2/22/2016
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Detour route developed in aftermath of Idaho 14 slide starts tomorrow
LEWISTON - A detour route has been developed to serve those trapped by the massive slide late last week on a section of Idaho 14 approximately 10 miles west of Elk City. The detour route, an old Forest Service road, will initially be used tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 23) and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday thereafter. Idaho County, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management are collaborating on the detour plans.
Idaho 14 is the only access into Elk City, Red River, Orogrande, American River and Dixie during the winter months. The Idaho Transportation Department is working on plans to clear the slide as soon as safety assessments are complete. At this time, the road is closed and no vehicular access is possible along the highway.
Click here for an aerial picture of the slide.
"The Idaho Transportation Department will be working to reopen Idaho 14 as soon as safely possible,” said ITD Lewiston-area District Engineer Dave Kuisti. “The size of the slide, the large volume of unstable material at the top of the slide, and the size of the slide debris will complicate the removal."
Idaho County Sheriff’s Office personnel will escort essential travel across the detour route (Newsome Creek Forest Road #1199), a 20-mile bypass through the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest on the east side of the slide.
The detour route will operate on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday this week, with one downriver trip in the morning at 8 a.m. (drivers meet at the Elk City Laundromat) and one upriver trip in the afternoon (location to be determined) at 3 p.m. In the following weeks, the schedule will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Traffic will be limited to ensure that the road does not
become impassable because of high traffic volumes on the soft road
surface, because of snow standing five feet deep on the road most of the
winter. Traffic will be allowed under the direction and management of
Idaho County.
Idaho County will be working with commercial-service providers to look for ways to provide fuel and other necessities.
For more information, contact Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, Red River Ranger District Office, or the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest offices.