Also known as the Central Valley Expressway and the Emmett Highway, Highway 16 begins at the junction of US-20/US-26. It meets at a junction with State Highway 44, with Star to the West, and Eagle to the East. The highway continues north through Jackass Gulch and descends over 500 vertical feet on the Freezeout Grade into the Emmett Valley. The highway then curves westward for a short distance, where it terminates at the junction with State Highway 52 just south of the Emmett city limits.
History
This route has been in existence since 1929. Originally, the alignment terminated in Horseshoe Bend. In 1938, the northern section of the alignment from Emmett to Horseshoe Bend was then replaced by State Highway 52. When this happened, the highway then realigned to the west, terminating in Payette. The route was truncated at its current terminus in Emmett in 1955 when Highway 52 was extended on to its northern section heading toward New Plymouth. While campaigning for a return to Congress in 1934, Robert McCracken died in an automobile accident on the highway in May, near Emmett. His vehicle went through a guard rail and tumbled down Freezeout Hill. Firebird Raceway opened in 1968 on the west side of the highway, between Star and Emmett. In December 2012, construction began on the 2.1-mile Boise River Bridge section between SH-44 and US-20/26. This 4-lane divided limited-access expressway opened to traffic on August 15, 2014.
Future
In 2007, plans are underway to extend State Highway 16 south of its current terminus to Interstate 84. A new interchange at the interstate is being studied as part of this plan, which will be built somewhere betweenBlack Cat Road and Robinson Boulevard. The new highway is planned to be a 4-lane divided limited-access expressway or freeway. This project is part of the ITD GARVEE Transportation Program. The extension includes interchanges at Franklin Road, Ustick Road, Chinden Boulevard, and State Street. The project is under design right now, and will go into effect in the next few years.
