Idaho Legislature approves funding for major highway projects Construction to extend Highway 16 from Chinden Boulevard several miles south to Interstate 84 could start late this year. Author: Doug Petcash Updated: 11:45 AM MDT May 7, 2021 BOISE, Idaho — Idaho's rapid population growth puts a strain on many facets of life. That includes public services like fire and police, the housing market, schools, and of course, our roads. More people means more cars and trucks on our roads and bridges. That means more maintenance to do, more wear and tear to repair and the need to expand to handle the traffic. The fix? Construction. And that takes money.