Tree tangles with truck amid soggy soil

All drivers, including employees, are encouraged to be cautious as snowy, rainy and windy conditions create hazardous conditions by bringing trees and rocks down onto highways. Soils, saturated by moisture, are not able to anchor rocks and vegetation to hillsides.

Crews in north-central Idaho were called out numerous times last week for downed trees, rock fall and plugged culverts, resulting in several road closures on US-12 and ID-14.

“Heavy snow from previous storms has weighed down trees, and saturated soils are unable to keep trees in place, especially in windy conditions,” D2 Operations Engineer Bob Schumacher said. “Just Thursday night, one of our plow trucks—while responding to a downed tree in the road—was hit by another tree.” (damaged truck pictured above)

The truck was not occupied at the time.

“So far, we have dealt mainly with rocks and trees,” Schumacher said. “Travelers should also be aware of the potential for avalanches in areas of steep slopes, particularly on US-12, with this variable weather.”

ITD published information last week to help make drivers aware of the dangers and encourages its own employees to keep their safety in mind, even when they are off the clock.

Published 02-10-20