New American flags displayed on Cloverdale overpass in tribute to fallen airmen

ITD hanging flags on the Cloverdale Overpass

The Idaho Transportation Department has securely fastened 32 new American flags onto the Cloverdale Overpass, replacing the damaged ones that were removed Wednesday due to vandalism. These flags serve as a visible tribute to the fallen airmen who tragically lost their lives in a 2018 crash. ITD is also exploring options for a permanent memorial or other lasting ways to honor them at this site in the future.

“Vandalism of this type is not typical in Idaho. Working with community members and the Boise Police Department, our crew took quick action to remove the damaged flags and replace them with new ones. Above all, we made sure the entire process was carried out with the utmost respect,” ITD Chief Deputy Director Dan McElhinney said.

ITD is deeply committed to supporting those who have served our country, as reflected by the 167 veterans currently employed by the department, making up more than ten percent of its workforce. This underscores ITD’s respect for military service and the invaluable contributions these individuals make to the department’s mission and success.

American Legion Post 201 will hold a flag decommissioning ceremony in the near future to properly retire the damaged American flags.

I-84 will close Monday and Tuesday nights at the South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168)

I-84 will close Monday and Tuesday nights at the South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168)

The Idaho Transportation Department plans to close Interstate 84 at the South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168) overnight on Monday and Tuesday (March 17 and 18). The closures will allow crews to place girders, which will provide support for the new Lincoln Avenue Bridges.

Monday, March 17:

Eastbound I-84 will close under the Lincoln Avenue Bridge from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Motorists will use the eastbound ramps to detour around the closure.
- Reminder: The eastbound off-ramp is detoured to Bob Barton Road and the eastbound on-ramp is detoured to E Frontage Road S.
Business access will remain open on Bob Barton Road, and a detour will be in place.
Click here to view a detour map.

Tuesday, March 18:

Westbound I-84 will close under the Lincoln Avenue Bridge from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Motorists will use the westbound ramps to detour around the closure.
- Reminder: The westbound off-ramp is detoured to E Frontage Road N.
Business access will remain open on E Frontage Road N and a detour will be in place.
Click here to view a detour map.

Lincoln Avenue may be impacted during these closures. Motorists are encouraged to use other routes to cross over the freeway. This work is weather-dependent and may be impacted by conditions.

Ongoing construction at this interchange will help traffic flow easier as the volume or vehicles on the road increases now and in the future. Motorists can continue to expect intermittent I-84 and local road closures, traffic shifts and ramp changes until construction is completed in 2026.

For details about the I-84 South Jerome Interchange project, please visit

itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sjeromeic or text 84JTF to 1-866-483-8422.

Motorists should check 511.idaho.gov before traveling to plan for impacts from this project and other work zones.

New lane at busy SH-53 intersection in Rathdrum to ease congestion

Traffic backed up at the intersection with cones

Starting next week crews will return to Rathdrum to begin construction on State Highway 53 near the State Highway 41 intersection north of the railroad tracks.

The Idaho Transportation Department will construct an additional northbound through lane on SH-53 so that two lanes of traffic are able to move north through the intersection during green cycles. After construction SH-53 will still have a dedicated right turn lane for vehicles wishing to travel over the bridge.

The additional lane is intended to allow for more vehicles at a time to make it through the signal and help reduce the length of queued vehicles during peak hours.

During construction crews will close the existing right turn lane, meaning all northbound SH-53 traffic will make all movements from the one through lane. Drivers should also expect reduced speed limits and flagging. Any flagging for signal work will be done outside of peak hours.

Updates to traffic impacts and delays can be found using the Idaho 511 system either online, by phone or through the app.

US-95 highway improvement work resumes, slated to finish 2025

Construction on the new U.S. Highway 95 four-lane segment between Moscow and Thorn Creek Road will resume this week. Drivers can expect to have one lane in each direction and slow down to 45 miles per hour in work zones mainly near Reisenhauer Hill until construction of five miles on the north end of the project is ready to accept traffic this summer.

Last year crews constructed nearly five of the six miles. They will now focus on paving the new alignment, building two bridges over Thorn Creek and connecting the new roadway to existing US-95. Construction on Thorn Creek bridges will continue in the fall.

The existing US-95 roadway will temporarily close at Reisenauer Hill in the summer as ITD switches traffic over to the new alignment. At that time, Latah County will assume ownership of the old route and plans to use funds from the Thorn Creek project to repave and reopen it.

“We have been running on all cylinders to deliver this vital safety project for our region,” District Engineer Doral Hoff said. “M.A. DeAtley Construction, Inc. and their teams are also eager to transform US-95 to four lanes so motorists can experience increased capacity for mobility and improved geometry for safety. We are appreciative of the public’s patience during this construction effort.”

Portions of this project are funded as part of Idaho Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho transportation funding initiative. The Leading Idaho money 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 communities across the state for years to come.

Travelers are reminded to check for live traffic impacts across the region including this one by visiting 511.idaho.gov, dialing 5-1-1 or downloading the app.

Click here to see a map of the construction.

Public invited to review proposed design for I-90, US-95 Interchange

The Idaho Transportation Department will host an open house next week in Coeur d’Alene to share information and gather input on the proposed redesign of the Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 95 Interchange and associated local road improvements.

Date: Wednesday, March 5

Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. (drop in anytime)

Location: Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn

506 West Appleway Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

The design is funded by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative and is the first interchange project to emerge from the I-90 Corridor Study. The goal of the proposed design is to expand the interchange, enhance safety, and improve mobility to support future traffic volumes, which are expected to double by 2045. Ideas regarding the design for a future new interchange for I-90 and US-95 have been presented to the public through open house events of the past in 2022 and 2023.

The current design proposes several improvements, including a new single-point urban interchange, widening US-95, and grade separating US-95 and Appleway, among others.

For those not able to attend the open house in person, an online option will share the same information and be available starting March 5 at itdprojects.org/i90corridor. Comments submitted online before March 19 will be considered by the project team.

“The I-90 and US-95 Interchange connects two of the most traveled, and most congested, roadways in the region. Adding capacity and improving mobility on the interchange and adjacent roads will help to alleviate congestion, reduce crashes, and shorten commutes,” ITD Project Manager Joey Sprague said. “The intersection at US-95 and Appleway has the most crashes of any intersection in North Idaho. The proposed design will increase both vehicular and pedestrian safety and optimize interchange operations for decades to come.”

ITD is meeting with city officials, property owners and local businesses ahead of the public open house to present the design, answer questions and gather feedback. To stay up to date on this and other projects on the I-90 corridor, visit itdprojects.org/i90corridor and sign up for email updates.

ITD announces new incident response program for the I-90 corridor in North Idaho

UPDATE: This service will now be on duty Monday – Thursday, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., after further coordination with law enforcement.

The Idaho Transportation Department is excited to announce the launch of a brand-new Incident Response Vehicle program, which will begin operation next week to assist drivers along key corridors in North Idaho. This initiative is designed to enhance safety by providing rapid response to disabled vehicles, minor crashes, and other roadside emergencies, allowing motorists to get safely off the highway with minimal delay or risk to other drivers.

The IVR will primarily patrol the I-90 corridor, focusing particularly on work zones where limited shoulders and a lack of space pose more risk for travelers experiencing difficulties. These high-priority areas include ongoing construction projects at the State Highway 41 Interchange and the upcoming four lane expansion between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene. Additionally, the truck will respond to incidents along the US-95 corridor stretching from the Spokane River Bridge to Lancaster Road through Coeur d’Alene.

The program will offer a wide range of services to assist drivers in need, including helping with flat tire changes, delivering small amounts of fuel for vehicles that have run out, jump-starting dead batteries, and even providing push or pull assistance for vehicles stuck in ditches following a crash or slide-off. The truck is fully equipped with the tools necessary to address minor maintenance issues and also has lights and signs to alert other drivers to a potential hazard while they work to clear the incident. Outside of keeping everyone safer, these free services are expected to save money by preventing costly congestion.

The new truck will be operated by a dedicated ITD operations employee and will be in service from Tuesday to Friday, between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The schedule was created based on data analysis of traffic volume and incident trends to maximize the program’s impact during peak hours and will be subject to change with the season.

“We are excited to bring this vital service to North Idaho,” said Ryan Crabtree, ITD Business Operations Manager. “By providing this dedicated vehicle, we are not only helping drivers get back on the road more quickly but also improving safety for everyone by reducing the risks associated with stopped vehicles in high-traffic areas.”

The new program builds on the success of a similar initiative in the Treasure Valley region of Southern Idaho, which has been operational since 1997. In fact, this initial vehicle was donated by ITD’s southern district. District One plans to add an additional incident response truck to its fleet later this summer

This new program also aims to support law enforcement agencies by helping to alleviate some of their non-emergency calls for traffic issues. With the addition of ITD’s Incident Response Truck, local law enforcement can focus on more complex and urgent matters, while ITD staff handle minor incidents and roadside assistance. For more critical traffic incidents that require police investigation, the IRV can help to provide additional traffic control to ensure the safety of first responders and other drivers on the road.

“We look forward to working closely with local law enforcement agencies to ensure a coordinated response to incidents,” Crabtree said. “This collaboration will help ensure that our highways are safer and that we are meeting the needs of the community.”

ITD encourages drivers to slow down and “move over” in accordance with Idaho law when emergency vehicles like this one are operating.

Anyone finding themselves in need of assistance, especially through the work zones or on busy roadways, should report emergencies to 911 or non-emergencies to local law enforcement.

Drivers urged to use US-95 Aht’Wy Interchange for safety

The Nez Perce Tribal Police, with the support of the Idaho State Police (ISP) and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), are urging drivers to follow posted signage and use the Aht’Wy Interchange on U.S. Highway 95 near the Clearwater River Casino and Lodge. Motorists who disregard road closures and traffic signs create dangerous situations that could lead to serious crashes and fatalities.

Since the interchange was opened at the eastern entrance and access at the western entrance was modified, all agencies have observed unsafe behavior. Eastbound drivers on US-95 have been seen illegally crossing the unpaved median to turn left into the access near the Nez Perce Express gas station, rather than traveling a half mile further to use the interchange. Some have even waited in oncoming traffic to make the prohibited turn, risking head-on crashes.

In response, ITD has increased signage and added barriers to further deter travelers from making this movement while soliciting the support of law enforcement.

“Drivers must pay attention to posted signage and recognize that this is a change,” said Nez Perce Tribal Chief of Police Mark Bensen. “While adjustments take time, using the interchange correctly is essential for everyone’s safety. This solution is designed to be safer for all drivers and reduce the risk of serious crashes.”

The western access to Aht’Wy Plaza near the gas station is one way and does not allow left turns of any kind. Drivers looking to turn left into the plaza or to exit the gas station should use the interchange.

Proper Use of the Aht’Wy Interchange

Entering

Take the Nez Perce Drive exit off the highway.
Slow down and stop at the intersection.
Turn onto Nez Perce Drive to access Aht’Wy Plaza.

Exiting

Follow signs on Nez Perce Drive back toward the interchange.
Use the appropriate exit ramp for Lewiston or Orofino.
Accelerate down the ramp to highway level and safely merge with US-95 traffic.

ISP troopers continue to monitor compliance and emphasize that changes in driver behavior are necessary to prevent further incidents.

“Too many motorists are ignoring traffic control measures and creating serious risks to other drivers,” said ISP Lieutenant Ken Yount. “We will continue having a presence in the area to ensure compliance and improve safety.”

The interchange is part of a significant engineering initiative to enhance traffic safety and reduce collisions in an area historically prone to fatal accidents.

“This interchange was carefully designed and implemented to improve traffic flow and minimize conflict points, ultimately reducing the potential for severe crashes,” said ITD District 2 Engineer Doral Hoff. “These changes prioritize safety and efficiency for all drivers, and we strongly encourage motorists to use the interchange as intended to prevent further tragedies.”

A downloadable map is available to help drivers better understand the interchange and ensure safe travel.

For more information, please contact the Nez Perce Tribal Police, ISP, or ITD.