The SH-44 widening through Star hit its first real milestone for drivers: the night of Monday, November 9, 2026, ITD shifted traffic onto the north side of the highway between Cosmo Avenue and Moyle Avenue so the pavement work can get underway. This is the practical update for anyone who drives the corridor, including the commuters behind the home at 11555 W Pathview St.
What changed the night of November 9
Crews moved SH-44 traffic into a temporary cross-over onto the north side of the highway between Cosmo Avenue and Moyle Avenue. That is the section of the last, narrow two-lane stretch of SH-44 through Star, between State Highway 16 and Star Road. The shift is the first major lane change residents will feel as the widening project moves into its pavement phase, the most visible stage of the work so far.
The finished project adds a second through lane in each direction plus a center turn lane, replaces the pavement, and puts pedestrian pathways along the south side of the highway. ITD targets completion in fall 2027. As with any multi-phase road job, the exact lane configuration will keep shifting, so follow the posted signage and check ITD's project page for the current layout.
How this fits the bigger Star picture
This runs alongside the broader SH-16 extension and the SH-16 and SH-44 interchange work that is reshaping how Star connects to the rest of the Treasure Valley. The corridor is the everyday route toward Eagle, Meridian, and Boise, so the construction window means extra patience on the drive, with a more reliable five-lane road as the payoff once it is done. Expect the shifts to keep moving as the work progresses, and add a few minutes through town in the meantime.
If you are considering the house on Pathview, this is exactly the kind of thing to ask about when you tour: how the corridor moves in real life and what the finished interchange will mean for the daily commute. Paul Knighton drove these routes right up to listing day and can walk you through it.
Sources for this update:
Idaho Transportation Department: SH-44 widening begins Monday night in Star
Idaho News (CBS 2): SH-44 widening in Star between Cosmo Avenue and Moyle Avenue
ITD: SH-44 widening project page (current status)
Earlier note: Construction begins on the SH-44 widening through Star