U.S. Highway 95 will be fully closed beginning Sunday night so equipment is being mobilized to begin permanent repair work on the landslide located between Council and New Meadows at milepost 146.5, about ten miles north of Council. Workers have been on-site since the hillside gave way nearly two weeks ago due to steady rainfall.
A full closure of US-95 to all vehicle traffic will be implemented starting Sunday evening at 8 p.m. Until then, flaggers will direct local non-truck traffic through one narrow lane during daylight hours, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. After the closure on Sunday evening, the road will remain closed, as the contractor’s equipment will require both lanes for earthwork removal and wall installation.
According to the Idaho Transportation Department, on Monday, crews will begin excavation of a 200-foot-long, full-width section of the roadway, digging to a depth of 10 feet. Once excavation is complete, construction will begin immediately. The repair project will include a retaining wall, which will be anchored by steel piles driven into the stable rock layers of the slope. The highway is expected to reopen in early May once the work is completed.
There are no local detours that are passable this early in the season, and no local routes suitable for the impact of highway traffic. ITD has modified permitting for commercial vehicles to allow companies to safely operate on State Highway 55 to continue delivering goods to rural communities.
ITD is working with emergency responders to ensure uninterrupted service for all areas. The department is also working with local jurisdictions to identify potential alternatives for local workers to get past the closure.
Travelers are advised to visit 511.idaho.gov, download the 511 app or call 511 for updates on the closure.
