BOISE COUNTY - The 12-mile stretch of Idaho 21 between the Grandjean Junction and Banner Summit closed this morning (Monday, Dec. 17) at 7:30 a.m. as an avalanche safety precaution, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The route will be evaluated for re-opening at noon today.
More than a foot of snow accumulated at Banner Summit over the weekend. No slides have occurred yet, but the avalanche risk is "considerable," according to ITD forecasts. The National Weather Service comments that "MAJOR WINTER STORM CONTINUES BRINGING STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY SNOWFALL TODAY. EXPECT A TOTAL OF OVER A FOOT BY THIS EVENING. THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL FALL FROM NOW (4 AM MST) THROUGH NOON MST TODAY. WINDS WILL GUST OVER 50 MPH AT BANNER SUMMIT."
This will be the first closure of this section of road this winter.
During avalanche season last year, there were eight closures between Nov. 1 and March 31, totaling 21.5 days. A total of 50 slides tumbled down on the highway during that time.
The notorious "Avalanche Alley" section between the Grandjean Junction turnoff and Banner Summit is home to about 60 avalanche chutes and 90 percent of the avalanches in the state that affect highways.
For the latest highway and weather conditions, call Idaho Traveler Services at 5-1-1. For online updates, visit the website at 511.idaho.gov. Telephone and Web reports are available 24 hours a day and are updated as conditions change.
Highway construction is one of the key forces pushing Idaho toward full economic recovery by creating jobs, improving safety and reducing traffic congestion.
Photo: Stanley, Idaho
