Desert Avenue, Latigo Drive to Cole Road
May 2025
Welcome
The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) is working on improvements along Desert Avenue in South Boise. This project is directed towards the local neighborhoods as well as the children that attend the nearby elementary school, Silver Sage Elementary. This project will enhance pedestrian and bicyclist safety by adding new sidewalk, wider bike lanes, speed cushions, bulb-outs, and enhanced crossings.
Additionally, the project will update pedestrian ramps in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. ADA requires that pedestrian ramps be designed to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids.
Construction is currently planned for 2027.
Learn more about the project below.
What Has Changed?
Based on your feedback from the May 2024 outreach, we have updated the design.
Retention of on-street parking
The original design removed the existing on-street parking. The design has now been modified to retain the existing on street parking on the north side of Desert Avenue.
Bicycle and pedestrian facilities that fit the context of the area
The original design included 10-ft multi-use pathways on both sides of the road. The updated design utilizes sidewalks and on-street bike lanes for the pedestrian facilities.
We Heard You
In May 2024, ACHD reached out to the public to gather feedback on the design for the Desert Avenue improvements.
Top Themes of Support
- Many like that pedestrians and bicyclists would be separated from traffic with the multi-use pathway.
- Some thought the design would calm traffic.
- Several mentioned the increased safety for Elementary school children.
Top Concerns
The May 2024 outreach also indicated that residents had concerns about the project.
- Narrow roadways
- Dislike of speed cushions
- Bulb-outs
The three features above are traffic calming measures designed to reduce speeding vehicles and increase safety. Traffic calming is significant for this project due to the new signalized pedestrian crossings on Desert Avenue and the nearby elementary school.
Project Purpose
- Increase connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians
- Enhance safety for all users
- Improve quality of the street
Project Description
Desert Avenue Typical Section
- Retain existing curb, gutter, and sidewalk on the north side of Desert Avenue
- Retain on-street parking on the north side of Desert Avenue
- Construct curb, gutter, and a 7-ft sidewalk on the south side of Desert Avenue
- Add bulb-outs to some wider side streets where they intersect with Desert Avenue to increase safety for pedestrians
- Install a pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) at the Cole Road intersection
- Install a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at the Silver Spur Street intersection
- Install a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) on Desert Avenue near Missoula Way
- Add speed cushions along Desert Avenue
- Construct additional storm drain facilities
- Rehabilitate the existing pavement
Click the button below to view a detailed concept design for Desert Avenue from Latigo Drive to Cole Road.
Key Features
This section summarizes the key features of the proposed design for Desert Avenue.
Computer renderings of some of the key features have been developed to provide a graphical depiction of what the improvements could look like.
The graphics below are for illustrative purposes only. Exact street features and materials are subject to further study and refinement by ACHD.
Speed Cushions
Speed Cushions are a physical traffic control measure to slow vehicles.
Speed Cushions include cutouts to allow emergency vehicles to pass through without significant slowing.
Note: Click and drag the slider bar right and left to compare the key features to the existing road.
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
Bulb-outs will be constructed on the following Desert Avenue cross-streets:
- Latigo Drive (south side only)
- Tinker Street
- Round-Up Street (south side only)
- Silver Spur Street
- Saddle Street (south side only)
Illustrations are for general education purposes and may not exactly reflect design for Desert Avenue.
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)
A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) is proposed at the Desert Avenue and Cole Road intersection.
PHBs facilitate safe pedestrian crossings by stopping vehicle traffic as required.
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon
Studies show a PHB can reduce pedestrian crashes up to 55 percent.
Illustrations are for general education purposes and may not exactly reflect design for Desert Avenue.
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB)
Two Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) are proposed along Desert Avenue. They will be located at:
- Desert Avenue and Silver Spur Street
- Desert Avenue and Missoula Way
RRFBs provide a designated crossing location for pedestrians across Desert Avenue.
Illustrations are for general education purposes and may not exactly reflect design for Desert Avenue.
Project Timeline
2024
Design Started
May 2024
Gather Public Feedback
May 2025
Refine Design and Public Outreach (WE ARE HERE)
2026
Begin Purchasing Property Necessary For Project
2027
Start Construction
Nearby Projects
ACHD has planned many projects in the surrounding area over the next five years. To learn more, click the interactive map below to view the many projects included in ACHD's Integrated Five-Year Work Plan (IFYWP).
ACHD Integrated Five Year Work Plan
Survey
Please let us know if there is anything we missed before we finalize the design. While your comments are always welcome, they can be best used if received by May 15, 2025.
Desert Avenue Survey | ACHD Engage
Contact Us
Tawnya Converse, ACHD Project Manager
(208) 387-6100
