Interstate 90 reopens in Idaho after avalanche fears pass

Interstate 90 has reopened near Lookout Pass after fears of avalanches subsided, the Idaho Transportation Department said Tuesday afternoon. The department had said earlier in the day eastbound lanes could be closed until at least Thursday because of the avalanche threat. But officials deemed the pass safe and reopened the road at 3 p.m. Tuesday. The pass closed Monday night from Mullan to St. Regis, Mont. The closure on the west side had begun at Exit 69. The Transportation Department said the more than 12-hour closure was the first on that stretch of interstate since January 2008. Telephone and Web reports are available 24 hours a day and are updated as conditions change.