Rock slide closes U.S. Highway 12

A rock slide near mile marker 54.6 closed U.S. Highway 12 above the Orofino Bridge across the Clearwater River from around 11 p.m. Sunday until one lane was opened early Monday afternoon, according to Idaho Transportation Department and Idaho State Police reports.

The road was open to two lanes about 3:30 p.m., according to Orofino ITD Foreman Blake Thompson. Between 400 and 500 yards of boulders and rock fell from the bluff above and blocked the road. The boulders had to be drilled and shot 10-12 times to clear the two lanes, he said. The cause of the slide is unknown other than freezing and thawing may have weakened the bluff.

Some further work will need to be done to complete clean up of the slide when weather is more stable. Thompson said when that happens, motorists should expect minor delays of 10-15 minutes as rock is drilled and shot.

There were no injuries and no damage to vehicles though some were close when the rock came down, according to Thompson. There was some minor damage to the roadway and guardrail.

Photos: Top--Boulders and rocks from the bluff above fell on U.S. Highway 12 near mile marker around 11 p.m. Sunday. The road was closed until early Monday afternoon when Idaho Transportation Department crews were able to get one lane open. Bottom--Two lanes were open about 3:30 p.m. (Photos courtesy of Blake Thompson)