Idaho drivers need to rethink travel plans northeast of Boise because of avalanche closures.
The Idaho Transportation Department said late Monday morning that Idaho Highway 21 between Grandjean and Banner Summit would close at 5 p.m. The department then announced a second closure of 31 miles between milepost 41 in Idaho City and milepost 72 in Lowman.
Avalanche experts were concerned that weather conditions were “likely to trigger avalanches in this section of highway,” the department said.
The transportation department said it had no estimated time to reopen the road, and would wait until “the snowpack has stabilized and the risk of active avalanches is reduced.”
It advised drivers to take alternate routes, such as Idaho Highway 75, if needing to travel from the Boise area to places such as Stanley.
Spokesperson John Tomlinson told the Idaho Statesman that the situation was “changing and evolving quickly,” adding that more closures could be announced.
The 11-mile section of Idaho 21 being closed includes nearly 70 areas where avalanches can occur, according to ITD.