STAR, Idaho — Major construction has officially begun on a new interchange at State Highway 44 and State Highway 16 in Star, Idaho, bringing noticeable traffic changes that will continue through 2027. The project marks a historic milestone as part of what the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) says will be the first new freeway in the state in 40 years.

Crews began work this week, moving into the early stages of the multi-year build. On Thursday, workers were trenching and installing gas lines at the intersection. While all lanes remained open at midday, ITD officials warn that lane restrictions, flaggers, reduced speeds, and occasional detours will become a regular feature throughout construction.

For many residents, the temporary inconvenience is worth the long-term payoff. “I think it'll be good, eventually, when it gets done, but it's gonna bottleneck some traffic. That's to be expected with construction,” said Ray Hurst, a Star resident who lives near the project site.

Hurst sees the interchange as a valuable improvement for the area, particularly for commuters traveling south from Emmett and surrounding communities. However, he also has concerns about post-construction impacts, especially increased roadway noise. “If they could put a barrier in place, on the overpass, that might help alleviate some of the noise,” Hurst said.

He also questioned the design’s traffic flow. “I'm perplexed about the way it's set up. [State Highway] 44, as you know, runs two lanes to the South, and two lanes to the East. So, why did they bottleneck it down through Star?” Hurst added.

ITD officials say the new interchange will help meet transportation needs for a rapidly growing population in the Treasure Valley region. “This interchange is part of State Highway 16, which is going to be the first new freeway in Idaho in four decades,” said Jill Youmans, ITD District 3 Public Information Officer. “We're very excited about it because it's going to help thousands of travelers better travel through the Treasure Valley.”

Over the coming months and years, the project will involve significant earthmoving, bridge construction, and utility relocation. ITD says it will work to minimize disruptions but acknowledges that drivers should be prepared for slower commutes.

The $X million project (final cost to be confirmed by ITD) is expected to be completed in 2027, transforming the current intersection into a modern four-lane interchange with improved traffic flow and safety features.

Until then, Star residents and commuters will need to adapt to work-zone conditions. Hurst’s advice for fellow drivers is simple: “There's gonna be traffic. Construction, as we all know, has been going on for years, so just be courteous to one another and play nice out there.”

Originally reported by Greenlee Clark in Idaho News 6.