Avalanche Blocks BNSF Line Near Glacier Park

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — The recent winter storm continues to affect travel in western Montana.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari says the railroad is busing passengers around an avalanche that blocked the BNSF Railway tracks south of Glacier National Park late Sunday. He says eastbound passengers are being bused from Spokane, Wash., and Whitefish to Shelby while westbound passengers are being bused from Shelby to Whitefish.

BNSF spokesman Matt Jones says a maintenance crew spotted the avalanche at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday about 10 miles east of Essex. He says it's not clear when the blockage will be cleared.

Meanwhile, a forecast calling for freezing rain and treacherous roads led Missoula County Public Schools to cancel classes again Monday and further postpone high school basketball games that had been called off over the weekend. The University of Montana is holding classes.