Rock slide cleared from BNSF track near Bonners Ferry

BONNERS FERRY, Idaho (AP) — A rock slide that closed a main BNSF Railway connection between Washington state and Idaho has been cleared. BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas says dozers and loaders were able to clear the line and they reopened at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday. The slide 14 miles east of Bonners Ferry covered the tracks at about 12:30 p.m. Friday. Melonas says the slide was 20 feet deep, 50 feet wide and 200 feet long. Amtrak passenger trains running from Seattle and Portland to Chicago were halted for 48 hours. Freight traffic was also temporarily suspended. Melonas says the Amtrak trains will not be allowed through until 12:30 p.m. Sunday for safety reasons. Freight traffic has resumed.