BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Transportation Department has closed 10 sections of highways across the state, due to extreme winter weather that has created dangerous driving conditions.
Idaho mountains have been pummeled with snowstorms in recent weeks and now eastern Idaho is starting to experience the same.
"Across the state, and especially in Eastern Idaho, heavy snows coupled with high winds are creating low visibility and massive snow drifts," said ITD spokesman Scott Stokes in a statement. "ITD's primary mission is maintaining the safety and mobility of Idaho's transportation system. We close roads when the traveling public and our ITD crews are in jeopardy."
To keep up with the deluge of snow on several highways, ITD is reallocating resources from across the state in an attempt to keep roads clear.
Here's the complete list of highway closures:
- ID-21: Closed from Idaho City to Lowman
- ID-21: Closed from Grandjean Junction to Banner Summit
- ID-75: Closed from Ketchum to Stanley (avalanche at Galena Summit)
- ID-87: Complete closure
- US-20: Closed from Carey to Arco
- US-20: Closed from Ashton to Montana State Line, likely closed for several days
- I-15: Closed from Dubois to Montana State Line
- ID-34: Soda Springs to Wyoming State Line
- ID-47: Closed from Ashton to Bear Gulch
- ID-33: Closed from Victor to Wyoming State Line (avalanche control)
"It is super important that people do not drive past closures," Stoker said. "If a road is closed, that means it is completely impassable and unsafe for travel."
Assistance from the Idaho Office of Emergency Management has been requested by ITD.
Transportation officials urge drivers to check the ITD 511 page for the latest conditions before hitting the road.
