9/30/2013
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Expect new Idaho 16 alignment, signal at Idaho 44 before Friday morning commute
BOISE – Idaho 16 traffic will shift to its new alignment north of Idaho 44 (State Street) before the morning commute Friday (Oct. 4), weather permitting, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. A new traffic light also will be operating at the intersection. Traffic will be able to turn east and west off of the new Idaho 16 and traffic turning off of Idaho 44 will be able to drive north.
The extension of Idaho 16 between Idaho 44 and U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard) is scheduled for completion in Fall 2014, so drivers will not be able to head south of Idaho 44 on Idaho 16 until then.
The existing Idaho 16 intersection at Idaho 44 will be closed and demolished in the coming weeks. Additionally, the west access to Moon Valley Road and Nightshade Place on Idaho 44 will be closed at the existing traffic light, which will not operate after Thursday (Oct. 3). Local access to these roads can be made at Short Lane, Palmer Lane and the east access of Moon Valley on Idaho 44.
Concrete barricades will separate traffic from construction activities although motorists are strongly encouraged to drive with caution through construction zones. All Idaho 44 work is expected to be complete in Nov. 2014, at which time crews will begin U.S. 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard) reconstruction.
The 2.5-mile extension of Idaho 16 over the Boise River, from Idaho 44 to U.S. 20/26, is scheduled for completion in late Fall 2014. Concrete Placing Co., of Boise, and Idaho Sand & Gravel, of Nampa, are the prime contractors on these projects. Knife River Const., of Boise and Nampa Paving are two of the main sub-contractors for this work. The total construction cost is $38.94 million.