UPDATE: Rock scaling efforts on U.S. Highway 12 near Arrow, Idaho are officially complete, with cleanup operations now underway. Motorists should be aware that the highway remains restricted to one lane as crews work to remove debris, posing a continued challenge for drivers.
The Idaho Transportation Department confirmed that the rock scaling and excavation wrapped up on Tuesday, finishing ahead of schedule at approximately 4 p.m. Traffic is being managed by flaggers, and delays of up to 20 minutes are expected throughout the morning.
According to spokesperson Mark Pfeifer, the material on the slopes was unstable, allowing crews to effectively clear significant amounts of debris. “The material was pretty crumbly so they were able to get a bunch of it down,” Pfeifer stated. Cleanup efforts started immediately and are expected to continue until the area is deemed safe.
The emergency work, which began last week, is crucial for protecting both motorists and the highway from potential rock slides. The operations involved highly trained workers using climbing gear and inflatable airbags to dislodge rocks, culminating in an excavator removing additional debris from the nearly vertical slopes.
Motorists should stay informed about updates on travel conditions by visiting the agency’s official travel website at 511.idaho.gov, their main site at bit.ly/3XgQNGM, or following their updates on social media.
As cleanup progresses, there is hope that full two-lane traffic may be restored soon. For now, drivers are encouraged to exercise patience and plan for delays while crews work diligently to ensure safety on this critical route.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.
