7/28/2011
UPDATE: Repairs on U.S. 30 in Buhl to finish next week
BUHL – Repairs will begin this week and extend into next week after an abandoned water line under U.S. 30 filled with irrigation water and caused the road to sink in on Wednesday (July 27). The pipe has been temporarily plugged by the city of Buhl water department, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
During exploratory digging yesterday, an ITD crew located the leaking former water pipe. The water, from a neighboring farm field, ruptured the aged pipe and saturated the ground below the roadway, eroding the pavement.
The excavated section will remain open over the weekend to allow the road base to dry and gain stability. The hole, in the eastbound lane of U.S. 30 near the east city limit, is protected by a concrete barrier with a temporary lane in the center median of the roadway. The recommended speed limit through the work zone is 20 mph.
With hot weather in the forecast, it is anticipated that the ground will dry enough for crews from both ITD and the Buhl water department to return on Monday to complete repairs.
Drivers are reminded to use caution near the lane closure and to watch for crew members and equipment in the area.