SH-16 as it looks today... (Photo Credit: Matthew May)

The existing State Highway 16 currently only extends from Emmett to State Highway 44 (State St.).  The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has plans to extend SH-16 all the way to Interstate-84, but lacks the funding to see the project through to completion.  That is why this Coalition was formed.

  • The 21.5 mile SH-16 corridor that will exist from Emmett to I-84 has been identified as the Central Valley Expressway (CVE)
  • Two Environmental Impact Statements have been completed covering the entire CVE.  The southern 6.5 mile extension from SH-44 to I-84 was completed in 2011 and the segment north of SH-44 was completed in 2006
  • The design for the CVE includes four lanes, grade-separated interchanges and full access control
  • Total project cost is $700M.
    • Approximately $140M has been funded by the State of Idaho.  The cost to complete the CVE is $560M, as estimated in 2006.

The Central Valley Expressway will create an “Employment Super Corridor”

  • The CVE will connect seven cities to I-84 – Caldwell, Eagle, Emmett, Meridian, Middleton, Nampa and Star.  Four of these cities currently have limited Interstate access.
  • The CVE will connect three counties to I-84 – Ada, Canyon and Gem Counties and two state highways – SH-44 and US 20/26 - the largest growth corridor around an existing highway in the Treasure Valley
  • The CVE will alleviate congestion on SH-44 (State Street), SH-55 (Eagle Road), US 20/26 (Chinden Boulevard) and I-84; helping the Treasure Valley meet its Federal air quality standards and avoid Non-Attainment Status
  • Dr. John Church, an economist with Idaho Economics, estimates that the CVE will create over $1.9B of new revenue to the state of Idaho over a 30 year period; 16,800 construction jobs, and 18,524 permanent jobs