UPDATE: Parts of I-15 closed due to ‘extremely dangerous’ winds
Published at | Updated at
UPDATE:
As of 3 p.m. today the portion of I-15 is still closed, officials expect it to remain closed until sometime this evening. Sustained winds are measured at 44 mph with gust up to 66 mph. Visibility is measured at just over 200 feet.
ORIGINAL STORY
OSGOOD — The Idaho Transportation Department has temporarily closed Interstate-15 between Idaho Falls and Roberts due to “extremely dangerous” wind conditions.
The speed limit had been lowered from 80 mph to 40 mph between Osgood and Roberts due to low visibility.
At 11:50 a.m., Idaho State Police announced the road was closed until wind conditions calm down.
“That area is prone to dust storms when fields are dry and winds are high,” ITD spokesman Bruce King tells EastIdahoNews.com. “This stretch of freeway north of the Osgood Area has had several multi-car pileups in past years caused by poor visibility and drivers moving too fast. It can be extremely dangerous.”
King says road conditions are dangerous at this time and asks motorists to use an alternative routes.
The interstate is currently closed between milepost 119 and milepost 134.
At 11:45 a.m., wind speeds were registering 43 mph with gusts up to 51 mph in the Osgood area. Visibility was reported at .27 of a mile.