The Homestead tunnel interior wall partially collapsed following a central Idaho earthquake in February 2024.

OXBOW — The tunnel on the Homestead Road on the Oregon side of Hells Canyon Reservoir north of Oxbow will be closed during the day for about six weeks, starting Oct. 21, for maintenance.

Idaho Power Company, which maintains the tunnel, announced the pending closure on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

The tunnel, which was built for a railroad, will be closed daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. PDT. It will be open during the evenings and nights.

Traffic can bypass the tunnel on a road that is not suitable for trailers or vehicles with low ground clearance, according to Idaho Power.

The tunnel was closed for about two weeks in February and March of this year after a rockslide inside the tunnel. Idaho Power officials said the slide might have been triggered by a magnitude 4.9 earthquake in Idaho on Feb. 26.

The upcoming work is not related to that incident, however, Idaho Power spokesman Brad Bowlin said.

The work starting Oct. 21 is regular maintenance outside the tunnel at its north entrance.