Bridge collapse delays construction on I-84 in Idaho

The Associated Press

10/30/2008

BOISE, Idaho — A road project in southwestern Idaho could be delayed until November while federal and state agencies investigate what caused a bridge under construction in Nampa to collapse.

More than a dozen workers from an Eastern Washington construction company were injured when a section of the bridge they were pouring concrete on gave out Oct. 27.

The state Transportation Department has hired two engineering firms to investigate what happened. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating and as up to six months to issue a report.

The state contracted a Spokane, Wash. company, Graham Construction and Management, earlier this year to replace two bridges in southwestern Idaho as part of a $8.5 million project to widen Interstate 84.

Idaho Transportation Department spokesman Jeff Stratten says construction will not continue until the investigations have been completed.