11:45 a.m. Oct. 8
During boring operations along Myrtle Street in downtown Boise, a depression formed in a travel lane, prompting a partial closure of the road.
Currently, the right-most lane of Myrtle Street is closed between 2nd and 4th Street. ITD crews are on site investigating the situation and developing a response. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are urged to use caution while traveling in the area.
Updates will be posted here as additional information comes in.
2:00 p.m. Oct. 8
Crews investigating the depression in the road have found the cause to be a void in the earth beneath the roadway. This void is estimated to be 3-4 feet deep, and 8-14 feet wide, or about the width of a single travel lane.
The boring work being done in the area is to relocate utilities. Idaho Power received a permit from ITD to complete the work.
The contractor (Idaho Power) will rip up the road surface to survey the extent of the void. Generally speaking, the next steps for the contractor will be to fill in the void with appropriate material and repave the roadway.
4:00 p.m. Oct. 8
Crews have opened up the road to survey the extent of the void. It ended up being less severe than anticipated. The void was no deeper than 18 inches and extended 14 feet wide. The contractor will spend the rest of the day filling in the void and laying a temporary asphalt patch to restore the surface of the road to a smooth driving surface. ITD has directed this work to be complete by 4:00 a.m. October 9th.
ITD will work with the contractor to complete extensive repairs and lay durable asphalt down at a later date.
9:00 a.m. Oct. 9 (final update)
The contractor worked overnight to repair the damage and patch the road with temporary asphalt. The lane was open before the morning rush hour. The contractor is working with ITD to plan a permanent repair at a later date with minimal impact to traffic.