Projects

SH-16 from SH-44 to SH-52

ITD is conducting an environmental reevaluation to gather updated traffic numbers and study potential impacts that improvements would have to the area.

SH-16 from SH-44 to SH-52

ITD is conducting an environmental reevaluation to gather updated traffic numbers and study potential impacts that improvements would have to the area.

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
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Project Update

Thank you to everyone who has participated with us throughout this project! To watch our final thank-you video from the September 2025 meetings, please click below.
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Project map showing SH-16 from SH-44 to SH-52.

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, 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.

Planned Improvements

As part of the reevaluation process, ITD has developed plans to improve SH-16. Improvements include:

SH-16 at Freezeout Hill.
  • 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.
  • Drainage ponds to collect runoff water from the expanded roadway.

Community Input

Community involvement is important to ITD and to the success of this project.

ITD hosted in-person and online meetings in Dec. 2023, Aug. 2024, and Sept. 2025 to gather input and feedback from the community.

To view information presented at the meetings, please visit the online open house links in the Downloads & Resources section below.

Community members review information at September 2025 public meeting in Emmett.

Questions?

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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

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