Moon Pass tunnel to be fixed

WALLACE — The Silver Valley’s summer route to the Avery/Calder region of Shoshone County is currently looking to be repaired and cannot be used in its current condition.

In addition, one of the tunnels is temporarily closed for travel due to a falling tunnel face’s dangerous conditions and clearing debris.

Shoshone County Commissioner Jay Huber traveled to Tunnel 34 last Thursday with Idaho State inspectors and engineers, as well as Public Works Director Jim Cason, and a member of the forest service to do a site visit.

“Part of the face came down, which means right now it’s incredibly unsafe to drive through,” said Huber of the conditions of the tunnel.

“What we are going to have to do is take off the face that’s still hanging there. While also removing some of the debris that is all along the top. Once those are fixed, we should be good to go.”

Those working on this project understand that time is of the essence.

“There is no detour. We thought we could use the old road down below but it’s simply not possible. The road is too narrow and there is too much maintenance that needs to be done. It would cost us just as much to fix that, as it would to fix the tunnel.” said Huber

During the site visit, it was determined that Tunnel 34 needed to be shut down due to the falling concrete and debris from the top and bottom of the tunnel.

“In the site visit, the State said that if we fulfill a couple obligations we will be able to open it back up again. This means clearing the fallen concrete, digging some of the dirt out on top, and clearing debris in front of the tunnel,” explained Cason, “Right now it’s just not safe for the public.”

Public Works is currently waiting to hear back on emergency funding from Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC), which can assist in the financing.

“What has to happen is that we have to get a contractor up there. It’s going to take a rock hammer to chisel away at the concrete, and make it safe enough for people to drive through. The bulkhead is broken and cracked so we will need to pull that off, we will then work on digging back and sloping everything back in,” said Cason, “It’s bad, but it’s not as bad as we thought. As long as we fix the issues the State wants us to, we can get it opened back up.”

Public Works will be kept busy getting the tunnel fixed and working on the rest of the road. Recently an avalanche fell at the mile 7 marker which now needs to be cleaned up, as well as over 100 trees that are laying in the road.

“Ideally the tunnel will be finished by May 10, with funding and the availability of contractors. It also depends on the amount of snow that is up there. Right now we can get to about the 6 or 7 mile marker.”

Thompson Pass is also getting ready to be opened up in the next day or two.

Cason explained, “We wanted to have Thompson Pass opened last week but we had some technical issues. We also have to wait for Montana to be finished with their side before we completely open.”