Motorcycle Safety Watch: Lowman Loop hazard

All Riders,

I know a lot of people like to do the Lowman loop so please be aware of the current road hazards.

The following was issued as an alert to cyclists using Hwy 21. ITD will be putting up signage to alert motorcyclists about the logging trucks and debris expected during the Pioneer Fire logging salvage in the coming months.

· The Boise National Forest will be removing hazardous trees along travel routes and salvaging additional trees away from the roads starting the week of May 15th, 2017 and continuing into the fall of 2018. The project extends from Mores Creek Summit north of Idaho City to approximately 6 miles south of Lowman. Over the course of the project, thousands of logging trucks will be traveling on Hwy-21 on their way to lumber mills in the region.

· Tree removal within 200 feet of Hwy-21, the loading of logs onto trucks, and clean-up activities will necessitate temporary road and lane closures of Hwy-21 for public safety.

· No work or loaded truck travel will occur on weekends and holidays on the highway. However, some hauling on Forest Service roads is to be expected. Debris should be expected on the highway, though, at any time during the project.

· Given the narrow, curvy, mountainous nature of this road, the Idaho Transportation Department is strongly discouraging cyclist use of Hwy-21 between Idaho City and Lowman during this project due to the potential conflicts with logging trucks and/or the presence of logging trucks and presence of debris on the road.

Stay safe out there and keep the rubber side down!