The Idaho Transportation Department discovered two new avalanches that will extend the closure of U.S Highway 12 between Lowell and Lolo Pass through at least the remainder of this week. The latest snow slides were found Tuesday as crews returned to a restricted area that had been deemed hazardous during and after a snowstorm last week moved through the canyon corridor. Snow removal crews under the direction of an avalanche control expert were expected to begin work to clear the highway which has been closed since four avalanches engulfed the roadway on January 31st and February 1st. However, a helicopter being used for reconnaissance discovered two new avalanches – one at milepost 133 is reportedly about 20 feet high covering a 50-foot section of the highway – another even larger avalanche was found nearby at milepost 132. Crews estimate its size to be 30 feet deep covering 80 feet of the highway and extending into the Lochsa River. ITD officials say under ideal conditions crews may be able to open the roadway sometime this weekend weather permitting. Until then, motorists are advised to use Interstate 90 in northern Idaho as an alternate route.