SH 16 constitutes the westernmost portion of a longer road known as the Mesa Ridge Parkway.

From its western terminus SH 16 heads east with a 45 mph speed limit.

Just after re-entering Fountain, SH 16 passes over the CanAm Highway/North Santa Fe Avenue (U.S. Route 85), forming a partial cloverleaf interchange.

After the interchange with US 85, the speed limit increases to 55 mph and the route makes a southeast trajectory through neighborhoods in northern Fountain.

(From the eastern terminus Mesa Ridge Parkway continues east and SH 21 heads north through Security-Widefield and into Colorado Springs to end at U.S. Route 24.).