These coming Ada County road-construction projects may delay your commute soon
Commuters, take note: One big Ada County Highway District project is wrapping up this fall, but three more are about to start.
Those projects will disrupt traffic for travelers primarily south of Interstate 84 in West Boise, Meridian and Kuna.
They are among 47 projects that ACHD plans to work on next year, ranging from road expansions to preventative maintenance.
The biggest ones may slow drivers, although Ryan Head, planning supervisor for ACHD, told the Statesman that the district works to make sure traffic impacts aren’t too big or too frequent.
“I do think there are maybe some people out there who believe that I’m sitting there, picking their route to work and putting construction all over the place, but it’s not the case,” he said in an interview.
Head said ACHD has pulled in more impact fees in the past few years than it had in years past, largely because of that rapid growth. 2020 was a “record-breaking year” for impact fee growth, and Head said as long as growth continues onward, he would expect it to continue to get even bigger.
Impact fees are paid by developers to offset the new projects local governments build. They’re a tool designed to help growth pay for itself.
“Growth provides impact fees, which provides the funding to do these projects,” Head said. “As growth has continued to be strong, that’s provided additional revenue to address it.”
Some of the largest projects you can expect in 2021 include:
1. Cole and Victory roads intersection
“The primary one wrapping up this year is definitely Cole and Victory,” Head said.
What it’s for? To widen Cole Road to two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane from the Victory Road intersection to McGlochlin Street about half a mile south. New curbs, gutters and sidewalks will be installed, along with a signalized pedestrian crossing at Diamond Street.
Bike lanes will be added, as will controlled-access turn lanes with raised curbs, intended to improve safety. In ACHD’s words, the purpose is to “increase safety for those who walk, bike and drive” and “improve traffic flow.”
What is traffic like? Estimates from 2017 counted about 2,800 cars a day moving through the intersection during peak morning hours, 7 to 8 a.m. Peak evening hours, 5 to 6 p.m., saw about 3,500 cars.
What’s changing while crews work on it? Business access may shift while crews work. You can find specifics at ACHD’s website. Traffic is reduced from two lanes to one in each direction on Cole and Victory roads, with no left turns onto Victory from Cole. Expect traffic delays.
What should I expect construction to be like? Work is expected between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays, though some work occurs on nights and weekends. Business access remain opens, but you may experience general construction noise, dust and ground vibration.
What do alternate routes look like? Consider Maple Grove Road as an alternative to Cole and Overland Road as an alternative for Victory.
When will the work be done? By the end of this December.
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2. Eagle Road, from Amity to Victory roads
What it’s for? Eagle Road will be widened for the mile between Amity and Victory to two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane.
A single-lane roundabout will be built at the intersection of Eagle Road and Zaldia Drive.
So will a separate 10-foot pathway for cyclists and pedestrians. They will get a signalized pedestrian crossing at the area near the Ten Mile Feeder Canal.
The project also includes widening the existing roundabout at the intersection of Eagle and Amity to two lanes, plus two lanes approaching the roundabout. A truck apron, a ring inside the roundabout that gives large vehicles extra space to maneuver without hitting anything, will also be put in.
There will be bike ramps at the entrances, crosswalks at each leg of the intersection, and a 10-foot pathway for bicyclists and pedestrians that is separated from traffic.
What is traffic like? About 13,500 vehicles a day use this stretch of highway. That’s expected in increase to 23,200 by 2040.
When should I expect it to start? This November.
What do alternate routes look like? Consider Cloverdale or Locust Grove roads as alternatives to Eagle, and Lake Hazel Road for Amity.
When will the work be done? Early fall 2021.
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3. Maple Grove Road, from Victory to Overland roads
What it’s for? ACHD aims to widen Maple Grove to two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane, bike lanes, and curb and gutter improvements. There will be a pedestrian signal added at Targee Street.
What is traffic like? January 2018 estimates show about 14,200 cars travel on that stretch every day. By 2040, an additional 10,000 cars are expected.
When should I expect it to start? This November.
What do alternate routes look like? Cole Road to the east, once the Cole and Victory project is finished; and Five Mile Road to the west.
When should I expect it to be done? Early fall 2021.
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4. Amity and 10 Mile roads roundabout
What it’s for? This project was born of ACHD’s 2008 Amity Road Intersection Concept Study. It was one of six intersections studied along Amity Road, and researchers found that a roundabout would be a good way to control traffic while still moving drivers through efficiently and safely.
The construction will include that roundabout with a lane in the center and two lanes approaching as well as a truck apron. There will be gutter and curb upgrades. Sidewalks and street lighting will be added, and new storm-water systems will be put in.
What is traffic like? As of December 2017, 934 vehicles traveled through the intersection at peak morning hours, 7 to 8 a.m. That number is expected to increase to nearly 1,700 by 2040. Peak evening hours, from 5 to 6 p.m., saw 1,033 drivers, a number expected to double by 2040.
When should I expect work to start? Utility work begins this week, so you may see lane restrictions and flaggers on the road. Other construction will begin in January.
What do alternate routes look like? Victory and Lake Hazel Roads are good alternatives to Amity; Black Cat or Linder Road can take you away from Ten Mile.
When should I expect it to be done? Summer.
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