• Tweet
• Share
• Email
• Print

Seeking smoother traffic downtown, city leaders are considering some big adjustments to the streets of Boise. On Wednesday, residents had a chance to weigh in on the proposed changes.

Several city agencies, including the Ada County Highway District and the Idaho Transportation Department propose converting Jefferson St, 3rd Street, 4th Street, 11th Street, 12th Street and 14th streets from one-way to two-way streets.

"Should we have all of these one-way streets?” asked Craig Quintana, ACHD Spokesman, “'Would having two-way streets make it more pedestrian friendly?' These are the questions we want to bounce off folks."

ACHD workers said residents can look forward to various Downtown improvements in the next five years, as part of the Boise Downtown Implementation Plan. They said they received a lot of mixed responses.

Some liked the idea of more two-way streets, while another resident said she is concerned about the two-way street conversions creating confusion and accidents. One Boise resident said, “Why fix something that isn’t broken.”

Another proposal getting a lot of buzz is adding mini-roundabouts. Some residents said putting roundabouts in a highly traveled area, could be challenging.

As for changes to sidewalks and new bike lanes and routes, everyone we talked to agreed Downtown Boise could use more of signs and routes for both pedestrians and bicyclists.
   
Construction on some portions of this project may start, as early as this fall. If you want to have an input on this project, the deadline for the comment period is February 27th.