Recent vandalism at the Mores Creek Bridge project at Lucky Peak Reservoir, east of Boise on Idaho 21, is costly and could compromise public safety.

The vandalism not only involved theft, but tampering with Traffic Control Safety Devices on the project, including the Portable Traffic Signals and the Portable Message Signs.

ITD and the contractor (RSCI, of Meridian) want people to know vandalism not only costs taxpayers money, but it can jeopardize the safety of the public. Persistent vandalism also could threaten the timely completion of the project.

The vandalism took place over the recent President's Day weekend. Most of the critical items have been repaired or replaced. Here's a list of the vandalism:

• Rocks were thrown and glass broken on two of the portable traffic signal lights.
  
• The contractor's trailer was broken into and small items stolen.
  
• Wiring was pulled from a signal sensor.
  
• Traffic drums and tubular markers were thrown over the side of the bridge.
  
• Parts of the signals and message boards were beaten with a bar or stick.
  
• The lock was broken off a portable message sign and part of the computer programming device stolen; and
  
• Vandals threw a rock and broke one of the solar panels on the portable message signs.

If anyone witnessed any malicious or suspicious activity near this project, please contact (208) 890-4343 or (208) 343-1157 to report this information. RSCI is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of anyone involved in this activity.

The $2.8 million project has been under way since mid-December 2010 to upgrade the bridge. The bridge deck is being repaved and structural upgrades made to the bridge and foundation.

Published 2-25-2011