BOISE — The Ada County Highway District Board of Commissioners declared an emergency following a significant washout along Bogus Basin Road caused by recent storms, allowing the District to expedite repairs to the damaged roadway.
ACHD maintenance crews have identified damage near mile marker 10 on Bogus Basin Road, including significant washout and failing pavement. The intense rainfall from recent storms caused severe erosion between the edge of the pavement and the travel lane, resulting in the loss of portions of the roadway shoulder and pavement. The failure has also compromised drainage, preventing stormwater from reaching an existing inlet and increasing the risk of additional slope failure.
Bogus Basin Road is the only paved, publicly maintained access to the Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area and serves as the primary route for emergency responders, residents, employees, and visitors. The potential for continued erosion presents an immediate and substantial risk, leading to the Commission's decision to declare an emergency. The declaration allows ACHD to streamline procurement processes and begin geotechnical work and design on an expedited timeline. Commissioners approved the declaration during their regular meeting last week. Construction on the roadway repairs is currently targeted to begin in late August.
"The safety of the traveling public is our highest priority," said Matt Degen, Safety Engineering Manager. "This declaration allows us to move quickly to address the damage, stabilize the roadway, and maintain safe access to Bogus Basin before winter conditions return."
Throughout construction, ACHD will make every effort to maintain access on Bogus Basin Road. While the roadway will remain open whenever safely possible, traffic is expected to be reduced to a single lane, controlled by temporary traffic signals, during the project.
In the meantime, ACHD crews will continue to monitor the site daily. Depending on changing conditions, traffic may be reduced to one lane before construction begins if engineers determine it is necessary to protect the traveling public.
Motorists are encouraged to slow down, follow all traffic control devices, and allow extra travel time when driving on Bogus Basin Road.
To subscribe for updates to the project and follow along with progress, visit https://www.achdidaho.org/bogusbasin.
