10/4/2013
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
September flooding causes repair to Rabbit Creek culvert under Idaho 78 near Murphy
OWYHEE COUNTY - The culvert running under Idaho 78 and serving Rabbit Creek is being uncovered and emptied by Idaho Transportation Department crews by work that started Tuesday (Oct. 1) and will extend into next week.
Flooding that started on Idaho 45 the afternoon of Sept. 4, but did most of its damage on Idaho 78, brought tons of mud and debris to the Murphy area. The culvert, 1.2 miles northwest of Murphy at milepost 27.9, was plugged and buried by silt, rock and debris. Crews are digging out the culvert, which now sits well below the surface.
“When it was all over, the bottom of the 48-inch culvert was probably six or seven feet below the new surface,” said Jeramie Gregory, ITD Marsing maintenance leadworker.
The crew also will perform repair to re-establish the channel for the creek. They will be working Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There is no traffic interference for Idaho 78 drivers, as the work is on the shoulder and to the side of the highway.