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The Ada County Highway District wants to encourage and enable more children to walk
or bike to school. ACHD has worked with every school district in Ada County to make
safe routes to school improvements. ACHD has also assisted private schools. As part
of that outreach, the District has evaluated areas around schools with school officials
to help identify routes.
ACHD has installed a variety of features over the years to make it safer to walk
to school. Those improvements include school speed zone flashing beacons,
paths and sidewalks as well as raised curbs, which provide a physical separation
between pedestrians, bikes and motorists.
2011 Vehicle Registration Fee
School Crosswalks and Curb RampsIn fall
2011, nineteen locations near Ada County schools will
receive upgrades to pedestrian curb ramps to make them
compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
standards.
In some cases a ramp is not present; in others the ramp
is not ADA compliant. Locations were identified by the
school districts in which they are located.
Some locations will receive updated crosswalk striping
and in some cases crosswalks will be re-located to better
align with the new pedestrian ramps. New crosswalk locations
will be created in some locations.
Click here
for a list of locations.
To view a list of all types of ACHD projects,
click here.
If you have questions regarding Safe Routes to School
projects, please contact Justin Lucas, ACHD Senior
Transportation Planner, 387-6157 or
jlucas@achdidaho.org.
Educating children and parents about safe routes and walking and biking safety is
another part of the safe routes to school effort. ACHD
participates in events to promote safe walking and
biking to school.
Safety Buttons are available to school age children for free. The buttons blink
and reflect, making children more visible. For a free Safety Button email
tellus@achdidaho.org.
ACHD offers help to parents and children who are looking for a safe route to school.
You can request a personalized map and route by contacting Bryan Huey at 387-6147,
or email him at
bhuey@achdidaho.org.
A local effort:
ACHD devotes local funds and resources to provide safe
routes to school in Ada County. ACHD’s efforts go above and beyond the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA)’s Safe Routes to School Program, which makes federal funding
available through grants. ACHD applies for federal grants, but has historically
been a leader in locally funded safe routes to school improvements.
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ACHD has constructed many safe routes to school improvements near Washington Elementary
in Boise, including a pedestrian signal in front of the school, school speed zone
flashing beacons, curb extensions, as well as four-way stops.
Improved crosswalks: 150 crosswalks at school and pedestrian
crossing locations throughout the county are now marked with a special thermal plastic
tape. The plastic is placed in wide strips similar to a ladder and in addition to
being more visible, lasts longer than crosswalks marked in paint. ACHD devoted $140,000
to these safety improvements.
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