Overview
ITD is in the final stages of an environmental reevaluation of State Highway 16 between SH-44 in Ada County and SH-52 in Gem County.
During the reevaluation, ITD has gathered:
- Updated traffic numbers
- Information about potential impacts to the area
- Factors from the public to consider during the design process
Project Update
Background
Since the last major studies were completed in 2004 and 2005, several conditions along the corridor have changed, including:
- Population growth
- An increase in traffic and development
- An increase in crashes and severity of crashes
In addition, ITD is constructing a highway from I-84 to the Junction of SH-16/SH-44. This, along with the factors mentioned above, has made updating the environmental assessment necessary for the design and construction of potential improvements.
Need for Project
Since the last major studies were completed in 2004 and 2005, several conditions along the corridor have changed, including:
- Population growth
- An increase in traffic and development
- An increase in crashes and severity of crashes
In addition, construction to extend SH-16 to Interstate 84 is currently underway. This, along with the factors mentioned above, has made updating the environmental assessment necessary for the design and construction of potential improvements.
Improvement plans
As part of the reevaluation process, ITD has developed plans to improve SH-16. Improvements include:
- Drainage ponds to collect run-off water from the expanded roadway.
- Widening SH-16 to four lanes and adding a median barrier to most of the corridor.
- An overpass at Floating Feather Road.
- An interchange at Beacon Light Road.
- Right-in/right-out intersections at Chaparral Road, Jackass Gulch Road, and Cherry Lane.
- Access roads that connect homes and businesses to SH-16 access points.
Community Input
Community involvement is important to ITD and to the success of this project. ITD will provide multiple opportunities for community members to provide input during the environmental reevaluation process.
The Idaho Transportation Department held two in-person meetings for community members to learn more about the project on Dec. 4 & 6, 2023. Information was also made available online through Dec. 21, 2023.
A second round of in-person open houses was held on Aug. 1 & 5, 2024. Information was also made available online through Aug. 19, 2024. Click here to watch an FAQ video from the Aug. 2024 meetings.
A third and final round of open houses was held in person (Sept. 15 & 16, 2025) and online (Sept. 15 – 29, 2025) to share the status of the environmental revaluation study and present final plans. Click here to watch a thank-you video from the Sept. 2025 meetings.
Timeline
-
October 2022
Idaho Transportation Board approves funding to conduct the reevaluation
-
Summer 2023
Begin environmental reevaluation: traffic, access control, safety studies, resource assessment
-
Dec. 2023
Develop design modifications to the preferred alternative and host the first public meeting
-
Aug. 2024
Refine concepts and host second public meeting
-
Fall 2024
Approve the modified preferred alternative
-
Winter 2024
Complete traffic and environmental reports
-
Spring 2025
Review traffic and environmental reports
-
Summer 2025
Final reevaluation approval and host third public meeting
Downloads & Resources
Project Materials
Public meeting #3 (Sept. 2025)
Public meeting #2 (Aug. 2024)
Public meeting #1 (Dec. 2023)
Other resources
-
Land use planning