Slide triggers closure of portion of Middle Fork road

Thursday, August 21, 2014

The Atlanta Highway district has closed the Middle Fork of the Boise River Road above Loftus hot springs at mile marker 34.

The heavy rains on Aug. 6 caused a major mudslide down the Big Five Creek drainage, effectively rechanneling the river up and across the road, destroying approximately one-third of the road bed.

Major repairs will be necessary to rebuild the section of road at mile marker 38, according to the highway district. "At this time, and until further notice, there is no through access to Swanholm or to the community of Atlanta on Forest Highway 82," the district said in a statement released Thursday, Aug. 21.

The district has closed FH82 to public traffic from the Atlanta side at Alexander Flat and the Road Creek trail, below mile marker 41.

"The public is encouraged to avoid travel on this section of FH82 and to drive cautiously because heavy machinery will be working on adjoining portions of the road," the district said.

Atlanta is still accessible by using Highway 21 through Idaho City to Granite Creek/Rabbit Creek or over Morse Creek summit to the Edna Creek campground using FR348. Access also is available from the south from Featherville, using the James Creek or Phifer Creek roads.

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