2/11/2019
UPDATE: ITD to close ID-55 due to weather-caused hazardous conditions
UPDATE: Idaho Highway 55 will close from Banks to Donnelly at nightfall due to blowing and drifting snow. Crews continue to fight the storm while there is daylight, but conditions at night will make those operations unsafe. The ferocity of the storm is forecasted to dwindle in the early hours Tuesday. When conditions allow, plow operations will resume. Additional resources are being dedicated to re-open the road as quickly as feasible.
ITD strongly recommends no one attempts to travel in this area. Local roads are also closed as a result of blowing and drifting snow.
**Original News Release**
ITD crews have battled blowing winds and drifting snow on Idaho Highway 55 between Smtihs Ferry and Cascade as extreme weather hits the area. Forecasted increases to wind speed and precipitation may require a halt in operations if conditions become too dangerous for plows to operate.
The driving public is urged to not travel on this section of ID-55 tonight. Should crews be required to stop plowing operations, they will resume as soon as conditions allow.
"Our foreman is reporting the worst conditions he's seen in nearly a decade," said ITD spokesman Jake Melder. "Plow operators are seeing drifts four feet deep in the center of the roadway. As we continue the fight to keep the road open, we know we can only push so hard before putting our own crew members at risk."
Before leaving, you can check road closures and conditions on Idaho's traveler advisory service at 511.idaho.gov