Frequently Asked Questions

You've got questions, we've got answers!

Here are some of the most common questions we've received about this project.

Reevaluation FAQs

What does the environmental reevaluation process include?

The SH-16, SH-44 to SH-52 environmental reevaluation includes:

  • Gathering updated information about population growth, traffic and safety.
  • Developing modifications to the preferred alternative from the original environmental document.
  • Analyzing possible environmental or social impacts from improvements.
  • Gathering input from agencies, stakeholders and community members.

Once the reevaluation process is complete, the project will be eligible for design and construction funding.


What was included in the original 2005 Environmental Assessment?

ITD completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) in August 2004 and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in April 2005. The improvements that ITD received environmental approval for in 2005 included:

  • Expanding the two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway with a 4-ft painted median
  • Keeping the highway on the existing alignment
  • Building an interchange at SH-16 and Cherry Lane in Emmett.
  • Positioning intersections and other access points at every half-mile in urban areas and every mile in rural areas
  • Building frontage and backage roads along SH-16.


Reevaluation FAQs

What is the purpose and need of ​the project (updated 2024)?

Since the original approval of the Finding of No Significant ​Impact (FONSI) for the SH-16, SH-44 to SH-52 ​Environmental Assessment (EA), a new freeway was ​planned, documented, acquired, and is under ​construction connecting this corridor to I-84 to the ​south. Additionally, changes to IDAPA Rules regarding ​access control have occurred. These changes required ​updates to the project Purpose and Need in order to ​taper from a freeway to an urban arterial over ​approximately 14 miles of the SH- 16 corridor.


Purpose: The purpose of this project is to meet capacity ​and safety requirements on SH-16, from its intersection ​with SH-44 to SH-52 in Emmett, based on the projected ​2050 traffic volumes.

Need:

  • SH-16 needs highway safety and capacity ​improvements to bring SH-16 up to current standards ​and taper the project facility from south to north from ​a freeway to a high-function expressway to a ​transitional/urban arterial.
  • SH-16 needs congestion to be alleviated by providing ​adequate capacity and level of service for 2050 ​traffic.
  • SH-16 needs existing and future access to be ​improved and consolidated in accordance to IDAPA ​Rule 39.03.42 and changes in functional classification.


Can ITD deviate from the ​improvements that were ​approved in 2005?

Any proposed modifications to the approved ​highway improvements from 2005 must align with ​the parameters established by the original ​environmental assessment. This project allows ITD ​to reassess traffic patterns, population growth and ​pertinent environmental variables, for the purpose ​of updating the 2005 improvement plans while ​maintaining adherence to the original framework.

What work was completed in ​2023?

ITD has done extensive work since the project ​began in June 2023. Work has included field ​investigations, traffic modeling and evaluation, ​meeting with numerous stakeholders and ​agencies, and updating the purpose and need ​statement.

Based on this work, ITD generated 7 possible ​modifications to the preferred alternative from the ​original environmental assessment. These ​modifications were presented at 2 public meetings ​in Dec. 2023 (click here to view more information). ​ITD will continue to refine modifications and ​present updated plans at future meetings.

Traffic FAQs

What is the crash history of the SH-16 project area?

Between 2007 and 2011, there were 152 crashes. Between 2017 and 2021, there were 288 crashes. Below is a breakdown of the types of crashes.


 

2007-2011

Percent of Total

2017-2021

Percent of Total

Total

152

100%

288

100%

Multi Vehicle

63

41%

179

62%

Single Vehicle

89

59%

109

38%

Wet or Icy

37

24%

47

16%

Dry

118

78%

241

84%

Night

65

43%

105

36%

Day

87

57%

183

64%

Intersection

45

30%

95

33%

Non Intersection

107

70%

193

67%

 




 

Rear-end

22

14%

78

27%

Angle

15

10%

35

12%

Side-swipe

4

3%

28

10%

Head On

15

10%

20

7%

Animals

24

16%

47

16%

What are the current and future traffic volumes?

Design FAQs

What factors does ITD consider when designing improvements?

ITD considers many factors during the design process. Improvements must be consistent with what was approved in the original 2005 environmental assessment. Considerations for traffic operations include:

  • Travel time
  • Delay
  • Queue lengths
  • Safety

Other design considerations include:

  • New SH-16 construction south of SH-44
  • Cost of structures
  • Noise impacts
  • Property impact assessment
  • Driver expectations

In addition, ITD is also gathering design considerations from the community, local agencies, stakeholders and property owners.

Has ITD removed any potential design modifications?

Yes. Several design modifications were removed early in the process:

  • Modifications to the proposed SH-44/SH-16 interchange
    • This modification has been completed and approved under a different environmental document.
  • Local access roads (collector roads) between Floating Feather and Beacon Light
    • Adjacent developments have built a different system of roads that serve the same purpose. ITD is not advancing these new modifications developed in 2023.
  • Roundabout at Floating Feather
    • Significant impacts to development and undesirable interchange spacing to SH-44/SH-16 Interchange.
  • Cul-de-sac Cherry Lane in Emmett
    • This modification shifts operational problems to other local roads.


ITD also removed several potential modifications to SH-16 between Beacon Light Road and Floating Feather Road. These modifications were deemed fatally flawed with issues such as failing intersection performance, excessive traffic weaving and inconsistent access spacing.

Design FAQs

What modifications is ITD advancing?

IITD developed several modifications in 2023 to the preferred alternative established in 2005. The corridor has been split into four sections to show the various modifications:

  • SH-44 to ValNova (3 modifications)
  • ValNova to Chaparral (2 modifications)
  • Chaparral to Cherry (2 modifications)
  • Cherry to SH-52 (no modifications)

These modifications were presented at 2 public meetings in Dec. 2023. ITD will continue to refine modifications and present updated plans at future meetings.

What are local access roads?

A local access road runs parallel to the highway and gives access to houses and businesses.

Will ITD improve connections to SH-16 from local roads?

Local roads that continue to directly connect with SH-16 will be improved to safely and efficiently operate with the changes to SH-16.

Funding FAQs

The estimated total cost of this study is $2.95 million. The project is being funded through the federal portion of the gas tax.

Does ITD have funding for the design and construction of this project?

Currently, ITD does not have funding for the design and construction of this project. However, ITD is actively looking for funding because the new SH-16 freeway from I-84 to SH-44 will be open in 2025/2026.

How is ITD funding this study/how much money is being spent?

General FAQs

Is ITD working with local agencies in the project area when developing the modifications to the preferred alternative?

Yes, ITD has been working with all agencies in the project area. They include:

  • Cities of Eagle, Star and Emmett
  • Ada County
  • Gem County
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Ada County Highway District
  • Federal Highway Administration

ITD holds regular working groups with these agencies. To date, two meetings have been held in August and November 2023.

ITD is also communicating with others in the project area like developers, HOAs, businesses, and community members.


How is ITD communicating with the community during this project?

ITD will communicate with the public through a variety of channels and host a number of events for the public and stakeholders to attend. ITD will distribute informational materials and project information will also be available on the project website. Open house and pop-up events will be held with stakeholders to discuss project details and impacts. ITD will also distribute information by news release, social media and through email.

General FAQs

What is next for the project?

ITD and the project team will gather and review all input from the community, agencies and other stakeholders. Additional technical data will be collected over the coming months. The project team will continue to design and refine the range of modifications to the preferred alternative. Additional meetings with stakeholders, property owners and local agencies will be held in Spring 2024. A second public meeting will be held in Summer 2024.

How can I learn more about the project?

  • Visit the project website at: itdprojects.idaho.gov/pages/sh1644to52
  • Call: (208) 334-8008
  • Email: sh16@itd.idaho.gov


ITD also expects to hold open house meetings for the public to learn more and provide input on the project in Fall 2023, Summer 2024 and Fall 2024.