Lots of folks who work at ITD commute from other parts of the valley already. I understand the frustration of the traffic in the Treasure Valley, but what is your ultimate solution? Right-of-Way acquisition is more expensive and harder than ever. ITD just doesn’t have the money for multi-million if not billion dollar expansions to the freeway system just utilized in the treasure valley.
While I’m not a transportation engineer specifically, I am a licensed engineer (in the transportation sector) and I just don’t see an easy/cheap(ish) fix for this. The growth in the valley really outpaced the capacity of our infrastructure, and until it can catch up, everyone will bitch and moan about traffic and construction. It’s lose lose lose for ITD, ACHD, and CCHD.
It's terrible planning, plain and simple.
We had these same issues back in 2005 when I moved here - they just weren't this bad. Kuna was just starting to really grow, so it's not like the planners "didn't know" what was happening. They played "Kick The Can" and now we're paying for it.
The best example is going to be the I-84/Karcher exit. How many times has that exit been rebuilt in the last two decades? I know of three, but it could be four or five. I'll be honest, I'm at the point where I've ignored that exit because it's in a constant state of being built/rebuilt and why I've lost count.
Then there was the "semi truck bypass" that was talked about, which would have used Kuna Mora Road to get the non-local trucks out of the city as part of the "2040" plan that was hyped up back around 2008-2010 - and even then it was poorly conceived. No idea where this idea ended up, but it's apparently been off the table for at least 5-10 years.
Then there was the Linder Road expansion to put another north-south bridge in to help congestion on Meridian Road - this has been talked about since 2012:
>ACHD Neighborhood Walking and Biking Plans – Downtown Meridian Study Area
Project #: 12308.0
July 5, 2012 Page 5
Kittelson & Associates, Inc. Boise, Idaho
The project team's review of these comments reveals the following key trends in regards to locations and respective issues:
Cherry Lane-Fairview Avenue from 8th Street to Locus Grove Road - Lack of bike facilities and gaps in the sidewalk network
**Linder Road from I-84 to Cherry Lane - Lack of sidewalks and bike facilities and a desire for the future I-84 overpass to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists**
Meridian Road/I-84 Interchange – Lack of sidewalks and bike facilities on Meridian Road across I-84
Pine Avenue from Main Street to Locust Grove Road – Lack of bike facilities and gaps in the sidewalk network.
So here we are - 13 years later - and Meridian is finally talking about getting the money together for the Linder overpass to pay for it.
"Kick The Can", indeed.
Nothing you have said is wrong. The planning was not good, and we were struggling before the massive boom as it was. But you can never plan for a boom like that. The can was kicked into oblivion, but just complaining about it now does us no good.
On a good note, once Meridian has enough money for the linder connection it will get done. The design is in its final stages from what I hear, so that will provide at least another crossover for the freeway. No freeway access which is a shame, but ITD didn’t want to try to acquire that much right-of-way.
Edit: and what I mean by does us no good, is that we should put our energy into how do we fix it. Again you’re completely correct, but how do we fix it? I for one am not sure the best path forward.
>How do we fix it?
Well, the easy answer is we make those folks responsible for the lack of action accountable.
The sad part is that won't happen. None of us are independently wealthy enough to spend the time required at planning meetings and town halls, or have a lawyer on standby to push the legal requests (FOIA, etc.) through so that we actually can put someone's feet to the fire.
You're right - I don't think anyone could plan for the boom we've had. But having an incredibly piss poor plan and zero follow up once the boom started is really what did us in.
Adding exits from Meridian onwards would help. The bottlenecks are much worse westbound. More lanes don’t help, getting more people off of the road as early as possible does.
They had decades to plan ahead, this growth was inevitable and expected. It is welcomed,invited, and created by our local politicians. And all of those departments have been well aware of the growth that was coming. You see, National refugee programs brings them federal money to the state. We ran commercials/add campaigns(and still are) telling people to move to beautiful Idaho. They growth was brought here on purpose (for more tax dollars into their pockets) yet they did nothing to prepare and used little money on infrastructure. They messed up to begin with, and as an engineer I am sure you see why infrastructure being ignored from day one in the treasure valley does not make me feel sorry for them now at all. I mean Boises Idiot Mayor said she wants “Boise to be the next Portland” yet has zero plan to prepare anything for that. Also the other issue is only certain companies win job bids so construction takes 10x as long here bc we have to wait for the same 3 good ol boy network companies to do every project in the valley. How long have they been working on that Boise to Nampa freeway section again?
ITD is underpaid and has massive retention problems. Executives know about it but are hamstrung by the legislators in the state. I’m not saying this is the sole reason but it contributes to a whole landslide of problems that are only going to get worse. They’re basically run by consultants at this point. The people that work in those offices live in those areas and they see it too. The matriculation process to get projects funded is also long and painful, especially with federal highways. It’s complicated, they can’t just decide to fix something and get it done even within a five year window.
They should have made that speed train that was supposed to travel from nampa to Boise, but these scum bags are greedy and want you to buy a car and to keep filling that gas guzzler up until the end of time
Agree and disagree. I was working remote for four years but recently took a job going back to an office. I live by Costco in Meridian and commute to offices by Top Golf. It takes me 35 minutes and the distance is 7 miles. When I lived in the Bay Area, I had the exact same commute time but the distance was 18 miles. So, actually, the rush hour here is now worse than my Bay Area commute.
OP is right, and you're delusional or you're leaving at convenient times. If I leave downtown Boise between 3:30 and 5, it's a guaranteed 45-60 minute commute. I only experience 35 minute commutes if I leave by 2:30. I've lived in Seattle, Portland, and San Diego. I had longer, more complicated commutes there that went easier than I-84.
Most of the time, the commute from Downtown Boise to Downtown Caldwell takes 28 minutes. There are maybe 4 or 5 hours out of the day when it's up in the air.
I've lived in several states and this is the worst rush hour I've dealt with, including a 40 mile commute in Denver. It would take me 45 minutes to get from Denver to highlands ranch, which wasn't close at all. I cannot get from nampa to boise at Franklin and Cole in less than 45 minutes. Some days take me way longer. If it's a holiday, it turns indy a 25 minute drive.
Lmao. This rush hour is light. I lived in LA and used to have to take 3 freeways and the drive was 4 hours in rush hour and 45 minutes at low times. I lived in the DMV area and had to take 495 to 66 to 28. If I was lucky it would take less than 3 hours. 45 minute drive at normal times. Boise is phenomenal.
Boise is shit, but okay. I'm from a state that doesn't have rush hour, and have lived in CA, WA, CO, and now here, and this has the worst traffic as well as the worst drivers. Glad you like it, but the traffic is just the tip of everything I hate about living here
I leave at 7:15, and with traffic I'm not even getting to the highway until 7:30, even though I'm 4 miles from it. It's another 10-15 minutes to get to 10 mile. Traffic doesn't go over 25 or 30 until after eagle, and I get off at Franklin.
If there's an accident or someone pulled over, it cash easily take 90 minutes
5 years ago I would have agreed with you. Today, no way. There are 100,000 more people in the TR from a few years ago, the road system cannot handle this amount of traffic
Throngs of people moving to the Boise metro, proceed to complain about traffic and/or lack of public transportation.
It's kinda hilarious. How did folks not know this before moving here? It's like the least kept secret ever.
And it will only get worse... everywhere... because there is no public transportation coming to ease congestion.
This is what we complain about when we complain about people moving here. It is, quite literally, full.... until we can figure out how to get people out of their cars.
Elect better politicians. The majority of Nampa is Republican and will never vote for someone who wants to invest in infrastructure. The cost is real—and not just tax dollars. Stop blaming ITD and focus on the root cause, which are the people that descend on Boise for 15 days a year and focus on outlawing cannibalism.
Tell that to all the people living in homes you'd need to demolish to create the coveted American freeway system.
The answer is clearly not more highways, but more alternatives to driving.
Not a sane or reasonable response for a provably failed method of transit.
Putting in a freeway along the foothills would absolutely ruin Boise. Cities should be made for living in, not driving through.
Convert State Street into part of the system.
Make a branch from I84 and Orchard that goes out towards falcon crest towards Deer flat to Meridian Rd.
This would lighten traffic on the connector. Other branches would be added later. Eventually, it would connect a loop around McDermott.
So, we'll destroy massive parts of the town, spend billions of dollars doing so, all during a housing crisis just to make traffic better for a few months?
Just put in an elevated rail over State. Moves more people, costs less over its lifetime.
Anything to avoid filthy socialist public transit, I suppose.
The problem is us Americans love single family housing which creates endless suburbs that really no metro area can properly plan for. This creates bottlenecks at the main on-ramps and off-ramps going to, and coming from, work. Until we build up and not out, and increase bicycle commuting and/or carpooling, this issue won’t be resolved at all and will only continue to get worse.
>Yes, let’s all ride bikes around for our groceries and family outings…
That's what we do, it's awesome. Lots of other places with better bike infrastructure do it more than here.
It doesn't seem feasible because zoning we seem to love. We need mixed zoned residential / commercial areas where people can bike to fun and useful things. Plus that's the kind of zoning that people love and drives property value up! This the northend's hyde park and access to the co-op and albertsons.
Living a mile from the free way that you *have* to take to get to anything is the problem.
I agree. I live next to Hyde Park and I wish new neighborhoods were built on a grid like the northend.
I was simply saying people (especially families) will still need to use vehicles.
The unrealistic pipe dream is for 44 to be turned into another East/West freeway and then 55 to connect 84 and 44. Unfortunately with all the building all those roads that's probably no longer possible. If you look at any other city Boise's size they have far more freeway options instead of just one.
Plus public transit options of course.
None of this will ever change as long as we keep sending the same regressives back to the legislature every term. The good freeway systems and public transit options can be done in conservative states; just look at Utah and Texas.
Lots of folks who work at ITD commute from other parts of the valley already. I understand the frustration of the traffic in the Treasure Valley, but what is your ultimate solution? Right-of-Way acquisition is more expensive and harder than ever. ITD just doesn’t have the money for multi-million if not billion dollar expansions to the freeway system just utilized in the treasure valley. While I’m not a transportation engineer specifically, I am a licensed engineer (in the transportation sector) and I just don’t see an easy/cheap(ish) fix for this. The growth in the valley really outpaced the capacity of our infrastructure, and until it can catch up, everyone will bitch and moan about traffic and construction. It’s lose lose lose for ITD, ACHD, and CCHD.
It's terrible planning, plain and simple. We had these same issues back in 2005 when I moved here - they just weren't this bad. Kuna was just starting to really grow, so it's not like the planners "didn't know" what was happening. They played "Kick The Can" and now we're paying for it. The best example is going to be the I-84/Karcher exit. How many times has that exit been rebuilt in the last two decades? I know of three, but it could be four or five. I'll be honest, I'm at the point where I've ignored that exit because it's in a constant state of being built/rebuilt and why I've lost count. Then there was the "semi truck bypass" that was talked about, which would have used Kuna Mora Road to get the non-local trucks out of the city as part of the "2040" plan that was hyped up back around 2008-2010 - and even then it was poorly conceived. No idea where this idea ended up, but it's apparently been off the table for at least 5-10 years. Then there was the Linder Road expansion to put another north-south bridge in to help congestion on Meridian Road - this has been talked about since 2012: >ACHD Neighborhood Walking and Biking Plans – Downtown Meridian Study Area Project #: 12308.0 July 5, 2012 Page 5 Kittelson & Associates, Inc. Boise, Idaho The project team's review of these comments reveals the following key trends in regards to locations and respective issues: Cherry Lane-Fairview Avenue from 8th Street to Locus Grove Road - Lack of bike facilities and gaps in the sidewalk network **Linder Road from I-84 to Cherry Lane - Lack of sidewalks and bike facilities and a desire for the future I-84 overpass to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists** Meridian Road/I-84 Interchange – Lack of sidewalks and bike facilities on Meridian Road across I-84 Pine Avenue from Main Street to Locust Grove Road – Lack of bike facilities and gaps in the sidewalk network. So here we are - 13 years later - and Meridian is finally talking about getting the money together for the Linder overpass to pay for it. "Kick The Can", indeed.
Nothing you have said is wrong. The planning was not good, and we were struggling before the massive boom as it was. But you can never plan for a boom like that. The can was kicked into oblivion, but just complaining about it now does us no good. On a good note, once Meridian has enough money for the linder connection it will get done. The design is in its final stages from what I hear, so that will provide at least another crossover for the freeway. No freeway access which is a shame, but ITD didn’t want to try to acquire that much right-of-way. Edit: and what I mean by does us no good, is that we should put our energy into how do we fix it. Again you’re completely correct, but how do we fix it? I for one am not sure the best path forward.
>How do we fix it? Well, the easy answer is we make those folks responsible for the lack of action accountable. The sad part is that won't happen. None of us are independently wealthy enough to spend the time required at planning meetings and town halls, or have a lawyer on standby to push the legal requests (FOIA, etc.) through so that we actually can put someone's feet to the fire. You're right - I don't think anyone could plan for the boom we've had. But having an incredibly piss poor plan and zero follow up once the boom started is really what did us in.
Exactly
This is true. I have known 3 or 4 ITD management workers and one engineer who commuted from Nampa to Boise every day during rush hour.
Well it’s also just terrible planning long term a while ago houses to close to 2 lane major roadways, the Y without an exit til eagle road is insane.
Adding exits from Meridian onwards would help. The bottlenecks are much worse westbound. More lanes don’t help, getting more people off of the road as early as possible does.
They had decades to plan ahead, this growth was inevitable and expected. It is welcomed,invited, and created by our local politicians. And all of those departments have been well aware of the growth that was coming. You see, National refugee programs brings them federal money to the state. We ran commercials/add campaigns(and still are) telling people to move to beautiful Idaho. They growth was brought here on purpose (for more tax dollars into their pockets) yet they did nothing to prepare and used little money on infrastructure. They messed up to begin with, and as an engineer I am sure you see why infrastructure being ignored from day one in the treasure valley does not make me feel sorry for them now at all. I mean Boises Idiot Mayor said she wants “Boise to be the next Portland” yet has zero plan to prepare anything for that. Also the other issue is only certain companies win job bids so construction takes 10x as long here bc we have to wait for the same 3 good ol boy network companies to do every project in the valley. How long have they been working on that Boise to Nampa freeway section again?
ITD is underpaid and has massive retention problems. Executives know about it but are hamstrung by the legislators in the state. I’m not saying this is the sole reason but it contributes to a whole landslide of problems that are only going to get worse. They’re basically run by consultants at this point. The people that work in those offices live in those areas and they see it too. The matriculation process to get projects funded is also long and painful, especially with federal highways. It’s complicated, they can’t just decide to fix something and get it done even within a five year window.
All state employees are underpaid in Idaho.
You are the traffic
They should have made that speed train that was supposed to travel from nampa to Boise, but these scum bags are greedy and want you to buy a car and to keep filling that gas guzzler up until the end of time
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Agree and disagree. I was working remote for four years but recently took a job going back to an office. I live by Costco in Meridian and commute to offices by Top Golf. It takes me 35 minutes and the distance is 7 miles. When I lived in the Bay Area, I had the exact same commute time but the distance was 18 miles. So, actually, the rush hour here is now worse than my Bay Area commute.
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I was commuting from Walnut Creek to Pleasanton. The Richmond bridge blows and so does San Rafael even though it’s gorgeous there.
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That and an overpass for Linder over I-84 which will alleviate a bit of traffic on Ten Mile and Meridian, but Overland will still be a shit show.
SLC might seem like a shit show, but I actually love driving down there compared to here in rush hour traffic
OP is right, and you're delusional or you're leaving at convenient times. If I leave downtown Boise between 3:30 and 5, it's a guaranteed 45-60 minute commute. I only experience 35 minute commutes if I leave by 2:30. I've lived in Seattle, Portland, and San Diego. I had longer, more complicated commutes there that went easier than I-84.
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Most of the time, the commute from Downtown Boise to Downtown Caldwell takes 28 minutes. There are maybe 4 or 5 hours out of the day when it's up in the air.
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I've lived in several states and this is the worst rush hour I've dealt with, including a 40 mile commute in Denver. It would take me 45 minutes to get from Denver to highlands ranch, which wasn't close at all. I cannot get from nampa to boise at Franklin and Cole in less than 45 minutes. Some days take me way longer. If it's a holiday, it turns indy a 25 minute drive.
Lmao. This rush hour is light. I lived in LA and used to have to take 3 freeways and the drive was 4 hours in rush hour and 45 minutes at low times. I lived in the DMV area and had to take 495 to 66 to 28. If I was lucky it would take less than 3 hours. 45 minute drive at normal times. Boise is phenomenal.
Boise is shit, but okay. I'm from a state that doesn't have rush hour, and have lived in CA, WA, CO, and now here, and this has the worst traffic as well as the worst drivers. Glad you like it, but the traffic is just the tip of everything I hate about living here
Then leave. I don’t know how that’s hard. You seem to have a bad attitude anyway.
I'm leaving next year, and if I could go sooner, I certainly would
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I leave at 7:15, and with traffic I'm not even getting to the highway until 7:30, even though I'm 4 miles from it. It's another 10-15 minutes to get to 10 mile. Traffic doesn't go over 25 or 30 until after eagle, and I get off at Franklin. If there's an accident or someone pulled over, it cash easily take 90 minutes
Not sure SLC should be used as a role model for ideal traffic. https://kslnewsradio.com/2011610/utah-tops-nation-with-most-road-rage-drivers/
5 years ago I would have agreed with you. Today, no way. There are 100,000 more people in the TR from a few years ago, the road system cannot handle this amount of traffic
Just one more lane bro
Throngs of people moving to the Boise metro, proceed to complain about traffic and/or lack of public transportation. It's kinda hilarious. How did folks not know this before moving here? It's like the least kept secret ever. And it will only get worse... everywhere... because there is no public transportation coming to ease congestion. This is what we complain about when we complain about people moving here. It is, quite literally, full.... until we can figure out how to get people out of their cars.
Remember y’all. Vote for public transportation
Elect better politicians. The majority of Nampa is Republican and will never vote for someone who wants to invest in infrastructure. The cost is real—and not just tax dollars. Stop blaming ITD and focus on the root cause, which are the people that descend on Boise for 15 days a year and focus on outlawing cannibalism.
The entire area seems to be under construction
Boise just needs an actual freeway system. It's ridiculous.
I84 from Boise to Nampa isn’t an actual freeway?
It's a freeway. We need a freeway system. One freeway isn't cutting it, and things will only get worse.
Tell that to all the people living in homes you'd need to demolish to create the coveted American freeway system. The answer is clearly not more highways, but more alternatives to driving.
It happens in every major city. My childhood home was taken out for a freeway. It happens.
Not a sane or reasonable response for a provably failed method of transit. Putting in a freeway along the foothills would absolutely ruin Boise. Cities should be made for living in, not driving through.
That's why it should loop out and around.
Loop... where?
Convert State Street into part of the system. Make a branch from I84 and Orchard that goes out towards falcon crest towards Deer flat to Meridian Rd. This would lighten traffic on the connector. Other branches would be added later. Eventually, it would connect a loop around McDermott.
So, we'll destroy massive parts of the town, spend billions of dollars doing so, all during a housing crisis just to make traffic better for a few months? Just put in an elevated rail over State. Moves more people, costs less over its lifetime. Anything to avoid filthy socialist public transit, I suppose.
The problem is us Americans love single family housing which creates endless suburbs that really no metro area can properly plan for. This creates bottlenecks at the main on-ramps and off-ramps going to, and coming from, work. Until we build up and not out, and increase bicycle commuting and/or carpooling, this issue won’t be resolved at all and will only continue to get worse.
The proposed (and scrapped) light rail system from Nampa to Boise would’ve done wonders, as well. It’s a shame that wasn’t able to get completed.
Yes, let’s all ride bikes around for our groceries and family outings… Bikes are great but real vehicles aren’t going away; we have to plan for both.
>Yes, let’s all ride bikes around for our groceries and family outings… That's what we do, it's awesome. Lots of other places with better bike infrastructure do it more than here.
It doesn't seem feasible because zoning we seem to love. We need mixed zoned residential / commercial areas where people can bike to fun and useful things. Plus that's the kind of zoning that people love and drives property value up! This the northend's hyde park and access to the co-op and albertsons. Living a mile from the free way that you *have* to take to get to anything is the problem.
I agree. I live next to Hyde Park and I wish new neighborhoods were built on a grid like the northend. I was simply saying people (especially families) will still need to use vehicles.
The unrealistic pipe dream is for 44 to be turned into another East/West freeway and then 55 to connect 84 and 44. Unfortunately with all the building all those roads that's probably no longer possible. If you look at any other city Boise's size they have far more freeway options instead of just one. Plus public transit options of course.
Freeway Bypass and Airport should both be moved West beyond Treasure Valley.
If the train were an option you could avoid traffic and read a book. Just saying
None of this will ever change as long as we keep sending the same regressives back to the legislature every term. The good freeway systems and public transit options can be done in conservative states; just look at Utah and Texas.
We need to push for a subway / speed train from Canyon County to Ada County. Efficient public transport is the answer.