDAHO COUNTY - The 61-mile stretch of U.S. 12 last closed for an avalanche in Jan. 2008. In that case, the slide closed the road for longer than two weeks. This afternoon (Wednesday, Feb. 12) at 2 p.m. (PST), a closure will happen again, although this time around, it should be considerable less than the 363-hour closure five years ago.
The road also closed twice in Jan. 2009, but those closures were for avalanche danger and control work, not natural slides.
Existing snow and heavy rain in the forecast have made conditions ripe for a slide. Road closure avalanche gates will close the road from two miles east of Lowell to two miles west of Powell (milepost 100-161) for the avalanche threat. Electronic message signs also will be used to warn travelers of the upcoming closure.
For the latest highway and weather conditions, call Idaho Traveler Services at 5-1-1. For online updates, visit the website at 511.idaho.gov. Telephone and Web reports are available 24 hours a day and are updated as conditions change.