UPDATE: Crews have successfully completed the urgent rock scaling work above U.S. Highway 12 near Arrow, Idaho. However, the highway remains restricted to one lane as cleanup efforts continue, prompting significant delays for motorists.
The Idaho Transportation Department confirmed that the crucial work wrapped up early yesterday, allowing the highway to reopen around 4 p.m. Traffic is being managed by flaggers, and drivers should brace for delays of up to 20 minutes during this cleanup phase.
According to spokesperson Mark Pfeifer, the material above the highway was unstable, prompting emergency measures to ensure the safety of travelers. “The material was pretty crumbly so they were able to get a bunch of it down,” Pfeifer stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The rock scaling and excavation work began last week and was designed to prevent dangerous rock slides that could threaten both motorists and the highway infrastructure. Workers employed climbing gear and inflatable airbags to release rocks, culminating in the use of an excavator to clear the nearly vertical slope.
Motorists are advised to monitor the ongoing situation closely, as the Idaho Transportation Department aims to restore two-lane traffic flow as soon as possible. Updates on the project are available on the agency’s travel website 511.idaho.gov, its main site at bit.ly/3XgQNGM, and on its official Facebook page.
As cleanup efforts progress, officials are assessing the conditions to determine when traffic restrictions can be lifted entirely. Stay tuned for real-time updates as this story develops.
