U.S. 95 detour closed again after ITD finds rockslide near Riggins is still moving
A recently reopened detour around the U.S. Highway 95 rockslide just south of Riggins was closed and will not open for at least the next two days after officials found “significant movement” on the slope, according to a news release from the Idaho Transportation Department.
As the popular highway continues to be cleared of rocks and debris following the July 3 slide, ITD briefly opened one lane of U.S. 95 on Wednesday so cars could pass on a temporary gravel road, but the lane was later closed after officials found the mountain was still moving.
“Between Monday and today, one of our survey targets moved nearly two inches,” Jared Hopkins, an ITD operations engineer, said in a news release. “That kind of activity may not sound like much, but in terms of geological movement it is alarming.”
For now, Old Pollock Road will serve as the detour for all traffic. Transportation officials say drivers should expect heavy delays if taking the detour.
“This is a one-lane gravel road that is nearly four miles long,” Hopkins said. “Even with this open, getting through the area could take up to three hours.”
No one was injured in the rockslide, which was reported on July 3 and took place near milepost 188 near Sheep Creek. The highway is a popular route from McCall to Lewiston and North Idaho.
