This July the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) begins the next phase of construction on the State Highway 16 corridor through the central Treasure Valley. The new extension will run north to south between U.S. Highway 20/26 and Interstate 84, west of McDermott Road along the border of Ada and Canyon counties. It will tie into the existing SH-16 route, which continues north to Emmett.
Monday, July 18, initial work starts on the southern end of the corridor where crews will set barriers and shift traffic to create room to build ramps and the bridge foundation for what will become an interchange connecting I-84 to the SH-16 extension. Drivers can expect overnight lane closures on I-84 between the Black Cat Road and Robinson Road overpasses from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Work begins on the northern end, at the intersection of SH-16 and US-20/26, Monday, August 1. Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction on US-20/26 as crews remove the center median and widen the intersection. Lane restrictions on US-20/26 will be in place through next year.
“We are excited to get underway with the next step of construction,” said ITD Project Manager Merrill Sharp. “Ultimately, this highway will address growth and improve mobility for thousands of motorists in the central Treasure Valley.”
ITD is building SH-16 in phases. The first phase was completed in 2014 between US-20/26 and SH-44. The second phase will be under construction from 2022 to 2024. A third and final phase will be constructed in future years as funding becomes available.
Phase 2 includes constructing:
- A new I-84 interchange to access the central Treasure Valley north of I-84.
- Approximately 4.5 miles of highway between US-20/26 and I-84.
- Overpasses crossing Cherry Lane and McMillan Road.
- Bridges over irrigation canals and the railroad.
- Signalized intersections at US-20/26, Franklin Road, and Ustick Road.
- Reconstruction of the current signalized intersection at US-20/26.
Early construction activities will also include increased truck traffic in the area as crews haul materials and utility companies relocate infrastructure. Construction may require additional closures or delays on roads in the project area and nighttime work. “It will be important to plan ahead when traveling around the corridor. ITD will communicate regularly throughout construction with those who live, work, and commute in this area,” Sharp said.
Stay informed by signing up for email and text alerts regarding project updates. Text HIGHWAY16 to 1-866-483-8422 or visit itdprojects.org/sh16corridor. Maps and other details can also be found on the project website.
Phase 2 construction is funded through Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiative. Leading Idaho allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to invest in projects within the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) corridors that will enhance safety, improve mobility, further strengthen Idaho’s economy and positively impact communities across the state for years to come.