Rockslide in Idaho sends boulders crashing down on highway
Some rocks measured 25 feet across, with a 120-foot long debris field
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Motorists heading along a highway in Idaho on Friday got an unexpected surprise when a rockslide sent boulders tumbling down, blocking the route.
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) said in a news release the incident happened around 9 a.m. on U.S. Route 95 at milepost 188, between the towns of Pollock and Riggins.
The rockslide left a debris field approximately 120 feet long and 40 feet deep at the base. Some rocks measured 25 feet across and were reported to be "just as tall."
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Carmen Escalera and her family were traveling along the roadway when they captured the dramatic scene on camera.
U.S. Route 95 in Idaho was blocked by a rockslide on Friday. (Idaho County Sherif's Office)
Initially, several rocks fell from the adjacent cliffside, followed by an avalanche of rocks.
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Crews worked through the holiday weekend to try to reopen U.S. Route 95 in Idaho after a rockslide on Friday. (Idaho Transportation Department (ITD))
According to the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, the route closed indefinitely on Friday, making north-south travel inaccessible to Fourth of July travelers.
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ITD officials initially said they hoped to open a temporary roadway by Sunday, but discovered a crack in the rock face up above.
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Crews worked through the holiday weekend to try to reopen U.S. Route 95 in Idaho after a rockslide on Friday. (Idaho Transportation Department (ITD))
“The very nature of slides is unpredictable,” operations engineer Jared Hopkins said.
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Geotechnical surveys conducted on Monday showed "significantly less" movement on the slope, but officials were having outside experts examine the area to identify short-term and long-term options to stabilize the area.
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“When survey results and on-slope evaluations prove that the slide is stable, we will look to open the highway for short periods of time,” Hopkins said in a news release. “In the meantime, we are evaluating the condition of Old Pollock Road to see how we may be able to help the county with a locals-only detour.”
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A temporary roadway has been constructed around the slide, and barriers have been placed to protect drivers from any further rockslides.