All lanes on U.S. Highway 12 near Arrow Bridge will close today (Fri) at noon for rock scaling. Crews will proactively dislodge large rocky sections from the nearby slope under controlled conditions which decreases the likelihood of future rockfalls that create a safety hazard for drivers. Traffic will be detoured to alternative state routes on U.S. Highway 95, State Highway 3, State Highway 13, and State Highway 162.
The closure will stay in place around the clock until crews finish removing unstable rock. Because conditions on the slope can vary, a specific reopening time can’t be set in advance. Drivers should plan for an extended closure. However, if work progresses smoothly, the closure is not expected to last more than a day or two. At this time, we do not expect this closure to impact the Thanksgiving holiday.
“The decision to close the highway was made from a safety standpoint to protect travelers from falling rocks and to allow for a timelier cleanup process,” Operations and Traffic Engineering Manager Jared Hopkins said. “Heavy equipment will load trucks with the freshly fallen rocks and those will be hauled offsite.”
In addition, there will be increased truck activity outside of the work zone. Trucks will frequently be entering and exiting the highway on US-12 by Cherry Lane Bridge and near the south end of Arrow Bridge.
Experts have been monitoring the slope since Tuesday to ensure there is no danger to drivers and flaggers have been providing traffic control. Motorists should also pay close attention to road signs posted in the area.
Up-to-date traffic information can be found by visiting 511.idaho.gov. Travelers can also dial 511 or download the Idaho 511 app.
