(This corrects a headline that listed the wrong highway affected.)

RIGBY - Slope maintenance to improve highway safety along U.S. 93 will begin Monday (May 19), the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-June, weather permitting.

A three-man team of professional rock scalers will repel down rocky slopes above the highway to dislodge loose rock and drape selected rock faces with wire mesh designed to prevent future rock slides from reaching the road. Crews also will fell unstable trees and plant native grasses to deter erosion.

The crews will work approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The project is currently scheduled to be north of Gibbonsville May 19-30 and north of Challis June 2-13.

The transportation department conducts slope stabilization each year.

Motorists can expect delays of up to 20 minutes. Travel will be reduced to one lane.

Commercial drivers transporting permitted loads wider than 12 feet need to contact Maintenance Operations Manager Ken Hahn (208-745-5640) 24 hours in advance for special authorization to pass through the construction zone.

Motorists should watch for rock on the road and for construction equipment along the highway.