Broken traffic light? Flooded intersection? What to do if you spot an unsafe road in Boise
Eagle Road is widely regarded as one of Ada County’s trickiest roads to navigate, with multiple busy intersections that cause even the most seasoned driver to take a little extra care.
In fact, a 2022 report from the Ada County Highway District found that 11 of the 20 busiest intersections in Ada County are along Eagle Road.
“The intersection draws a lot of traffic mainly because it connects a major north-south arterial with a major east-west arterial,” ACHD public information officer Rachel Bjornestad previously told the Idaho Statesman.
Eagle Road — the north-south arterial — intersects with U.S. Route 26 on its north end and Interstate 84 on its south end.
Such busy intersections are bound to cause some close calls. But sometimes it’s the less-traveled intersections that prove the most dangerous: downed or non-functioning traffic signs, or awkward angles that require blindly trusting that other approaching cars are also on high alert.
If you’ve witnessed — or been involved — in a close intersection encounter in Ada County, here’s what you can do.
Reporting an unsafe intersection
If you witness an accident or are involved in one, the first action is to call 911. The same can be said if you see someone breaking the law, such as running through a red light or stop sign, and you catch their license plate.
For other safety concerns, ACHD has an online TellUs form for drivers to report issues on Ada County roads that fall under ACHD jurisdiction. Most smaller roads around Ada County that aren’t part of a state highway or interstate fall under ACHD’s responsibility.
Alternatively, you can download the ACHD Reporter app for iPhone and Android. The form is used to report time-sensitive issues that could pose a danger to drivers, such as:
Traffic lights stuck in a flashing pattern
Traffic lights not turned on or working
Signals or stop signs missing, turned the wrong way, knocked down or damaged
Overhead street signs hanging loosely
Downed trees or other obstructions across the road
Flooding
The TellUs form is tracked during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. If you encounter a time-sensitive issue outside of these hours, you can call the Ada County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at (208) 377-6790.
Not all roads fall under ACHD jurisdiction. The Idaho Transportation Department is also responsible for many of Idaho’s busier roads, including Eagle Road between between State Highway 44 and I-84. A map of ITD roads can be found online — most of Boise’s main roads, such as Broadway Avenue and State Street, are controlled by ITD.
You can contact ITD by using the online contact form, or by calling (208) 334-8000.
Contact us
Are they any particular intersections that have repetitively caused you trouble in Ada County? Let us know by filling out the form below or emailed Sgoodwin@idahostatesman.com
This story was originally published October 19, 2023 at 4:00 AM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article did not note that several major Ada County roads fall under the jurisdiction of the Idaho Transportation Department.
