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Crash into I-84 overpass west of Burley claims life
of semi driver; repairs continue

ITD crews worked throughout the day Friday (June 13) to build a support to replace a concrete median column destroyed in a fatal semi-truck crash shortly after 5 a.m. about three miles west of Burley. The bridge strike continued an unfortunate recent trend of I-84 overpasses in southern Idaho being hit by semis.

Just a week earlier, a semi carrying an excavator with an extended arm hit the Meridian Road interchange, raining debris down on several cars passing under the overpass. In that case, there were no injuries or fatalities. In Friday's crash, the driver was not so fortunate.

The crash claimed the life of Harold Gow, 50 of Missoula, Mont., and also prompted closure of 850 West Road over the interstate.

"It is very sad when a tragedy such as this happens," said District Operations Engineer Walter Burnside. "ITD's deepest sympathies go out to the family of the deceased driver."

The 850 West Road overpass remains closed to all traffic as structural integrity has been compromised. The overpass likely will reopen to a single lane of traffic on the west side early in the week of June 23, controlled by temporary signals. ITD anticipates imposing a weight restriction of 10 tons, which would prohibit heavy-truck traffic.

Both westbound lanes of the interstate were closed immediately after the crash Friday morning, and traffic was diverted at milepost 208 on Idaho highways 25 and 27 through Paul, reconnecting at milepost 201. The direct impact sheered off a bridge column at its base and left it only partially attached at the pier cap.

ITD bridge inspectors arrived late in the morning to assess the extent of damage and to formulate a plan for repairs. Crews built bridge cribbing (a wooden column, essentially) Friday to support the damaged column and provide necessary support. Crew members from the Rupert Maintenance Area, Sublett Maintenance Area, District Bridge and Building, HQ Bridge and District administration all worked throughout the day to provide traffic control and stabilize the bridge.

"The D4 crew responded quickly and performed their duties admirably throughout the day on Friday. Everyone adjusted to difficult conditions at the crash site and on the detour, building the support to hold the damaged bridge, and create a safe travel way," Burnside said.

"To the person, each one reacted in in a professional manner that I am very proud of and I would like to thank everyone from the district offices and support folks to those at the scene and on the detour," Burnside added. "Their hard work and dedication demonstrated ITD's commitments to our mission as a department. They turned a difficult situation early in the day into a safe condition for the traveling public before they went home."

Crews began work Wednesday (June 18) to replace approximately 200 feet of damaged guardrail in the westbound lanes of I-84. One westbound lane of I-84 reopened Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. ITD Bridge inspectors determined the emergency repairs would be sufficient to allow reopening the outside westbound lane of traffic. The second lane opened Thursday morning.

Bridge plans and specifications for repair are being prepared to replace the concrete pier and repair to the pier cap. A timeline for the repairs is not yet determined. The bridge is temporarily supported by the cribbing until bridge repairs are completed.

ITD officials commended the Minidoka County Sheriff's Office and Idaho State Police for their quick response and for helping expedite the emergency repairs. They also thanked motorists for exercising patience while enduring the extended detour.
The same overpass was hit approximately three years ago in the westbound lanes and closed for about a year until it was repaired.

This section of I-84 sees approximately 16,500 vehicles per day. The traffic count on the 850 West Road Overpass is approximately 660 vehicles per day.

ITD is using an emergency contract to expedite the repairs. The initial cost of repairs will be state funded until the cost is recovered from the driver's insurance.