Sinkhole on Eagle Road grows to more than first thought

Potholes sometimes are more than skin deep, and there's more to them than appears on the surface.

Crews responded to reports of a pothole on Eagle Road in Boise Wednesday afternoon. Upon inspection, however, ITD’s District 3 maintenance crew declared the depression to be a sinkhole that needed immediate repair.

"After arriving on the scene I decided the situation was too unsafe and needed immediate repair," said ITD's Boise maintenance foreman Rich Peryer. "I realize that closing lanes on Eagle Road during peak commute times is an inconvenience for the public, but safety was the overriding factor in our decision to make repairs when we did."

The sinkhole was just south of Idaho 44 (State Street). It prompted ITD to close southbound right lane and right turn bay on one of the state’s busiest highways for several hours while repairs took place.

ITD crews repaired the hole – measuring about four feet square and nearly five feet deep – by approximately 7 p.m.

"We still managed to complete the repair in three hours. Thanks to the quick response and efficiency of my crew, we kept repair time to a minimum."

The cause of the sinkhole and extent of permanent repairs needed have not been determined yet.

Published 6-7-13