3/14/2014
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Crews begin daunting task of digging out Idaho 21, timeframe unknown
BOISE - As crews begin the daunting task of cleaning up the aftermath of recent avalanche activity in the “Avalanche Alley” section of Idaho 21 between Grandjean Junction and Banner Summit, the timeframe for reopening the highway is not clear. It is expected to be closed through the weekend, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
A specific timeframe for clean up cannot yet be estimated; That will depend, in large part, on what the crews find on the highway.
Snow can be moved by rotary snowplows rather quickly, but the rotary plows cannot chew through wood. The timber and debris that tumbled down along with the snow will take bulldozers, excavators and loaders. Efforts will further be hampered by the fact that the biggest slide is in a narrow part of the canyon, so only a few pieces of equipment can access the same spot at the same time.
A number of viewers on ITD’s Facebook page have chimed in to wish the maintenance crews good luck, and safety. Avalanche watchers have viewed the department’s page (facebook.com/IdahoTransportationDepartment) nearly 40,000 times since the latest slide activity began a week ago.