ACHD unleashing a ‘dog bone’ roundabout in Boise
A new roundabout will soon replace the confounding signal at 36th Street, Hill Road and Catalpa Drive next to Hillside Junior High School in Boise.
But before motorists can wend their way through the new traffic signal-less intersection, a lot of construction has to take place, which means about seven months’ worth of detours and closures. Construction should be completed by the end of summer.
“This is a major project and is especially complex given the access and utility relocation issues,” said ACHD Commissioner Paul Woods.
This isn’t a typical roundabout ACHD is building. Instead of a circle, it is shaped like a dog bone, or like one cell dividing into two.
The intersection provides access to the school, neighborhoods, a small shopping center and a golf course. Additionally, Hill Road is the only east-west route north of State Street between the North End and Eagle.
Woods, who represents Northwest Boise and Eagle, said “clear channels of communication” among the highway district, construction crews, neighbors, businesses and the public are important.
“It is critical that the public and the businesses be kept updated through construction,” he said. “I believe we have the process in place to accomplish this.”
To help drivers understand how the elongated roundabout will work, ACHD created an animated video showing the new intersection functioning.
“As you can see from the new video, the intersection will require some getting used to by all users and the school will play a critical role in helping to ensure that pedestrian crossings are adhered to,” Woods said.
ACHD and Hillside Junior High students put together a video about how students can safely navigate the construction zone.
“I appreciate the patience of the public and local businesses as we complete this challenging construction project,” Woods said.
ACHD will pay the contractor, Central Paving Co. Inc, a $200,000 bonus if it completes the work early.
The 36th/Hill roundabout is the latest roundabout of about a dozen built across the Treasure Valley in the last decade.
Also this year, ACHD will build a roundabout in Kuna at the three-way intersection of Linder Avenue/Main Street/3rd Street.
Cynthia Sewell: 208-377-6428, @CynthiaSewell
Roundabout updates
In addition to getting email and website updates from ACHD, the public can attend weekly construction meetings at 10 a.m. Thursdays at the old sewer building on the northwest corner of the intersection.
ACHD will hold a community meeting with updates on construction progress on the second Monday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 36th Street Garden Center & Bistro, 3823 N. Garden Center Way. The next meeting is Feb. 8.
What to expect during construction
▪ Work will occur between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays. Some weekend work might be necessary from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
▪ Businesses will remain open.
▪ Access to Hillside Junior High will remain open during school hours.
▪ Pedestrian routes will be clearly defined.
▪ A temporary bypass on the north side of the intersection opened Jan. 13.
▪ Detour routes will be posted, and flaggers are on site to help guide traffic.
▪ Detour routes will be in place for bicyclists.
▪ Motorists should find alternate routes whenever possible, and delays can be expected.
Road closures
▪ Catalpa Drive from 36th Street to Garden Center Way is closed until August.
▪ 36th Street from Hill Road to Garden Center Way is closed until May.
▪ Bonnie Lane between Hill Road and 36th Street closed until August.
Coming roadwork in Ada County
These are some ACHD construction projects slated for 2016. Unless noted, specific construction dates have not been set:
Boise
▪ Beacon Street at Leadville Avenue and Manitou Street: Install pedestrian-crossing signals.
▪ Cloverdale Road from Franklin Road to Fairview Avenue: Widen to five lanes with curbs, sidewalks and bike lanes.
▪ Five Mile Road from Fairview Avenue to Ustick Road: Widen to five lanes with curbs, sidewalks and bike lanes.
▪ Owyhee Street from Malad Street to Overland Road: Install and rebuild sidewalk on the east side.
▪ Royal Boulevard from 9th Street to Capitol Boulevard: Build new road with bike lanes and sidewalks and install traffic signals at Royal/9th and Royal/Capitol intersections.
▪ State Street from Glenwood Street to Collister Drive: Continuous five-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides of the two-mile stretch.
▪ State Street from Willow Lane to Veteran’s Memorial Parkway: Add sidewalks to south side of State and a signalized pedestrian crossing near Mercer or Arthur streets.
Boise/Meridian
▪ Executive Drive from Parkdale Avenue to President Drive: Widen to five lanes with curbs, sidewalks and bike lanes.
Eagle
▪ Edgewood Lane north of Bishop Way: Replace bridge. Construction starts in February.
Kuna
▪ Kuna Cave Road from Robinson to Swan Falls roads: Rebuild two-and-a-half-mile stretch of roadway.
▪ Linder Avenue/Main Street/3rd Street: Build a single-lane roundabout.
Meridian
▪ Amity Road: Replace and widen bridge one-quarter mile east of Ten Mile Road. Construction starts this month.
▪ Black Cat Road, Moon Lake Drive to Ustick Road: Construct asphalt pathway on the west side and install a signalized pedestrian crossing near Moon Lake.
▪ Fairview Avenue, 3rd Street to Locust Grove: Install curb and sidewalk along both sides of the road.
▪ Victory Road: Replace and widen bridge one-quarter mile east of Ten Mile Road. Construction starts this month.
This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 10:57 PM with the headline "ACHD unleashing a ‘dog bone’ roundabout in Boise."