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Soar into creativity: 2026 Aviation Art Contest now open to Idaho students

A child's drawing of an airplane.

Calling all young Idaho artists! The 2026 Aviation Art Contest, presented by the Idaho Division of Aeronautics, is now open. Students from ages 5 to 18 are invited to submit artwork for the theme: Around the World in a Plane.

Take off on a global adventure! Imagine you’re flying in an airplane that visits famous places around the world. What do you see from the sky? Maybe the Eiffel Tower peeking through the clouds, elephants roaming in Africa, or the Great Wall winding like a dragon. Create a picture of your airplane journey and the amazing sights below.

Entries are divided into five categories based on age. The first-place artist in each category will get an airplane ride, a copy of their artwork signed by Governor Brad Little, and a congratulatory letter. The second-place artist in each category will receive $25 in art supplies and a congratulatory letter.

The deadline to submit artwork is March 31, 2026. For the full list of contest rules and judging criteria, download the official Aviation Art Contest Application and Certificate of Authenticity.

 

Above image: Artwork by Chevelle, 2025 first-place winner in the 7-9 age category. 

Overnight closure of eastbound I-84 off-ramp at Exit 208 on Monday

State highway 27 bridge in Heyburn 23345

The eastbound Interstate 84 off-ramp at Exit 208 will close at 6 p.m. on Monday until 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The closure will allow contractors to install new horizontal support beams called girders over the nearby canal.

To access Burley, westbound drivers will be detoured using Exit 211 and directed back to I-84 to reach Exit 208.

Detour signs will guide motorists through the project area. Detour dates, routes, and times may be impacted by weather or other unforeseen factors. Please watch for construction crews, use caution and drive safely.

Construction has been underway since 2024 to update the Heyburn and Burley Interchanges to meet growing traffic demands and is anticipated to be complete in 2026.

The project is funded as part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho transportation funding initiative. The Leading Idaho initiative allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to advance large projects that will enhance safety, improve mobility, further strengthen Idaho’s economy, and positively impact the Magic Valley and communities across the state for years to come.

For up-to-date traffic impacts, check out 511.idaho.gov. For more information on the project, go to the project website.

Severe weather causing multiple road closures and traffic delays across Idaho

A semi on it's side over a roadway in Idaho as a result of a severe storm. Law enforcement and ITD vehicles in the scene as well.

IDAHO — Multiple road closures across Idaho are currently in effect due to extreme winds and thunderstorms. Widespread incidents are causing traffic impacts such as downed trees, power lines, toppled semi-trucks, and more.

Idaho Transportation Department crews across the state are working around the clock to be able to get roads open safely. ITD strongly encourages people to limit travel during this time.

Drivers should be aware that road and travel conditions are rapidly changing. This is expected to continue until the storm passes late tonight.

Intersections where signals have been impacted should be treated as four-way stops. Motorists should also never drive through or around road barriers for their own safety and that of crews working.

Emergency response crews and dispatch centers are also handling an influx of calls and incidents related to the widespread storms. Please only call 911 for true emergencies and not to report power outages or ask for updates on power services being restored.

Details regarding specific closures and traffic impacts can be found on the Idaho 511 app and at https://511.idaho.gov/. Drivers are encouraged to check conditions ahead of travel to avoid hazards. ITD is working diligently to keep these resources up to date during this storm.

Northbound on-ramp at Northgate to close Sunday night

I-15_Sign

Sunday night at 7 p.m. the old northbound Interstate 15 on-ramp at the Northgate Interchange will be closed to facilitate opening a newly constructed on-ramp. The closure will continue until 6 a.m. on Monday morning. Traffic will be detoured to the Pocatello Creek interchange.

For the most up to date travel information, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov

Potentially life-saving preventive measures: ITD tests new snowplow lighting

ITD snowplow inside shop building with orange and green lights flashing.

 

In a continual effort to minimize snowplow strikes and increase safety, the Idaho Transportation Department is installing and testing upgraded lighting packages this winter.

When encountering ITD snowplows on the road, drivers through eastern Idaho may see

  • Two higher-mounted over-cab strobe lights
  • Four larger, sturdier wing lights mounted atop and at the side of the wing blade itself
  • Six total lights at the back of the truck, both strobing and alternating
  • New reflective orange and yellow checkerboard striping at the back of the plow truck
  • A whip-style, green rod light that extends six inches high at the edge of the wing plow

The green whip light has been met with success in other states around the country and is a significant change for Idaho.

“Yes, green means go but it also gets your attention,” ITD Operations Manager Ty Winther said. “And ultimately, that’s what we’re trying to do, what it’s all about- grabbing people’s attention.”

All trial lighting was chosen and installed by ITD plow operators, mechanics and welders. These changes will be placed on newer plow trucks as a standard across Idaho if they are found to be more effective at preventing snowplow strikes and increasing visibility for road workers year-round.

In 2023-24, ITD tracked 17 strike occurrences, and 11 during 2024-25. Many of these crashes involve vehicles hitting the wing plow that helps clear both the road lane and shoulder at the same time.

“When any strike happens, we’re asking ourselves what we could have done to prevent it” Winther said. “We can’t track the lives we save but we still look at it like that- how many crashes were prevented because of these ideas?”

While improved lighting is a helpful preventive measure, ITD reminds drivers to use common cautionary practices on winter roads. Slow way down, give extra space to other drivers and surroundings, brake carefully and slowly, drive with your lights on at all times, and put down or turn off any distractions.

Helpful winter road condition and driving reports can always be found on the Idaho 511 app and at http://511.idaho.gov .

Statewide impaired driving mobilization begins December 10

Graphic shows a person holding a phone in their hands. Text says: Winter plans need sober rides.

BOISE – The Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety is partnering with law enforcement agencies across the state for a holiday impaired driving mobilization beginning today, December 10 and running through January 2.

The effort comes during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, when impaired driving crashes historically rise. Extra enforcement will be on Idaho roads to stop impaired drivers and protect families traveling for the holidays.

“Impaired driving fatality crashes decreased 18% in Idaho in 2024. We are partnering with forty-nine local agencies who are working overtime to get impaired drivers off the road throughout this holiday season,” said Josephine Middleton, Highway Safety Manager with OHS. “The best way to avoid tragedy is to plan for a sober ride home and remember to thank the designated drivers who make sure everyone gets there safely.”

Impaired driving remains a leading cause of traffic fatalities in Idaho. In 2024, 86 people were killed in impaired driving crashes, accounting for more than a third of all traffic deaths statewide.

OHS urges all drivers to make responsible choices:

  • Use a sober driver, rideshare, or taxi.
  • Never let friends drive impaired.
  • Plan ahead before the first drink.

Enforcement will be visible, but the goal is clear: every Idahoan deserves to make it home safely.

To learn more about what the Office of Highway Safety is doing to improve outcomes, visit shift-idaho.org.

SH-21 between Sourdough and Banner Summit closed after rockslide

Maintenance crews using heavy equipment to clear rockslide debris from a mountain highway with snow along the roadside.

A major rockslide happened overnight on State Highway 21 which has closed the highway between Sourdough and Banner Summit.

Crews are at the site of the slide assessing conditions and damage and preparing a plan for cleanup.

At this time the expected duration of the closure is not known. Drivers should use Idaho 511 as the best source information regarding closures and detour routes.

Additional information will be released once it is available.

 

I-84 traffic to shift and 10th Avenue to close intermittently in Caldwell

Aerial view of Interstate 84 at Franklin Road showing traffic moving beneath the overpass and active construction on the bridge above.

The Idaho Transportation Department will shift eastbound Interstate 84 traffic and begin intermittent closures of 10th Avenue in Caldwell on Monday, Dec. 15 as crews demolish the final side of the 10th Avenue bridge.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, eastbound I-84 traffic will shift onto the newly paved lanes in the center of I-84 between the 10th Avenue and Franklin Road interchanges. This traffic shift will allow crews to safely demolish the eastbound side of the bridge.

Watch the video to see the new eastbound traffic configuration. Click here to watch the video.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON I-84:

  • Starting Tuesday, Dec. 9, there will be overnight single-lane closures from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on eastbound and westbound I-84 so crews can stripe, set barriers and prepare to shift traffic.
  • On Sunday, Dec. 14, eastbound I-84 traffic will shift onto the newly paved lanes in the center of I-84 between the Centennial Way and Franklin Road interchanges.
  • The Franklin Road eastbound off-ramp and the 10th Avenue eastbound on- and off-ramps will close overnight Sunday, Dec. 14, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • Eastbound drivers heading into Caldwell must exit I-84 at Centennial Way (Exit 27). Drivers who miss the exit, will travel to the Karcher Interchange in Nampa to turn around. Click here to view a detour map.
  • I-84 will remain open, but drivers should plan for delays and allow extra time to travel through the area.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON 10TH AVENUE:

  • Starting Monday, Dec. 15, 10th Avenue will close intermittently under I-84 between the eastbound and westbound ramps. 10th Avenue will reopen prior to Christmas.
  • During closures, traffic will be detoured to Centennial Way. Click here to see a detour map.
  • Access to businesses will remain open, but routes may change during closures.
  • Shuttle buses will be available for pedestrians and bicyclists, with bus stops on either end of the closure. Click here to view a map of bus stop locations.

Crews demolished the westbound side of the bridge in 2024 and are now completing the final phase by demolishing the eastbound side. This work will take a couple weeks to complete.

This work is part of ITD’s I-84 Centennial Way to Franklin Road project, which will widen I-84, replace the 10th Avenue Interchange, improve walking and biking connections and add other improvements in Caldwell. The project is expected to be complete in 2027.

For more information about the project and to stay updated on closure dates:

All work is weather dependent and the schedule may change. To plan your route in advance, visit 511.idaho.gov.

New traffic pattern begins at SH-16 and SH-44

Aerial view of the State Highway 16 and State Highway 44 intersection showing heavy traffic, temporary signals, and active construction. Earthwork and construction equipment are visible around the intersection.

The Idaho Transportation Department will shift traffic at the State Highway 16 and State Highway 44 intersection overnight, starting tomorrow evening.

Drivers can expect nighttime flagging and reduced speeds from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews move traffic into a new configuration. The shift will allow two lanes of traffic in each direction along SH-44 while crews continue constructing the north-side interchange ramps.

Beginning Thursday a new traffic pattern will be in place at the intersection. In response to community feedback, ITD rephased construction to reopen two lanes in each direction on SH-44 during the next stage of work. This change is expected to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow during peak travel times.

During this phase, motorists can expect:

  • SH-44 reopened to two lanes in each direction between SH-16 and Short Road.
  • Two left-turn lanes reopened from SH-16 to eastbound SH-44.
  • SH-16 to remain one lane in each direction south of SH-44.

“We have been challenged with finding ways to improve traffic flow in this corridor, and this traffic shift is a significant step forward,” ITD Design and Construction Engineer Styles Salek said. “Reopening two lanes on SH-44 should reduce delays and improve travel through the work zone.”

The SH-16, SH-44 interchange is part of ITD’s long-term plan to develop SH-16 as a limited-access freeway between Interstate 84 and SH-44. When complete, drivers will access the corridor through interchanges at I-84, Franklin Road, Ustick Road, U.S. Highways 20 and 26 and SH-44.

Drivers can sign up for text or email updates by texting HIGHWAY16to 866-483-8422. Project information and maps are available at itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh16corridor.

All work is weather-dependent and subject to change. For the most up to date travel information, drivers should check 511.idaho.gov.

Karcher Road closed from Montana Avenue to Indiana Avenue this weekend

Aerial view of State Highway 55 at Montana Avenue, showing surrounding farmland, nearby homes, utility lines, and traffic at the intersection. One side of the roadway shows cleared ground for upcoming construction.

The Idaho Transportation Department will close State Highway 55 (Karcher Road) between Montana Avenue and Indiana Avenue this weekend. The closure will begin Friday at 10 p.m. with the highway reopening Monday at 5 a.m. This closure will allow crews to replace irrigation infrastructure just west of the SH-55 and Indiana Avenue intersection. This work is necessary before crews widen this portion of the roadway. The widening of SH-55 from Farmway Road to Middleton Road is anticipated to be complete by 2027.

Motorists are encouraged to use Interstate 84, State Highway 19 and U.S. 95 as a detour. To view a map of the closure location and detour, click here.

To receive text alerts about these weekend closures, text 55FARMWAY to 866-483-8422.

All work is weather-dependent and subject to change. For the most up to date travel information, drivers should check 511.idaho.govbefore traveling.

This work is a part of the larger SH-55, Farmway Road to Middleton Road project which will improve safety and mobility along the SH-55 Corridor in Canyon County. Construction is expected to finish in fall of 2027. For more information about the SH-55: Farmway to Middleton widening project, please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/55farmway, call 208-477-1379, or email info@55farmwaytomiddleton.org.