New tool helps drive truck-parking solutions

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)’s Carbon-Reduction Program encourages state DOTs to pursue projects and strategies that lower transportation-related emissions. With a significant shortage of safe and reliable truck parking statewide, ITD decided to use the funding to address this need.

Collaboration by ITD’s Planning team, GIS team and the Federal Highway Administration developed a tool to bring together data, maps, and analysis to help the department evaluate potential truck-parking projects across the state highway system.

“The Truck Parking Demand Tool provides information for stakeholders and ITD staff to evaluate existing and propose new projects to expand our truck-parking network,” explained Abby Peterson, ITD Senior Planner.

The tool helps staff and partners:

Identify areas of demand.
Look at options for adding spaces.
Show the economic and environmental benefits of potential projects.

The tool also provides an easy-to-use, data-driven resource to identify truck-parking needs, analyze options, and make informed decisions.

It was most recently used to identify needs and fund improvements at the Bliss Rest Area in southern Idaho, shown at left.

“For communities, more available parking cuts down on unnecessary idling and emissions from trucks circling in search of spaces, directly supporting cleaner air and healthier environments,” Peterson said. “For the freight industry, efficient access to safe parking reduces delays, keeps goods moving, and strengthens supply chain reliability.”

Key ITD personnel involved in the development of the tool include Abby Peterson (Planning), Will Thoman (GIS), Freight Manager Caleb Forrey, ITD’s Planning and GIS teams, and FHWA Division staff. Pictured at right are Forrey, Peterson and Thoman.

The issue of truck parking has been in the news several times recently:

Inside America’s $100 Billion Truck Parking Crisis

New FHWA Chief Under Pressure to Fix Truck Parking

Part of the new I-90/SH-41 Interchange in Post Falls to open Friday morning

Street view of the SH-41 and Mullan Street intersection showing traffic on the existing lanes, and also the newly constructed lanes where traffic will shift to.

Drivers can expect some big changes at the Interstate 90 and State Highway 41 Interchange early Friday morning as the Idaho Transportation Department plans to open portions of the new Single Point Urban Interchange, or SPUI, that has been under construction since 2022. This shift marks a major milestone in the project and will significantly change how drivers move through the area.

For the first time, SH-41 traffic will be shifted to the west to run underneath the new bridges and connect to the heart of the SPUI. Drivers will also be able to use the new westbound on-ramp and eastbound off-ramp.

Making this shift will require several large-scale closures throughout the interchange area overnight on Thursday to set up cones, barriers, and signs that will safely route vehicles through the new traffic pattern. By early Friday morning motorists will be using parts of the new SPUI.

Here’s what drivers can expect Thursday from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.:

SH-41 will be closed from 12^th Ave to Seltice Way.
The eastbound off-ramp from I-90 will be closed.
The westbound on-ramp to I-90 will be closed.
Mullan Ave will be closed from SH-41 east to October Glory Street. This closure may be in effect for several days, rather than just overnight.

In addition to the overnight closures, there will be temporary changes to side street and business access along SH-41 between 12th Street and Neufeld Lane. The old highway is several feet higher than the new lanes being opened, so crews will need to lower the ground and add gravel to build temporary road connections. Some of these access points will be closed only overnight, while others may be closed for a week or longer. Signs will be posted and detours in place to help drivers and customers get where they need to go.

Drivers will need to pay close attention to signs and lane markings as they get used to the new layout, especially those traveling south on SH-41. After the traffic shift, drivers in the right lane south of Mullan Avenue will be required to merge onto the westbound I-90 on-ramp, where previously they had the option to either merge or continue south to Seltice Way.

View a graphic of where traffic will be.

“As we implement these traffic changes, we are asking drivers to please plan extra time and follow the signs and traffic control devices,” Project Manager Randy Durland said. “As drivers adjust to these changes, we appreciate everyone’s patience and extra attention in the work zone for the safety of both drivers and workers.”

The I-90/SH-41 Interchange upgrade is part of ITD’s broader investment in regional mobility, safety and long-term infrastructure improvements and is funded by Governor Little’s Leading Idaho program. For the remainder of the year, crews will focus on opening the westbound off-ramp and building the path for bicyclists and pedestrians along SH-41. The full interchange is expected to open next year, though impacts from the month-long operator strike in Washington may extend the duration of construction.

To learn more about the I-90/SH-41 project, visit the project website or email info@i90corridor.com.

Westbound ramps at Exit 211 will temporarily close beginning Friday

Starting Friday the westbound off-ramp and on-ramp for Interstate 84 at Exit 211 will close for two weeks to reconstruct the ramps.
Westbound traffic will be detoured to Exit 208, and eastbound traffic will be detoured to Exit 216; as seen in the map below.
The closure will allow the contractor to efficiently construct the ramps simultaneously, cutting the duration of traffic impacts by about one month.
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 Gov. 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 and for more information on the project go to the project website.

Overnight I-84 closures scheduled this week for overhead sign installation

CALDWELL – The Idaho Transportation Department will close sections of westbound Interstate 84 overnight Wednesday and Thursday for crews to install permanent overhead signs. Closures will occur from midnight to 5 a.m. each night.

What to expect:

All westbound lanes of I-84 between the Franklin Road and 10th Avenue interchanges will be closed Wednesday night.
Motorists will detour using the Franklin Road westbound off-ramp (Exit 29), Blaine Street, and the 10th Avenue westbound on-ramp. View a detour map.
All westbound lanes of I-84 between the 10th Avenue and Centennial Way interchanges will be closed Thursday night.
Motorists will detour using the 10th Avenue westbound off-ramp (Exit 28), Illinois Avenue, and the Centennial Way westbound on-ramp. View a detour map.

The speed limit in the construction zone is 55 miles per hour. Drivers should slow down, pay attention and follow all posted signs. Crews and heavy equipment will be working close to traffic.

This project is part of the I-84 corridor improvement project, which is expected to be finished in 2027. For more information and to sign up for email or text updates, visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/i-84-corridor or call (208) 334-8002.

Drivers can also use Idaho 511 to check for real-time traffic impacts related to construction projects and road conditions statewide.

Years-long closure of westbound Huetter Rest Area for passenger vehicles for I-90 construction starts tomorrow

Drone shot of both exits for the Huetter Rest Area between Post Falls and CDA

Beginning tomorrow at 7 a.m., the westbound Huetter Rest Area along Interstate 90 between Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene will close to non-commercial vehicles. Passenger cars and pickups will not be able to access the facility.

The eastbound Huetter Rest Area facility is unaffected by these closures and will remain open to both passenger vehicles and commercial trucks at this time. Closures to the eastbound facility aren’t expected until 2027.

This partial closure is a safety measure necessary to support construction for the I-90 expansion project as crews will be utilizing the area to stage equipment and materials.

The closure for passenger vehicles will remain in effect until the project is complete in 2029. Commercial truck parking and facility use will stay open for truck drivers until summer 2026, when the entire facility will close for construction.

During this time, drivers of passenger vehicles are encouraged to plan ahead and use available services in nearby communities such as Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls.

Idaho 511 is available as a free resource to drivers and is the best source of information for roadway and rest area closures state-wide.

Idaho’s 2025 100 Deadliest Days result in 88 fatalities

BOISE – During the 100 Deadliest Days, 88 people were killed in crashes on Idaho roads, according to preliminary data from the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS).

During this time, more people are on vacation, celebrating, or traveling, and risky driving behaviors tend to rise. Of the 60 people killed in motor vehicle crashes, 23 were not wearing seat belts. Nearly one-quarter of those killed this summer were motorcyclists.

“Every death is a tragedy,” said Jo Middleton, Highway Safety Manager. “We can save lives by always wearing a seat belt, driving engaged, driving sober, and slowing down so everyone can make it home safely.”

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and OHS are working hard to change this trend. In addition to gathering and sharing critical data, they are:

Increasing public awareness with statewide campaigns to educate drivers about high-risk behaviors during the 100 Deadliest Days.
Expanding enforcement efforts in partnership with local law enforcement to reduce impaired and aggressive driving and to boost seat belt use.
Engaging communities with outreach programs and safety resources that help drivers make smarter choices.
Enhancing and modernizing infrastructure to improve safety on Idaho’s roadways and reduce crash severity.

These efforts show ITD and OHS’s deep commitment to protecting Idahoans and saving lives, not just tracking statistics.

Top 10 Contributing Circumstances during the 100 Deadliest Days:

No seat belt use
Failure to maintain lane
Speeding
Alcohol impairment
Inattention
Driving left of center
Overcorrection
No helmet
Asleep, drowsy, or fatigued
Improper overtaking

Fatalities by ITD District and County (Preliminary):

District 1
Bonner – 1
Kootenai – 4

District 2
Benewah – 3
Idaho – 3
Nez Perce – 3

District 3
Adams – 1
Ada – 9
Boise – 3
Canyon – 8
Elmore – 5
Owyhee – 1
Payette – 1
Valley – 1

District 4
Cassia – 6
Gooding – 3
Jerome – 7
Lincoln – 1
Minidoka – 2
Twin Falls – 6

District 5
Bannock – 3
Bingham – 2
Oneida – 1
Power – 3

District 6
Bonneville – 4
Custer – 1
Fremont – 3
Madison – 3

*The 100 Deadliest Days are the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. All data is preliminary and subject to change.

Lane closures on US-26 near Palisades begin Monday

Travelers on U.S. Highway 26 near the Wyoming border will see one lane-closures and temporary traffic signals in place beginning Monday. The restrictions will allow space for the Idaho Transportation Department and contractor partners to remove hazardous trees in the Palisades area.

These efforts will begin at the Wyoming border, then move west as far as possible through the fall until halting for the season on November 1.

US-26 in east Idaho is a main route to the Jackson Hole and Teton Valley areas, with frequent influx of recreational and tourist traffic. Temporary signals will be in place Monday – Friday in short work zones where active work is occurring and removed from the roadway during weekends. Delays are anticipated to be approximately 15-20 minutes.

Motorists can follow the status and location of this project and others across the state on the Idaho 511 app or at 511.idaho.gov.

Bliss railroad crossing improvements begin this weekend on SH-26

State Highway 26 near Andersons Grain will be reduced to one lane beginning Saturday as crews address the deteriorating railroad crossing in Bliss.

Temporary traffic signals will be installed to safely direct vehicles through the work zone. Low clearance vehicles should find an alternate route due to limited clearance.

Work will replace the pavement and train tracks to make the crossing smoother and is expected to be complete by September 27.

Motorists should plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and follow posted signage in the Bliss area. Check 511.idaho.gov for updated traffic impacts.

ITD construction projects to resume following end of operator strike

Aerial view of I-90 between Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene.

The Idaho Transportation Department has been informed that the operator strike has officially ended, which is welcome news for our projects and for the traveling public. While this resolution is an important step forward, the work stoppage has caused delays that will affect original project milestones and completion dates.

At this stage, we are working closely with our contractors to reassess schedules, establish new priorities, and determine what can realistically be accomplished before winter. Over the next few weeks, we expect to have a clearer picture of revised timelines and how subcontractors will be scheduled across multiple job sites now that they are back in high demand. We will share those details as soon as they are available.

2025 Aviation Art Contest winners announced

A child's drawing of a plane and a sunrise.

BOISE—The Idaho Division of Aeronautics is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Aviation Art Contest! The annual contest is an opportunity for Idaho students from Ages 5-18 to exhibit their Artist View of Aviation. The theme was “Flying Yesterday & Tomorrow.”

First Place:

A drawing of Air Force One. — Ages 13-15 1st Place – Artwork by Jimmy

A series of drawings of aviation craft through history. — Ages 10-12 1st Place – Artwork by Kangwoon

A child's drawing of a future flying craft. — Ages 5-6 1st Place – Artwork by Owen

Second Place:

A child's drawing of a plane and hot air balloon seen through binoculars. — 5-6 years 2nd Place – Artwork by Dixie

A child's drawing of a fighter plane. — 7-9 years 2nd Place – Artwork by Owen

A child's drawing of two pilots. — 10-12 years 2nd place – Artwork by S.P.

A drawing of the Boise Airport, Boise Depot, and many planes. — Ages 13-15 2nd Place – Artwork by Kanghyeon

Runners Up:

A child's drawing of a fighter plane and sunset. — Ages 7-9 Runner Up – Artwork by Barrett

A child's drawing of two planes. — Ages 7-9 Runner Up – Artwork by Jerry

A child's drawing of aviation in the past and future. — Ages 10-12 Runner Up – Artwork by Sri Avanthika

A series of drawings of planes from history. — Ages 13-15 Runner Up – Artwork by Annalyse

A child's drawing of a fighter plane. Half of the artwork is black and white, half is in color. — Ages 13-15 Runner Up – Artwork by Josie

The first-place winners got an airplane ride, a copy of their artwork signed by Governor Brad Little, and a congratulatory letter. Second-place winners got $25 in art supplies, a copy of their artwork signed by the Governor, and a congratulatory letter.

Congratulations to all the winners and runners up and thank you to all the students who participated this year. The 2026 Aviation Art Contest will be announced in January 2026.