Leading Idaho: Highway 16 Extension

ITD is building Highway 16 in multiple phases:

• Construction of Phase 1 was completed in 2014 between U.S. 20/26 and SH-44.
• Construction of Phase 2 is expected to begin in 2022 and be completed within 2-3 years. This phase will include the remaining 5 miles of roadway, bridges over Cherry Lane and McMillan Road, and at-grade intersections where future interchange ramps will be.
• The “ultimate vision” will include interchanges with bridges over Franklin Road, Ustick Road, U.S. 20/26 and SH-44. ITD is beginning design of these interchanges. Once these interchanges are funded, ITD will begin construction as quickly as design plans are finished.

Construction of Phase 2 is funded and will begin in 2022. It is expected to take 2-3 years to complete. At this point, it is too early to know the location where ITD will begin construction. ITD is preparing construction plans and will work closely with the construction contractor(s) to complete the work as efficiently as possible.

ITD has been in conversation with property owners for many years. ITD continues to make significant progress on the acquisition of property needed for this project.

Because Highway 16 will be a high speed, limited access highway, it is not a route for pedestrians and cyclists traveling north or south. However, there are existing north-south roads that parallel Highway 16 and will provide for bike and pedestrian travel.

The project will accommodate east-west travel by cyclists and pedestrians in several locations.

• Franklin Road will include sidewalks and bicycle lanes within the project limits.
• Ustick Road will include shared-use pathways on both sides of the road within the project limits.
• S. 20/26 will include a shared-use pathway within the project limits.
• The bridges going over McMillan Road, Ten Mile Creek, Five Mile Creek, Cherry Lane and the railroad tracks are long enough for bicycle/pedestrian pathways to be built by local jurisdictions in the future.

No. ITD completed a detailed noise evaluation in 2010 and updated the study in 2020. The noise evaluation concluded that noise walls did not meet federal or state policies to be built at project expense.

ITD is planning to update the long-range plan for this section of Highway 16. The department is also working with local jurisdictions to mitigate the impact of new development along the corridor. This may include small changes to the roadway. Additionally, the cities of Star and Eagle are currently collecting proportionate share costs from new developments to help fund major improvements in the future.

No. Highway 16 will be a limited-access expressway, unlike Eagle Road. Motorists will only be able to get on or off the new highway at I-84, Franklin, Ustick, 20/26 and SH-44. Driveways will not be permitted along the highway at any stage of this project.