Overview
► ITD is designing plans to widen SH-16 between SH-44 and Beacon Light Road.
During this project, ITD will confirm traffic data and gather technical information, develop plans to widen and improve the roadway, gather input from agencies, stakeholders and community members, and conduct an environmental reevaluation.
Improvement Plans
Proposed improvements to State Highway 16 include:
- Widening SH-16 to four lanes with a median barrier.
- Building an overpass at Floating Feather Road.
- A possible noise barrier on the west side of SH-16 between Broken Arrow Road and W Maysville Street.
Questions?
Give us a call or email the project team.
Project Need
Construction to connect Highway 16 from US-20/26 to I-84 is underway. Once complete, thousands of motorists will travel on SH-16 between I-84 and SH-52 in Emmett.
This project will help transition traffic onto the existing highway system and is the first phase of SH-16 widening from SH-44 to Emmett.
Community Input
Community involvement is important to ITD and to the success of the project.
During the environmental reevaluation project from SH-44 to Emmett, ITD held three public meetings in Dec. 2023, Aug. 2024 and Sept. 2025. During those meetings, ITD heard feedback from community members and local agencies about limiting access onto the highway. Keeping traffic moving and limiting slow-downs was a top priority for the community. ITD used this feedback to proceed with studying future improvements for the corridor.
ITD will continue to work with community members, stakeholders, property owners, and local agencies throughout the design process for this project. ITD will provide several opportunities for the public to provide input. Details to participate will be posted to this website. A public meeting for this project is anticipated to occur in Summer 2026.
Background
Between 2023 and 2025, ITD reevaluated plans to improve SH-16 between SH-44 and SH-52 in Emmett. This process allowed ITD to gather updated traffic numbers, information about potential impacts, and input from the public.
This project between SH-44 and Beacon Light Road is the first section to move forward to the design phase.
Funding
Timeline
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Early 2026
Start work on design plans.
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Spring 2026
Stakeholder/property owner coordination.
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Summer 2026
Host public meeting and gather input.
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Fall 2026/2027
Finalize design plans and begin right-of-way acquisitions.
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Construction TBD
Begin construction when funding becomes available.
SH-16 to I-84
Questions about construction to connect SH-16 to I-84? Visit the project website below.
Frequently Asked Questions
► What will this project include?
ITD is designing plans to widen State Highway 16 between SH-44 and Beacon Light Road in Star and Eagle. The design process will include:
- Confirming traffic data and gathering technical information.
- Developing design plans to widen and improve the roadway.
- Gathering input from agencies, stakeholders and community members.
- Conducting an environmental reevaluation.
- Purchasing right-of-way.
► Why is this project needed?
ITD is currently constructing an expansion of SH-16 from US-20/26 (Chinden Blvd) to Interstate 84. This will ultimately connect 20 miles of SH-16 from I-84 to SH-52 in Gem County. This will increase capacity and mobility for motorists and provide a north-south route for the central Treasure Valley. Improvements are needed between SH-44 and Beacon Light Road to help transition SH-16 from the Interstate into the existing highway.
► Has ITD studied this area before?
Yes, ITD completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 2004 and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) study in 2005. These studies allowed ITD to develop early improvement plans for the corridor.
In 2023, ITD began an Environmental Reevaluation of SH-16 between SH-44 and SH-52 in Gem County. This project allowed ITD to reevaluate traffic numbers, crash data, population growth, environmental impacts, and other factors. Based on this updated information, ITD reassessed the early improvement plans from 2005 and developed new plans for the corridor. For more information about that project, please visit: https://itd.idaho.gov/project/sh-16-from-sh-44-to-sh-52.
► How will ITD be addressing access on and off SH-16?
Limiting access to SH-16 will allow for improved safety and traffic flow. Driveways and approaches will be consolidated onto access roads that connect to designated SH-16 access points. In this section of SH-16, there will be two access points:
- SH-44
- Beacon Light Road
An overpass at Floating Feather Road will provide east/west community connections across SH-16 for emergency responders, school buses and others, and prevent the disruption of free-flowing traffic on the expanded SH-16 highway.
► Will the Beacon Light Road intersection be improved?
This project includes the widening of SH-16 up to Beacon Light Road, but will not include the interchange planned for this intersection. The interchange will be part of a future project. However, the Valnova development was required to widen this intersection starting in Summer 2025 as part of their development agreement with ITD.
► Will this project require right-of-way acquisition?
Yes, ITD will be purchasing right-of-way in order to widen SH-16 to four lanes and add drainage areas for additional run-off water. In Fall 2024, ITD met with property owners adjacent to SH-16 to establish a line of communication and let them know about potential property impacts. As part of this project, ITD will meet again with all impacted property owners in Spring/Summer 2026 to share updated right-of-way needs and begin discussions of property acquisition. ITD will continue to work with community members, stakeholders, property owners, and local agencies throughout the design process for this project. ITD will provide several opportunities for the public to provide input. Details to participate will be posted to this website. A public meeting for this project is anticipated to occur in Summer 2026.
► Who is ITD working with during this project?
ITD will continue to work with several agencies and stakeholders whose partnership was established throughout the environmental reevaluation of SH-16 between SH-44 and SH-52, including:
- Cities of Star and Eagle, Ada County
- Ada County Highway District, COMPASS, BLM
- HOAs, schools, businesses, developers, irrigation districts and utility agencies
- Surrounding communities, the public, and corridor users
ITD will continue communicating with the community through a variety of channels and host events for the public and stakeholders to provide input.