Southwest Mobility

A Community on the Move

Introduction

Thank you for visiting the Southwest Mobility project. The Ada County Highway District (ACHD), working with its partners, would like your input on the future needs of major roadways in the southwest region. 

ACHD recognizes that this area is growing rapidly and improving safety and mobility for all users is a priority. Here you will find background information about the rapid growth in the area and the roadway network. 

There are several ways to learn about this project and tell us what you think:

  • Watch a short video
  • Read about the area and view maps
  • Identify your key priorities on a map
  • Take a short survey

Please continue scrolling down to browse through the full content of the website or toggle to different sections using the navigation bar above. If you need printed materials mailed to you or need to make other arrangements to answer your questions, please call 208-387-6100 | TTY 1-800-377-3529 and we will be happy to help you.

The survey and interactive map feedback will be available until September 6th, 2021.

Watch a Short Video

Watch the video to see how growth has changed in Ada County

Southwest Mobility

Addressing Today's Needs and Future Growth

Improvements to the roadway network for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists have not been able to keep up with the rapid growth. In the southwest region of Ada County specifically, from 2014 to 2019, overall traffic increased with an annual growth rate of 3.6%, resulting in an overall 20% increase over the course of those 5 years. 

You can see this growth by using the slider image to the right. Click on the arrows in the middle and slide them left and right to see major new development from 2003 to today.

Taking this rapid growth into account, ACHD has analyzed future traffic demands based on potential new development and population increases. Many roadways will become more congested by 2040. The roadways shown in the figure to the right are expected to have more traffic than is acceptable by current standards.

Did you know that every year, ACHD releases a plan showing what projects will be happening in your neighborhood? The Integrated Five-Year Work Plan (IFYWP) will tell you everything we are working on for you. To learn more visit:

Everyday Impacts

What do people do when traffic congestion increases?

People will find the path of least resistance. Have you ever driven through a business parking lot or neighborhood to avoid a congested intersection? 

People cutting through neighborhoods and driving too fast to avoid congested intersections is a common complaint.

Planning for the Future

Taking into account the present traffic situation and the region’s anticipated growth, ACHD is planning for the growth with the goal of improving the arterials (the roads that carry the most traffic). Many of the major roadways will need to be expanded to balance traffic flows with pedestrian and bicycle needs.

Below are some examples of what an improved roadway in the region might look like. Not every street will look the same, though the proposed roadways will include appropriate driver, bicyclist, and pedestrian facilities to reduce congestion and prioritize safety for all users. Example features that may be found in future roadways include:

Pedestrian hybrid beacon crossing

  • 3 to 5 lanes
  • 10-foot-wide multi-use pathways
  • Buffers between the road and pathways
  • Improved pedestrian crossings
  • Pedestrian crossings with a pedestrian hybrid beacon or rapid rectangular flashing beacon
  • Pedestrian refuge islands
  • Center medians 
  • Center two-way left turn lanes
  • Speed management techniques to slow traffic such as roundabouts
  • Street trees and other landscaping through partnerships with local agencies

Mid-Block Pedestrian Crossing Styles

Mid-block crossing style for a three lane concept on the left and a mid-block crossing style with a rapid rectangular flashing beacon for a five lane concept on the right.

Each of these enhanced crossing options may be applied to any of the roadway designs presented below.

Potential Three Lane Concepts

Three lane concept with three foot stamped concrete on the left and three lane concept with landscaping on the right.

Enhanced crosswalks can be applied to this based on the design options previously presented.

Potential Five Lane Concepts

Five lane concept with three foot stamped concrete on the left and five lane concept with landscaping and enhanced crossing on the right.

Enhanced crosswalks can be applied to this based on the design options previously presented.

Potential Intersection and Roundabout Concepts

Three lane intersection concept with marked cross walks on the left and a five lane with roundabout concept on the right.

What Do You Think?

What are your thoughts?

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this area. Now we would like to hear from you? You have two options, please feel free to do both!  

  1. Use the map below to tell us about your priorities
  2. Keep scrolling down to take a survey

Instructions for using the map

To start, click on one of the icons in the top right area to enter that map page and perform the following:

  • Click on the "Click Here to Comment" button to start
  • Click anywhere in the project area on the map to leave a comment
  • Choose the "Type" of comment
  • Choose how you would "Rank" the comment
  • Enter more details in the "Comment" section
  • Click "Report It" to finish

To see what others are saying, click on any of the reported comments and if you like what is being said, click on the "Heart" or provide additional comments.

Transportation Priority Trends

The dashboard below shows the comment trends based on what your neighbors have said on the feedback page.

Use your mouse to click on icons or hover over the graphs to see more detail

Take the Survey

We’re deeply invested in improving this area. The more feedback we receive, the better we can serve the community. Please take 10 minutes to answer some questions about your travel habits. 

Southwest Mobility - A Community on the Move

What's Next?

ACHD will use this information to guide the planning of future roadways in the southwest region of Ada County.  

Pedestrian hybrid beacon crossing

Mid-block crossing style for a three lane concept on the left and a mid-block crossing style with a rapid rectangular flashing beacon for a five lane concept on the right.

Three lane concept with three foot stamped concrete on the left and three lane concept with landscaping on the right.

Five lane concept with three foot stamped concrete on the left and five lane concept with landscaping and enhanced crossing on the right.

Three lane intersection concept with marked cross walks on the left and a five lane with roundabout concept on the right.