BOISE, Idaho — Changes are coming to one of the busiest roads in downtown Boise.
"We're trying to look out to the future. and it's not only what are, what are the improvements needed today, but what are going to be needed in 20 years, 40 years, and really reimagining state street as a, you know, critical component to the downtown Boise core," Tom Laws, Planning Manager for Ada County Highway District told KTVB Tuesday.
A newly adopted project concept targets the stretch of State Street - from 8th to 14th.
Throughout the last year, design concepts had been drafted and discussed. ACHD reviewed traffic data and pedestrian volume numbers.
Three different designs had a variety of lane changes, and additions for buses and bikes.
"The ACHD commission determined that the three-lane cross section with the wide multi use pathways were really the safest for all users," Laws said.
Concept B-1 would take the four existing lanes (two in each direction) and reduce the street down to three lanes; one lane in each direction and the middle lane being an alternating turn lane.
It would take away on-street parking, shorten the cross walks, and extend the width of sidewalks.
"What we're looking to do is have almost a bus pull out so the bus is able to get out of that traffic lane, can move as it stops, and then when everyone is back on the bus, and the bus is ready to go... There will be a dedicated signal at the intersection of 11th and State that will allow the bus to come back into traffic before it turns green for the vehicles," Laws said.
Enhanced safety for pedestrians and reducing crashes on this stretch of State Street is the goal.
"From the bicyclist and pedestrian standpoint, the issues and trouble that they have, trying to cross state street itself, and that was one of the number one things we heard from the public in our surveys, was it's very uncomfortable, it's very challenging, and we've had some pretty serious and fatalities on that corridor due to people trying to cross," Laws said.
Laws added that ACHD crash data shows vehicle accidents are also frequent on this part of state street.
The approved lane change concept received mostly has positive reactions from locals. It was approved July 25.
"I'm in favor of it, adding a turn lane will be a huge improvement and will help a lot with the lane reduction," Gwen Ayres told KTVB. "I drive it regularly and it's a nightmare if you are in the left lane and have to wait for someone to try to turn left, often they wait the entire length of the light, it's almost like it's a one lane anyway."
But there are some locals who prefer State Street to stay the way it is.
"I'm not in favor," Joe. U. told KTVB. "Cars outnumber bikes 100 to 1 or more and there are less congested roads bikes can use."
"Hate it!" Jennifer Burns told KTVB. Why this town always tries to gown to less lanes when the city is growing makes 0 sense to me!"
The Treasure Valley YMCA is in full support of the change
The downtown YMCA location sits on State Street and many of their daily visitors walk or bike to the facility.
"This particular intersection where we're where we're at today... 11th and state, there's been multiple accidents and one fatality in the last six months of pedestrians being struck by vehicles," David Duro, the President and CEO of Treasure Valley YMCA. "So those are all community members, friends, members of the y and to see anybody get hurt, we just want to do everything possible to keep people from getting hurt and just keep them safe."
The YMCA feels this the change will better set up the future of State Street.
"It (State Street) varies in and width and in configuration and traffic patterns," Duro said. "And I think that we have to progress as a community, as a society."
Construction is not a new characteristic for State Street. Currently pavement improvement project has parts of the street closed down.
The currently improvement projects will be done by the time this new lane configuration concept would start, ACHD said.
They expect work to start and finish in 2026, Laws said.
Proper detours will be planned and ACHD said other streets like Whitewater Park Boulevard, Main Street and Fariview Ave are all underutilized and will have the capacity and extra space to possibly help with detours.