Glacier corridor closed again

All traffic was shut down Thursday on U.S. 2 between Essex and East Glacier after a 200-foot-wide natural avalanche rolled through the area.

Justun Juelfs, the Montana Department of Transportation Kalispell division maintenance chief, said the avalanche occurred between Essex and Devils Creek and spilled roughly 6 to 8 feet of snow debris over the BNFS Railway line that runs parallel to the highway. He said about 6 to 8 inches of the avalanche’s debris swept onto the highway.

The traffic closure remained as of Thursday evening, with local traffic only allowed between West Glacier and Essex.

“We have concerns for avalanches from Essex through to the Snow Slip (Inn),” Juelfs said. “I know the National Weather Service forecast an additional 1.5 inches of liquid precipitation on top of an already weak snowpack.”

This is the second time this week the section of the highway has closed due to winter storm conditions.

Juelfs said heavy snow in the area over the last week paired with warming temperatures, rainfall and expected strong winds created widespread areas of unstable snow.

Until the avalanche danger subsides, Juelfs said the department will not maintain efforts to clear the highway.

“At this point, we’re backing equipment and staff out of the region due to the instability,” he said.

So far there has been no damage to the highway’s infrastructure, though Juelfs said he cannot speak for the rail line.

Juelfs said the department will continue to evaluate conditions to determine when it will be possible to safely pilot traffic through the closed area.

“Our focus first and foremost is on traveler safety,” he said.

Ross Lane, the regional director of public affairs for BNSF Railway, noted that out of safety, all rail traffic through the corridor has been suspended, as well.

Lane said BNSF Railway does not yet have an estimated time to reopen the line.

Marc Magliari, a spokesman for Amtrak, said passengers stuck at the Whitefish Amtrak Station overnight will be accommodated on the trains, which he said include “normal hotel functions.”

Magliari said he expected trips out of Whitefish to continue sometime Friday, though he said, “that’s always subject to change.”

THE NATIONAL Weather Service issued a winter storm warning through the U.S. 2 corridor from West Glacier to Marias Pass until 8 p.m. Thursday. The forecast predicted 40 mph winds, “creating near-blizzard-like conditions for Marias Pass.” The service also called for 8 to 12 inches of snow in the area.

According to the report, impacted areas include Bad Rock Canyon, Essex, Highway 83 from Bigfork to Swan Lake, Marias Pass and Polebridge.

The Flathead Avalanche Center advisory rated avalanche dangers as “high” on all aspects and elevations for the Swan Range, Flathead Range, Whitefish Range and southern Glacier National Park.

To get more information visit to www.avalanche.org.

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.