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

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.

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.

Gathering input on Rathdrum Prairie transportation study

Traffic congestion on US-95 in Coeur d'Alene

The Idaho Transportation Department is inviting the public to provide feedback that will help shape the future of roads and highways across the Rathdrum Prairie.

The Rathdrum Prairie Area Transportation Study began with more than 50 ideas for improving travel across Kootenai County. Through earlier rounds of public input and technical review, those concepts have been narrowed to 13 alternatives. These options focus on improving safety, reducing congestion, and keeping traffic moving as the region grows.

Two upcoming public meetings will give community members a chance to see how the alternatives were compared and which ones are recommended to move forward. Feedback from this round will help the study team narrow the list of alternatives even further and shape the recommendations that will guide future projects across the Rathdrum Prairie.

MEETING DETAILS:

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025

4:30 – 7 p.m.

Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce

105 N. 1^st St.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Thursday, Sept 18, 2025

4:30 – 7 p.m.

Q’emiln Park Trailhead Event Center

12201 W. Parkway Dr.

Post Falls, Idaho

Both meetings will be held in an open-house style so people can drop in anytime. Displays will show updates, and staff will be available to answer questions and gather feedback. The events are open to everyone, including families.

Those who cannot attend in person can review identical information online from Sept. 17 through Oct. 1 at https://itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/rathdrum-prairie-pel

Public invited to review results of SH-16 environmental reevaluation

SH-16 , a multil lane highway runs through rural Idaho, a high desert environment

The Idaho Transportation Department invites community members to attend open house meetings to learn about the environmental reevaluation for State Highway 16 between State Highway 44 in Ada County and State Highway 52 in Gem County.

The meetings will provide an update on the study, outline the next steps toward environmental clearance, and share anticipated project phasing and future improvements. Both meetings will present the same information.

In-person open house details:

Monday, Sep. 15 (Eagle)
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (drop in anytime)
Eagle Christian Church, 100 S Short Rd, Eagle
Tuesday, Sep. 16 (Emmett)
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (drop in anytime)
Kenneth Carberry Elementary, 1950 E 12th St, Emmett

The same materials will be available online from Sep. 15 through 29 at sh1644to52.com for those unable to attend in person.

“We encourage the community to attend and learn about the reevaluation results and next steps,” ITD Project Manager Mark Wasdahl said. “We appreciate all the feedback we’ve received from community members, property owners, local agencies and many others throughout this process.”

ITD originally completed an environmental assessment for SH-16 in 2005 to evaluate long-term improvements. The current reevaluation is the first step in advancing the project to final design. This phase ensures the project aligns with current safety, environmental, and community standards. Once complete, the project will move into final design, with construction beginning when design is finalized and funding is secured.

For more information, contact the project team at sh16corridor@itd.idaho.gov or (208) 334-8008, or visit sh1644to52.com.