12/13/2011
I-84 overpass in Minidoka County hit, damaged by excavator
BURLEY – One lane of Interstate 84 and the 850 West Road overpass have been closed after a piece of equipment hit three girders and caused extensive damage to the structure earlier today (Tuesday, Dec. 13), the Idaho Transportation Department has announced.
The right lane of westbound lanes on I-84 is currently closed until the loose concrete from the damaged overpass is cleared from the area. The closure extends for less than a mile beginning near milepost 206 (about two miles west of Burley in Minidoka County).
The 850 West Road is closed indefinitely; all traffic will be detoured to the nearest crossings at Shodde Road to the west and east to Idaho 27 (North Overland) in north Burley.
The overpass was damaged when an excavator, which extended above the 16.5-foot minimum clearance of the structure, passed underneath. The driver continued west on I-84 but was stopped prior to any other overpass structures.
The truck entered I-84 at the Burley interchange (exit 208) and hit the first, third and fourth girders of the bridge. Severe damage has been reported for two of the three damaged girders.
ITD crews will work this week to chisel loose material from the damaged areas and clean the area. A timeline has not been determined for inspection and repair to the structure. The legal height for all vehicles without an overlegal permit is 14 feet, which includes the height of the load.