State Street Concept Design

Thank you for visiting the second Virtual Open House for the State Street west of 8th Street to 14th Street Concept Design. Here you will find information about the project’s background, what we’ve heard so far from the community, and the initial draft concepts for the project. At the end, you will be able to provide feedback on those concepts. Here is how you can learn about the concepts and tell us what you think:

• Read about each concept and watch a short video illustrating how they might look and operate
• Take a short survey about each concept

You can 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.

While your comments are always welcome, we ask that you please complete the survey by May 23, 2024.

The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) is developing a concept design to perform essential pavement maintenance and improve safety along State Street. When completed, the project will:

• Improve how State Street works for all people using it
• Improve safety for people using and crossing State Street
• Align with ACHD goals and standards
• Stay within the existing right-of-way
• Coordinate with upcoming redevelopment within the area, such as the YMCA / Block 68 Redevelopment Project
  • See this link to the Capital City Development Corporation's (CCDC's) website for more information:  https://ccdcboise.com/ccdc-projects/block-68-catalytic-redevelopment-project/ 

The concept designs were developed using your feedback from our first virtual open house last fall and subsequent technical analysis.

We’ve previously heard your concerns and priorities for State Street through our first virtual open house for this project, which ran from September 28, 2023, to October 12, 2023. Here is a summary of key findings from this outreach.

Six draft concepts were developed based on community feedback and input from ACHD, the City of Boise, CCDC, and Valley Regional Transit (VRT) staff. These six concepts were then evaluated based on safety for all users, motor vehicle capacity, walking and biking comfort, transit considerations, and parking. Based on this evaluation and input from agency staff, two primary concepts (one of which has two sub-options for people walking, biking, and using transit) have been carried forward for further development and evaluation.

Below is a video that shows how the two different concepts could work on State Street. Please take a few minutes to watch and visualize how the different concepts would work for you.

Both concepts include the following elements:

• Rehabilitate pavement and correct drainage issues - The pavement needs is in poor condition and there are drainage challenges today.

• New traffic signals at 12th street and 14th Street – Will increase safety for people crossing State Street

• Leading Pedestrian Interval and Accessible Pedestrian Signals at all existing and proposed traffic signals – This will increase safety for people crossing State Street and is in line with ACHD’s county-wide initiative.

• Protected left-turns - Will reduce crashes involving vehicles turning left from State Street and make it easier to turn left from State Street.

• Bulb-outs on the minor streets – Increases pedestrian visibility and shortens crossing distances.

• Center median - Will improve traffic flow and safety by removing left-turns into and out of driveways on State Street.

• Remove on-street parking – This makes more room for people traveling along the corridor and increases buffer space.

• Widens State Street to include a center left-turn from 14th Street to 12th Street.

• Transitions to its current four lane configuration (2 travel lanes in each direction) from 12th Street to 8th Street.

• Sidewalks and buffer spaces are widened compared to existing conditions.

The graphics below summarize the key benefits, considerations, and features of Concept A.

Concept A - State Street at 14th Street - Looking East

Concept A - State Street at 11th Street - Looking East

Concept B reconfigures State Street to three lanes (i.e., one lane in each direction + center left-turn lane) from 14th Street to 8th Street. Within this concept there are two options for how space could be provided for people walking and biking, as described below.

This version of Concept B includes shared-use paths with a buffer space on both sides of the road for people walking and biking. The graphics below summarize the key benefits, considerations, and features of Concept B(1).

Concept B(1) - State Street at 14th Street - Looking East

Concept B(1) - State Street at 11th Street - Looking East

This version of Concept B includes on-street protected bike lanes for people biking. It also provides sidewalks with buffer space for people walking.

The graphics below summarize the key benefits, considerations, and features of Concept B(2).

Concept B(2) - State Street at 14th - Looking East

Concept B(2) - State Street at 11th Street - Looking East

The following evaluation matrix compares the two concepts to existing conditions along the corridor.

Both concepts are expected to improve the safety of State Street for people driving on, walking along, and crossing State Street. They will also all rehabilitate the existing pavement and correct drainage and accessibility issues. Concept A provides the most motor vehicle capacity. Concept B provides additional safety benefits for people driving, as well as dedicated space for people biking.

We are deeply invested in providing a safe and enjoyable experience along State Street and hearing your feedback to inform the project outcome. The more feedback we receive, the better we can serve you. Please take a moment to answer some questions and provide your thoughts on the two concepts.

Tom Laws, AICP – ACHD Planning Manager

Cody Homan – ACHD Project Manager

 projects@achdidaho.org 

(208) 387-6100 or TTY: 1-800-377-3529

To arrange for a translator or other accommodation, contact ACHD at (208) 387-6100 | TTY: 1-800-377-3529 |    projects@achdidaho.org 

Se les recomienda a las personas que necesiten un intérprete o arreglos especiales q ue llamen a la coordinadora de participación pública, al (208) 387-6100 | TTY: 1-800-377-3529 |       projects@achdidaho.org 

ACHD Website:  https://engage.achdidaho.org/state-8-14