Highlands Neighborhood Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Plan

August 2 Update

Circle H Construction has begun building an enhanced school crossing at Highlands Elementary School on Curling Drive, and ACHD's signal construction crew is installing the hardware to put in a push-button crossing beacon. As part of the project, concrete bulb-outs at the crossing will increase visibility and safety for pedestrians.

Also, Circle H will begin excavation for the permanent diverter island and sidewalk on Braemere Road between Curling Drive and Ranch Road.

All work is slated to be completed by August 19th.

During construction, traffic will be initially be controlled by flaggers at both locations. Braemere between Curling and Ranch may be closed, except for access to the residences within the closure area, if needed for work activities and public safety.

Background

Commissioners reviewed the changes made under the plan on May 17th and directed ACHD staff to retain and enhance the improvements while working with Boise City and the Boise School District to take additional steps. Specifically, commissioners said:

1. Upgrade the diverter at Curling and Braemere to be a more permanent structure, replacing the flexible candles.
2. Work with Hillside Elementary School to make a number of safety improvements to Curling Drive prior to the next school year.
3. Retain the stop signs installed as part of the plan.
4. Consider upgrades (sidewalk, etc.) to lower Braemere as part of a future project but also maintain the street as a local road.

Watch the May 17, 2017 meeting.

See the April 26, 2017 agenda item.

Watch the April meeting.

The Commission initiated a package of improvements in mid-2016 to address traffic safety issues within the Highlands area of Boise after an extensive public involvement process. Some of the changes have already been implemented (traffic diversion at Braemere/Curling and stop signs at Selkirk and Whidden), while others will not be completed until spring 2017 (new crosswalks, walking paths).

Last year, the Commission instructed staff to make the changes and to monitor the impact to confirm if the desired outcomes are achieved. Commissioners said they would address any problems once the changes have been implemented and the results become clear.

Here are the enhancements by street:

Highland View Drive:

• Stop signs at Selkirk and Whidden - installed
• Curb-protected walking path from Parkhill to 900 feet east of Selkirk (ties into existing sidewalk) - spring [Updated on 10/3/16 to note extension of curbing beyond Braemere to Parkhill, as Commission-directed.]
• Crosswalks at several locations (once demand has been verified) - spring
• Review of pedestrian/bike facilities, Parkhill to Braemere - spring

Upper Braemere (northeast of Curling):

• Stop signs at Balmoral and Chardie/Harcourt - installed
• Radar speed sign - spring
• Potential crosswalks at several locations - once demand has been verified - spring

Lower Braemere (Highland View Drive to Curling):

• Diverter on Braemere at Curling, sending traffic toward Bogus Basin Road - installed
• Sidewalk on northwest side of Ranch - to be determined

Bogus Basin:

• Install sidewalk in gaps north of Curling - to be determined
• Enhance lighting at southwest corner of Bogus/Curling - fall 2016
• In-pavement pedestrian sign at Bogus/Curling - fall 2016
• Advance warning sign approaching Ranch - installed

Curling:

• Install all-way stop signs at Braemere with pedestrian ramp and new crosswalk - completed
• Install candle-protected, walking path along south side of Curling from Braemere to Cashmere - fall 2016
• Stripe a walking path along south Cashmere to Selkirk - spring
• Assess crosswalk treatment in front of Hillside Elementary in conjunction with Boise School District; evaluate school property for drop off/pickup and parking improvements - to be determined

Cashmere/Whidden:

• Stripe six-foot-wide path on north Cashmere (Whidden to Curling) and evaluate impact - spring
• Stripe six-foot-wide path on west side of Whidden (Cashmere to Highland View Drive), implement "no parking" restrictions (vet with residents) to improve safety of route to school - spring

Project Background:

With the planned development of the Highlands Cove Subdivision, both ACHD and the City of Boise placed requirements on the developer to help with the additional traffic. ACHD has been working on a plan and needs the neighborhood's input before moving forward. Residents in the Highlands neighborhood are invited to review proposed ideas to help with speeding, cut-through traffic and pedestrian safety.

Materials from the April 6, 2016 Open House

Materials from the open house can be found under "Related Documents" to the right of your screen.

.....

Learn more about the North Boise Neighborhood Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

Time Frame

Start Date:

Summer 2016

End Date:

Spring 2017