Update: US 95 reopen after propane leak from semi-truck between Riggins and New Meadows

Update (10:35 a.m., Feb. 11): U.S. 95 between New Meadows and Riggins is reopen to motorists after cleanup of the propane spill at milepost 177 near Hazard Creek, the Idaho Transportation Department announced Saturday morning.

“The department would like to thank everyone for their patience during the emergency response and wish travelers a safe drive to their final destinations. All travelers should continue to check 511.idaho.gov for conditions and closures on state highways and interstates,” ITD said in a news release.

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A semi-truck crash that caused a propane spill along U.S. 95, the main thoroughfare to the northern parts of Idaho, has closed the highway between New Meadows and Riggins.

Idaho State Police responded to the site Thursday afternoon and found a crashed tractor-trailer that was hauling 8,000 to 11,000 gallons of propane at milepost 177, according to a news release from the agency. The truck’s tanks had ruptured and propane was leaking, police said.

The truck driver was injured and taken to a nearby hospital, police said.

First responders on Friday continued to clean up “thousands of gallons of propane,” ITD said in the follow-up news release.

“This is a developing situation,” Idaho Transportation Department District 3 Field Operations Manager Eric Copeland said in the Friday afternoon news release. “Depending how well recovery of the vehicle and propane goes, the highway could reopen as early as tomorrow or take until early next week.”

The highway is closed to all traffic from milepost 161 to milepost 180. Anyone within a 1-mile area was evacuated because of “potential danger,” and the roadway was closed, state police said.

Individuals traveling in the area are being asked to find an alternative route through Oregon and Washington or “prepare for a lengthy delay,” according to state police and ITD. There is no local detour, ITD said in the news release.

The Transportation Department is expected to provide another update Saturday morning.