ITD installs permanent flag memorial on Cloverdale overpass

BOISE - The Idaho Transportation Department installed permanent American flag signs on the Cloverdale Road overpass above Interstate 84 overnight to serve as a lasting memorial to the airmen who lost their lives in a 2018 crash.

The signs will replace the fabric flags that had been placed on the overpass fence by community members in tribute. While the flags were a meaningful expression of remembrance, they were not designed for long-term outdoor installation along a high-traffic interstate corridor.

The new signs are designed to provide a durable, respectful and consistent display that can withstand weather and roadway conditions. They have been permanently mounted to ensure the memorial remains in place safely and securely.

In recent years, community members have gathered at the overpass to honor the fallen airmen, and the site has become an informal place of remembrance. After vandalism damaged previously installed flags earlier this year, ITD worked quickly with local partners to restore the display. The department also committed to identifying a more permanent solution.

ITD maintains more than 12,000 lane miles of roadway and hundreds of bridges across Idaho. Memorial displays on highway structures must meet safety and maintenance standards to ensure they do not pose risks to motorists or maintenance crews.