Soon you’ll drive a new freeway, from I-84 between Meridian and Nampa to points north
First there was Idaho 16, the rural highway that linked Idaho 44 , or State Street, to Emmett.
Then, in 2014, came a big extension: a 2.5-mile four-lane freeway from State Street south to U.S. 20-26, or Chinden Boulevard, with a bridge over the Boise River — the first new river crossing in the Treasure Valley in 20 years.
Now comes the big finale (or semifinale — more on that later): a second extension that will continue the four-lane freeway five more miles to a new interchange on Interstate 84.
No longer will southbound morning commuters have to turn at Chinden. No longer will northbound drivers have to fight stop-and-go traffic on intersecting streets to reach their destinations. The limited-access highway will speed traffic along.
As the whole Valley has grown exponentially, so has the congestion in Meridian and Canyon County.
After years in the making, the Idaho Transportation Department has started construction on its second phase of Idaho 16. The phase includes building off-ramps from the interstate, three intersections and two bridges over main roads in Meridian.
The highway will eventually connect Emmett, a growing city of 7,400 residents, to the interstate.
But it won’t bring the expansion north of State Street that has long been a dream of the Central Valley Expressway Coalition. Someday, maybe, the state will cough up the money, by itself or with help, to improve the rest of the old highway. Until then, Emmett commuters must wait.
Since the 1990s, the state has needed a north/south connection through the valley. The Transportation Department expanded Eagle Road in an effort to move traffic north and south, but as development in Meridian filled in around Eagle Road, so did motorists.
In 2014, the opening of the expansion’s first phase created a busy intersection at the highway and Chinden Boulevard.
After finally getting funding through Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation funds from the Idaho Legislature last spring, ITD began work on the project. The funds were part of a total $350 million that the Legislature approved for transportation projects in 2020.
ITD said crews began early construction of the I-84 on and off ramps last month, near Franklin Road. On the other end of the project, crews began work on U.S. 20/26 to remove the center median and widen the intersection with Idaho 16, ITD said in a news release.
As construction begins on the most substantial phase of the Idaho 16, here is what motorists should know as they commute through the Treasure Valley:
ITD plans to reconstruct the intersection of the existing Idaho 16 route and U.S. 20/26. The number of lanes on U.S. 20/26 and Idaho 16 will be reduced through next year as crews reconstruct the intersection.
McDermott Road access from U.S. 20/26 was closed permanently on Aug. 8, but McDermott Road will be open to local traffic between McMillan Road and U.S. 20/26. McDermott was also closed for work between Ustick and McMillan Roads. The new Idaho 16 will have an interchange at Ustick Road, according to the project website.
Crews will also construct a highway bridge over McMillan Road and Cherry Lane. They will add intersections onto the highway at Ustick and Franklin Roads.
Crews will build the on and off ramps to connect Idaho 16 to Interstate 84.
On Monday, ITD hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at U.S. 20/26 and Idaho 16 to celebrate the beginning of construction.
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