Crews begin work to clear landslide on Idaho 14

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http://www.ktvb.com/news/local/idaho/crews-begin-work-to-clear-landslide-on-idaho-14/56325273

BOISE – Gov. Butch Otter has issued a state disaster emergency declaration in support of Idaho County because of a massive landslide near Elk City. It will cost an estimated $1.5 million to clean up.

The declaration ensures that all available resources will be brought in to help in the landslide response.

The Idaho Transportation Department says work is underway to clear an estimated 100,000 cubic yards of soil and debris that closed a section of State Highway 14.

The highway to Elk City has been closed since Feb. 18.

Six contractors have brought in a half-dozen dump trucks and a pair of excavators. They began work Wednesday to start breaking up the rocks and haul the material away on the downriver/Grangeville side of the slide.

“Our immediate goal is to create a path to be able to move equipment and trucks to the upriver/Elk City side, so we can work from both ends,” said ITD north-central Operations Engineer Bob Schumacher.

ITD says they are working to open one lane as soon as it is safe to do so. Their goal is to have both lanes of the highway reopened in four to five weeks.

ITD has also hired another agency gain access to the top of the slide to remove trees. Once that’s complete, a contractor will begin excavating the loose materials at the top of the slide.