Poplar Street, Cole Road to Curtis Road
2026 Arterial and Collector Capital Maintenance
Welcome
The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) is designing improvements for Poplar Street between Cole and Curtis Roads as part of the 2026 Arterial and Collector Capital Maintenance program.
This project came from the 2022 Ustick-Northview & Poplar Corridor Concept Study that was adopted by the ACHD Commission in early 2023.
This project will improve bicycle safety by adding sharrows and wayfinding signage and improve pedestrian safety by adding consistent sidewalks and bulb-outs. Additionally, the project will update pedestrian ramps in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ADA requires that pedestrian ramps be designed to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids.
Learn more about the project below.
Project Purpose
- Reconstruct the street to improve the deteriorating pavement
- Improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities to safely connect everyone to where they need to go
- Calm traffic to increase safety
- Improve street drainage
- Minimize impacts to adjacent properties
Poplar Street, from Cole Road to Curtis Road
Project Map
We Heard You
The Ustick-Northview & Poplar Corridor Concept Study explored bike and pedestrian improvements from Poplar Street, Milwaukee Street to Orchard Street and Ustick-Northview Corridor, Shamrock Avenue to Milwaukee Street.
The study gathered public input through various outreach methods, including online surveys, printed surveys, door-to-door conversations, and virtual public meetings. Here's what we heard and how the public input shaped the Poplar Street project design.
Barriers to walking and biking on the corridor:
- It doesn't feel safe due to vehicle traffic and speeds
- Sidewalk connectivity and quality
- Major street crossings
Desired changes along the corridor:
- Addition of bike facilities
- Traffic-calming measures
- Improve existing/complete sidewalk networks
Most common improvement suggestions:
- Safer crossing of Cole Road at Wesley Drive/Poplar Street
- Improve the signal detection and timing for east/west travel at Curtis Road
- Improve stop sign compliance, especially on streets intersecting Poplar Street
- Improve the Poplar Street and Fisk Street intersection
Explore the Proposed Design
This section summarizes the key features of the proposed design for Poplar Street.
Project Description
Poplar Street will have the following street elements:
- 11-foot travel lanes
- 5-foot sidewalks on the south side of Poplar Street where they currently don't exist to match sidewalks already in place
- Shared bicycle/travel lanes (sharrows)
- Bulb-outs at key intersections
- Speed humps
- On-street parking in key areas
- Traffic circles at the Eldorado Lane and Liberty Street intersections
- A pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) at the Cole Road intersection and the school flasher will be relocated
- A raised concrete intersection at the Fisk Street intersection
- Multi-use pathway improvements to the Curtis Road intersection
To view a detailed map of the proposed design for Poplar Street from Cole Road to Curtis Road, please click or tap the button to learn more.
Key Features
The graphics below are for illustrative purposes only. Exact street features and materials are subject to further study and refinement by ACHD.
Note: Click and drag the slider bar right and left to compare the key features to the existing road.
Shared Lanes
Shared lane markings, or “sharrows,” which are painted road markings used to indicate that the street is expected to be shared by both bicycles and motor vehicles.
Sharrows remind drivers and cyclists to share the road safely.
Signage should be clearly placed to indicate where sharrows are, helping drivers and cyclists safely share the lane.
Bulb-Outs
Bulb-outs are proposed throughout the project area to increase safety for pedestrians.
Bulb-outs extend the sidewalk or curb line out into the street and increase safety by:
- Narrowing the street to shorten crossing distance for pedestrians.
- Slowing vehicles.
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon
A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) is a type of enhanced pedestrian crossing that requires drivers to stop for people using the crossing.
A PHB has features that increase safety and high visibility:
- A push button that pedestrians and bicyclists can press to activate flashing beacons and safely cross.
- A flashing signal that is easily noticeable by drivers, ensuring they are aware of pedestrians and the need to stop.
Traffic Circles
Traffic circles are proposed at the Eldorado Lane and Liberty Street intersections.
Traffic circles are used at small intersections to increase safety. They help reduce collisions and slow traffic.
Traffic Circle View at Poplar Street and Eldorado Lane
Rendering location: Poplar Street and Eldorado Lane
Renderings are for illustrative purposes only
Raised Concrete Intersection
A raised intersection is proposed at the Poplar Street and Fisk Street intersection.
- The elevation helps make pedestrians more visible to drivers.
- The raised street surface alerts drivers to slow down and acts as a natural speed bump, encouraging drivers to slow down.
- The raised platform extends across the entire intersection, including the crosswalk, which encourages drivers to yield to pedestrians.
Raised Intersection View at Poplar Street and Fisk Street
Rendering location: Southwest view of Poplar Street and Fisk Street
Renderings are for illustrative purposes only
Sidewalks
Attached 5-foot sidewalks are proposed for the south side of Poplar Street, complementing the existing sidewalks on the north side.
The new sidewalk on the south side will create continuous sidewalks on the south side. Existing sidewalk will remain.
Speed Humps
Speed humps are proposed at Poplar Street, near Eldorado Lane.
Speed humps are raised areas of pavement placed across the road to slow down traffic. They help improve safety by reducing vehicle speeds.
Speed Humps View at Poplar Street, near Eldorado Lane
Rendering location: Poplar Street, near Eldorado Lane
Renderings are for illustrative purposes only
Share Your Feedback
Please use the survey below to share your feedback on the Poplar Street project with ACHD. After the comment period closes, ACHD will review, and address comments received from the public.
While your comments are always welcome, they can be best used if received by August 8, 2024.
Survey | ACHD Engage
Project Schedule
February 2023
Ustick-Northview & Poplar Corridor Concept Study adopted by the ACHD Commission
October 2023
Project started
Winter 2024
Gathered data (tree inventory, utilities, roadway conditions, speed/volume, and on-street parking)
Spring/Summer 2024
Developed design
Summer 2024
Gather public feedback (WE ARE HERE)
2025
Begin purchasing property necessary for project
2026
Start construction
Contact Us
Reid Selmer, ACHD Project Manager
208-387-6100 | projects@achdidaho.org
