U.S. 20 slope maintenance begins tomorrow
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The following is a news release from the Idaho Department of Transportation.
ASHTON — Slope maintenance to harness future rock slides and improve highway safety along U.S. 20 between the Ashton Bridge and Sheep Falls Road will begin Monday. The project is scheduled for completion Oct. 14, weather permitting.
A four-man team of professional rock scalers will repel down rocky slopes above the highway to dislodge loose rock and drape selected rock faces with wire mesh, designed to prevent rock slides from reaching the road.
Crews also will fell unstable trees and plant native grasses to deter erosion on the mountainside.
The Idaho Transportation Department conducts slope stabilization each year.
Crews will work mostly from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The project is scheduled on U.S. 20 along the Ashton Hill between mileposts 363 and 369.
Travel on the northbound (climbing) lanes will be reduced to one lane and the speed limit will be reduced in both directions.
Commercial drivers transporting permitted loads wider than 12 feet need to contact Maintenance Operations Manager Jesse Barrus (208-745-7781) 24 hours in advance for special authorization to pass through the construction zone.
Motorists should watch for rock on the road and for construction equipment along the highway.