Update on the traffic, road closures in downtown Boise. What commuters should know
Traffic in downtown Boise is expected to improve as most construction projects on the city’s busiest roadways are scheduled to be completed by the end of the month.
The accumulation of development projects that were scheduled around the same time created havoc for commuters. While there are still some street and lane closures, most of the road-improvement ventures that began in spring and summer have been finished.
The Ada County Highway District, the Capital City Development Corp. and Idaho Site Works, a contractor for utilities, each have improvement projects with timelines that overlap and often require closing roads.
3 remaining road closures with big impacts
1. State Street near Albertsons. The partial closure of State Street from 17th to 19th streets, and the road closure along 18th street from Jefferson to Washington streets, are expected to end Friday, Nov. 22. This project focuses on improving curbs, intersections and underground infrastructure.
The construction hinders access to businesses along State Street including Albertsons, Starbucks and a state liquor store.
2. State Street near the Capitol. A second closure of State Street, behind the Capitol from 8th Street to 4th Street, is meant to upgrade traffic signals, crossings and stormwater treatment, said Rachel Bjornestad, spokesperson for ACHD. This section has been closed since April.
“The State Street project is on track to be substantially complete by the end of the month,” Bjornestad wrote in an email. The ACHD website reports a specific expected completion date of Friday, Nov. 29.
3. Capitol Boulevard near the library. A new construction project began in late October along Capitol Boulevard between Royal Boulevard and Myrtle Street, in front of the Boise Public Library.
The project is being led by the Capital City Development Corp., Boise’s urban renewal agency. It aims to install streetscape enhancements and improve walkways for pedestrians. The project is expected to be completed by March 3, 2025.
