SH-16 interchange construction accelerated, set for 2027

IBR STAFF//February 10, 2025//

SH-16 will extend four miles from I-84 to SH-20/26, passing through major routes such as Franklin Road. (PHOTO: courtesy of ITD)

SH-16 will extend four miles from I-84 to SH-20/26, passing through major routes such as Franklin Road. (FILE PHOTO: courtesy of ITD)

IBR STAFF//February 10, 2025//

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Key Highlights

SH-16 interchange construction is now set to finish in 2027, a year early.
Work is being accelerated at I-84, Franklin Rd, Ustick Rd, SH-20/26, and SH-44.
ITD credits additional funding and efficient management for the speedup.
Nighttime detours at SH-20/26 interchange start Feb. 10 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

As work continues on the State Highway 16 corridor from Interstate 84 to State Highway 44 and 20/26, the Idaho Transportation Department is ramping up work.

Specifically, the agency stated it will speed up the construction on multiple interchanges on the project, bringing construction to a finish a year earlier than expected in 2027.

Access points to the new stretch of SH-16 will be at I-84, Franklin Road, Ustick Road, SH-20/26 and SH-44.

“ITD is able to accelerate these interchanges due to a number of factors, including additional funding and efficient management,” District Engineer Jason Brinkman said. “We are very proud of the work that has been accomplished, and we are confident this project will improve the mobility for large parts of Ada, Canyon and Gem counties.”

The accelerated construction is being fueled with Leading Idaho funds. Instead of construction occurring in just one section of the roadway at a time, multiple areas will have crews working to complete the project. On Feb. 10, nighttime detours will be in effect at the SH-20/26 interchange from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. over the next three weeks. The work involves crews placing 12 83,000-ound girders across the existing highway for the new interchange bridge.

While work on the interchange at Ustick Road is currently underway, expansion of the interchange at I-84 and SH-16 and a new interchange at Franklin Road will start this spring. ITD stated that the SH-44 interchange is projected to begin this fall.

Initial work on the project began 11 years ago on SH-16, connecting SH-44 and SH-20/26. The larger stretch of the project, or phase two, began in 2022 to construct the “mainline highway,” part of the I-84 interchange and several of the overpasses. According to ITD, the final phase was sped up when more funding was made available through the Idaho Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation bonding program.

Those funds, the agency stated, have allowed it to accelerate completion of its projects due to the rapid growth of the region.