WALLACE — County crews have begun clearing the road over Moon Pass, but officials say the public needs to stay patient and obey the posted road signs. 

On Tuesday, Larry Hammer, supervisor at Shoshone County’s Osburn roads shop, said his crew was able to get a grader to within roughly one and a half miles of the top of the pass. He said crews have faced repeated interruptions from people attempting to drive into active work zones. 

Hammer said the region’s mild winter could allow the pass to open sooner than usual, though significant snow remains. He also expects to encounter some damage from multiple windstorms that blew violently through the area, but he hopes any additional cleanup will be minimal. 

“We always like to have it open by Memorial Day,” Hammer said. “But there’s no guarantees on what we’ll find along the way. Once we punch it open and the sun is able to shine on it, it melts off pretty quickly.” 

Moon Pass connects the Silver Valley region of Shoshone County with the communities of Avery, Calder and Clarkia along the St. Joe River in the county’s southern region. 

Because clearing is progressing faster than normal, Hammer said the county will continuously move road-closed signs as crews advance, allowing access to portions of the area as they are cleared. 

“We know people are itching to get out there and drive up there,” Hammer said. “Please just be patient with us, don’t move our signs and don’t go beyond where they say the road is closed.” 

Hammer said he will continue to update the public on the status of the pass and hopes to have it open ahead of schedule.