11/13/2018
Two unexploded military ordnance found, removed beneath Idaho 45 bridge over Snake River
BOISE – During maintenance repairs of the Idaho Highway 45 bridge over the Snake River, Idaho Transportation Department contractors discovered two unexploded military ordnance which have been safely removed and disposed.
Divers inspecting the base of a bridge pier underwater discovered the first ordnance on October 31. The contractor notified the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, which helped contact and dispatch a bomb squad from the Nampa Police Department. NPD contained the Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD). The Mountain Home Air Force Base received the device and safely detonated it off-site.
The following day, a second EOD was discovered in the same area, roughly twenty feet under water. The contractor immediately halted construction and contacted MHAFB. The base sent an EOD unit to assess the situation, where the device was determined to be secure as it laid and posed no immediate risk to the traveling public on the bridge or boaters on the water.
Watch a video of divers assessing the EOD here.
ITD coordinated with the Office of Emergency Management, the Air Force, Navy, and local law enforcement to determine next steps. On Friday, November 9, and EOD dive team from the Navy removed the device and swept the area for other possible EODs. For the safety of the public, officials closed the bridge and river for roughly twenty minutes during the extraction.
Navy divers successfully removed the EOD and the Air Force disposed of it off-site. A sweep of the immediate area did not find additional EODs. ITD will perform a thorough sweep of the area before resuming repair work.
Questions regarding the nature of the EOD can be directed to the Mountain Home Air Force Base’s public affairs office. Please send an e-mail to 366fw.pa.public.affairs@us.af.mil.
"Thank you to the Owyhee and Canyon County Sheriff’s Offices, the Nampa Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management, Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Navy for their partnership in securing the EODs and ensuring the construction zone is safe to resume operations," said Amy Revis, ITD District 3 Engineer. "Safety is a top priority for ITD and proper protocol was followed in this rare circumstance to protect our employees, contractors, and the traveling public."