KIMBERLY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — The Vineyard Road overpass over I-84 may remain closed next year due to damage to the underside of the bridge.

“You have to do a complete replacement, there’s no patchwork,” says Douglas Yearsley, operations manager for the Idaho Department of Transportation.

Tuesday when a truck was carrying an excavator along I-84 and crashed into the bottom of the overpass west of the Kimberly interchange, he said. The collision caused so much damage that the overpass can no longer support the traffic load for which it was built, according to Yearsley.

“We probably sustained over $500,000 in damage, probably up to $1 million,” Yearsley said.

The damage isn’t just expensive; Yearsley adds that rebuilding a new bridge can take up to a year because they also need to demolish the existing bridge. As for who will pay for the repairs, ITD plans to use state funds for now and get reimbursed later.

“Just like damaging other people’s property, we go after their insurance or the individual to recoup the cost of it,” Yearsley said.

KMVT spoke with Idaho State Police and confirmed the semi-truck driver left the scene after stopping briefly to speak with another driver whose car was damaged by debris from the overpass.

“He exchanged information, gave them his business and phone number to contact him, and continued on his way to the traveler oasis,” ISP Trooper Troy Korb said.

Officer Korb said ISP contacted him a few minutes after the semi-truck driver left.

“He said he felt the truck hit several times, as if he had hit something, and stopped on the side of the road; When his boss called him, he told him, ‘Hey, get off the interstate and start investigating the excavator he was carrying from there,'” Korb said.

The ISP is still investigating the incident. No charges were filed.

Meanwhile, ITD still closed the Vineyard overpass and also closed one eastbound lane of I-84 as crews tried to clear loose concrete hanging from the overpass.

“Once we get all of that up and make sure nothing else is going to fall, we can open up the lanes under I-84 and there won’t be any delays in that area until we get back for construction.” said Yearsley.

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