6/13/2014
ITD reopens one westbound Interstate 84 lane after repairs near Burley
BURLEY -- One westbound lane of Interstate 84 reopened near Burley today at 7:30 p.m. after the Idaho Transportation Department completed emergency repairs to a damaged bridge pier.
ITD crews worked throughout the day to build a support to replace a concrete column that was destroyed in a fatal semi-truck crash shortly after 5 a.m. The direct impact sheered off a bridge column at its base and left it only partially attached at the pier cap.
Both westbound lanes were closed immediately after the crash, and traffic was diverted at milepost 208 on Idaho highways 25 and 27 through Paul, reconnecting at milepost 201. ITD bridge inspectors arrived late in the morning to asses the extent of damage.
They determined the emergency repairs would be sufficient to allow reopening the outside westbound lane of traffic. The inside lane next to the damaged column remains closed indefinitely.
The crash, which claimed the life of Harold Gow, 50 of Missoula, Mont., also prompted closure of 850 West Rd. over the interstate. It will remain closed to all traffic through the weekend. ITD will reassess its structural integrity Monday and determine whether it can be partially reopened.
If it is stable enough, the overpass likely will reopen to a single lane of traffic on the west side, controlled by temporary signals. ITD anticipates imposing a weight restriction of 10 tons, which would prohibit heavy truck traffic.
Motorists who expect to travel through the area should use caution and check 511.idaho.gov or call 5-1-1 for the latest information.
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.