US Hwy 89 re-opened in Montpelier Canyon after snow slides Tuesday

MONTPELIER, Idaho (KXPI/KIFI) - U.S. Highway 89 east of Montpelier is re-opened after snow slides closed the highway mid-day Tuesday.

Bear Lake County Sheriff Bart Heslington confirmed that snow slides closed the Montpelier Canyon Road in both directions between Montpelier and Geneva. He said his office first received reports of the slides about 2 p.m. Tuesday. He said no drivers were caught in the slides, but a couple drivers tried to drive over the snow on the road and got stuck.

Jim Parker, with the Bear Lake County Fire Department, said the slides happened below the Whitman Hollow area.

Sheriff Heslington said the Idaho Transportation Department arrived with snow removal equipment. The highway is now open.

The sheriff said they have not talked yet about future avalanche mitigation.