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SH-21 to close north of Grandjean tomorrow due to increased rainfall

A highway is partially covered in mud and debris from a recent slide. A blue car is stuck in the muddy roadway while a worker in a high-visibility jacket looks on from the side. The scene is surrounded by burned trees and forested hills under an overcast sky.

The Idaho Transportation Department will close State Highway 21 north of Grandjean tomorrow as additional rain enters the area to address ongoing safety hazards caused by recent landslides.

Though a closure was initially scheduled for Oct. 7, anticipated increased rainfall will continue to destabilize the area, triggering additional mudslides that threaten motorists and ITD crews. To protect the public and allow for emergency repairs, the highway will close with the storm’s arrival tomorrow. Crews expect to reopen the road by Wednesday. The area is experiencing increased slope instability due to burn scars left by the Wapiti Fire.

During the closure, crews will complete the previously scheduled emergency repairs caused by the August 2025 landslide, which plugged an existing culvert and diverted Canyon Creek to the east side of the highway. The creek is now flowing along the shoulder and eroding the road. Installing a new six-foot culvert across both lanes will restore the creek to its natural channel and protect the roadway from further erosion.

For updates on traffic conditions and closures visit 511.idaho.gov or download the Idaho 511 mobile app.

Idaho students invited to ‘Name a Snowplow’ again this fall

Two ITD snowplows. One has been digitally altered to say "Winning Name Here" on the front of the plow.

BOISE – The Idaho Transportation Department is excited to announce the 2nd annual ‘Name a Snowplow’ contest! The program invites Idaho students to submit creative names for ITD snowplows and learn about winter driving safety at the same time.

Beginning October 1, 6-12 grade classrooms across Idaho can work with their teachers to submit name ideas. Entries will be accepted throughout October, and the winning names will be announced by the end of the year.

“Our snowplow drivers are thrilled to see students getting involved in this fun, educational opportunity that also highlights the importance of winter driving safety,” said Scott Stokes, Director of ITD.

Two snowplows in each of ITD’s six regions will receive student-chosen names through voting by ITD employees. Winning names will appear directly on the plows, and each winning classroom will get a visit from “their” snowplow and driver for a winter safety presentation. Local news media will also be invited to attend these plow-naming events.

The contest is designed to help teachers introduce winter driving safety messages to students, some of whom may soon be in driver’s education classes. Adding distinctive names to plows also encourages all motorists to notice and be patient around these essential winter vehicles.

A big thank-you to the Department of Education for supporting this fun and educational opportunity.
See full contest rules.

Teachers 6-12 interested in having their class participate, contact: itdcommunication@itd.idaho.gov

View last year’s winners.

Name a Snowplow

Two ITD snowplows. One has been digitally altered to say "Winning Name Here" on the front of the plow.

After a successful pilot last year, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is naming more snowplows this winter season! Name A Snowplow is a fun way to spread awareness about snowplow safety, foster a sense of ownership among the community, and teach future drivers how to be safe when driving near snowplows. This year we are expanding the eligible grade ranges to all 6th through 12th grade classrooms.  

We are asking Idaho students and their teachers to come up with names as a class and submit them by October 31, 2025. Instructions and the form to submit names are below. 

Contest Rules: 

Eligibility 

Submission Guidelines 

  • One name per classroom.
  • Names must be appropriate | MAX 15 characters (including spaces).
  • Submit name via Microsoft Form (Please only submit if you are a teacher or homeschool parent).

*If the same name is submitted by multiple classrooms, only the first entry received will be considered. 

Selection Process 

  • Names must be submitted by October 31.
  • ITD employees will vote on submissions in November.
  • 12 winning names will be selected—two from each of ITD’s six districts. Winners will be announced before the end of the year.
  • Winning classrooms will receive recognition and a special visit from the snowplow bearing its chosen name. Media will be invited to cover the event.

Additional Information 

  • Classrooms are free to conduct their own internal voting to select their submission.
  • Submissions that do not meet the criteria will be disqualified.
  • By submitting a snowplow name, you grant ITD all rights to use, display and publish the name for promotional purposes.

Timeline

  • Classrooms submit names October 1 to 31, 2025.
  • ITD Employees vote on names in November 2025.
  • Winners announced December 2025.
  • Plow visits with winning classrooms December 2025 through February 2026.

Interested in participating? 

  • If you have a child in middle or high school, ask if his or her classroom is submitting a name and share this page with the teacher. 
  • Help spread the word on social media.
  • Talk to your kids, friends, or family about snowplow safety. Visit the Idaho Ready page for winter safety information. 

Last year’s names:

A graphic of Idaho showing the named plows.

  • The Berminator
  • Big Snowplowski
  • Alpha Storm One
  • Plowabunga!
  • Clearapathra
  • NoMoreMr.IceGuy
  • Plowasaurus Rex
  • Darth Blader
  • Snow Daddy
  • Snow Ranger
  • Antisnowcial
  • POW POW KA PLOW

ITD and ISP to host free winter driving classes for the community

An ice -covered roadway in winter.

 

As snow season approaches, the Idaho Transportation Department and Idaho State Police are once again teaming up to offer free winter driving safety classes inNorth Idaho. The first one of the year is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon at the ISP District Office in Coeur d’Alene.

These annual classes have become a community tradition, giving drivers of all ages the knowledge and confidence to handle icy roads and unpredictable weather. Courses are taught by state troopers and ITD operators and cover everything from vehicle preparation and proper equipment to crash response, road conditions, and snowplow safety.

“North Idaho winters can be challenging, but preparation makes all the difference,” said Daryl Rise, a plow operator. “These classes are a great way for drivers, especially teens and new residents, to build safe driving habits before winter conditions hit.”

While these classes are open to everyone of all ages and skill levels, they are especially valuable for:

  • New drivers, ages 14–17, including those preparing to start driver’s education in the next year
  • Young drivers with limited winter driving experience
  • New residents facing their first Idaho winter

Registration & Schedule
Several classes are currently scheduled on Saturdays in Coeur d’Alene through mid-December, with additional sessions being added statewide.

Anyone interested should check the ITD website for the most current dates, times and locations as new classes may be added. Registration is required for each participant, and a full list of classes with registration links can be found at:

Participants who complete a class will also receive a coupon for 10 percent off a new set of snow tires at any Les Schwab Tires store location in North Idaho. ITD and ISP extend a special thank you to Les Schwab stores for valuing driver safety and supporting these efforts through their partnership.

Motorists can expect traffic changes next week on SH-16 near SH-44

Cones in truck

The Idaho Transportation Department will shift traffic and reduce State Highway 16 to one lane in each direction between the Boise River Bridge and State Highway 44 on Sunday. These traffic changes will allow crews to prepare and place concrete for SH-16 and build the northbound off-ramp for the new interchange.

Motorists can expect:

  • Northbound SH-16 traffic will be shifted onto the southbound lanes.
  • All lanes of SH-16 will be open at the intersection with normal traffic operations
  • The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph.

Motorists are advised to use caution and plan extra time when traveling through the area.

“This is a challenging work zone, and we are actively looking at ways to improve traffic flow through the area,” said Styles Salek, ITD Design and Construction Engineer. “The new layout next week will allow us to complete the next two phases of construction. This helps our crews work more efficiently and reduces the number of traffic shifts during construction.”

The SH-16/SH-44 Interchange began construction in August 2025 and is part of the long-term vision for SH-16. When complete in 2027, SH-16 will be a limited-access freeway between I-84 and SH-44. Motorists will use interchanges to enter or exit the highway at I-84, Franklin Road, Ustick Road, US-20/26 and SH-44. The interchange project is $55 million.

Motorists are encouraged to text HIGHWAY16 to 1-866-483-8422 for email or text alerts. For maps and details about the project, please visit itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh16corridor.

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 12th 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

Exit 211 Detour

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

An overhead map in blue and orange of the construction area with a highlighted detour area.

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.