Frequently Asked Questions

+ Why are you changing State Street?

With the Treasure Valley projected to grow by 400,000 people over the next 20 years, State Street must meet increased traffic demand and offer the transportation options people want.

+ What is the plan for State Street’s future?

The plan includes widening the roadway to improve traffic flow, a new lane dedicated to carpools, vanpools, and buses, and improving biking and pedestrian infrastructure. Land use changes will spur development of more amenities for residents like restaurants and shops that can now be built closer to existing neighborhoods.

+ How did the priorities come about?

A 15-year public process led to the current plan. People overwhelmingly said they want more frequent and convenient public transit, as well as safer ways to walk or bike to their destinations.

+ How much does this project cost?

Roadway improvements will cost about $185 million, and the transit-related capital and planning costs will range from $25 million to $65 million.

+ How long will it take?

Some improvements will occur in the next few years, including rebuilding State Street intersections at Veterans Parkway Collister and increasing bus service in the corridor (scheduled to occur before the end of 2018). The completed project will take about 15 years.

+ What will this mean for the frequency of bus service?

Bus frequency improvements will begin before the end of this year. Valley Regional Transit’s goal over time is to provide bus service between Glenwood and Downtown Boise every 3 to 4 minutes during the rush hour, with the rest of State Street seeing rush hour service every 10-15 minutes.

+ What is the impact on rights of way?

ACHD has preserved the right-of-way for future widening along State Street. The agency has purchased land and required setbacks to meet the future construction needs.

+ What does this mean for commuters who drive and want to keep driving?

Improvements to State Street are all about giving people more options and will definitely benefit drivers. By enhancing other travel modes such as public transit and biking, some drivers may shift how they travel because it will be more convenient and safer.

+ I own a business on or near State Street. What does this project mean for me?

The improvements, which increase the corridor’s carrying capacity, mean that more people will see your storefront and signage, more people will live near your business, and more people will have frequent access to businesses.

+ Will we see more sidewalks on State Street?

Yes. Consistent sidewalks will be added as the roadway is widened on the same timeline as the road construction. This means that when the road is finished, people will enjoy new, connected sidewalks along with an easier commute.

+ Why are we investing more money in the public transit?

More than 1,000 people use the bus everyday to travel up and down State Street. Based on our extensive public planning processes, we know the community wants buses to come more often and run later into the night. Implementation of better bus service and infrastructure will make taking a bus or car or vanpooling more attractive to more people. It will also better serve the 1/3 of our population that cannot or does not drive due to age, health, or income level.

+ Which agencies are involved in this project?

It’s a collaborative project. In addition to the Cities of Boise, Garden City, and Eagle, the following public agencies are committed to improving State Street:

Valley Regional Transit (VRT) – The regional public transportation authority serving Ada and Canyon counties.

Ada County Highway District (ACHD) – A countywide highway district that manages all of the public roads in Ada County, Idaho, except state and private roads.

Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) – The state of Idaho governmental organization responsible for state transportation infrastructure.

Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC) – Redevelopment agency of the City of Boise.

Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) – A voluntary, membership-based coalition of local governments dedicated to planning for the region’s future.

+ I live in a neighborhood near State Street. Can residents like me have a say in State Street’s future, or are we too late?

It is not too late to get involved. While the big picture of the plan for State Street’s future was shaped by 15 years of public involvement and agency cooperation, the details can be influenced by public comment, including items such as: sidewalk widths, bus station locations and design, development application approvals, bike and pedestrian crossing locations, and more.

+ I’ve heard Idaho doesn’t invest public money in transit from the state level so it all falls on local government. Is that true? How do we change that?

Yes. Idaho is one of only two states where voters are prohibited from considering a local-option tax to fund infrastructure, and there is no dedicated state funding for transit needs. There are proven blueprints in metropolitan areas similar or even smaller in size than ours that serve many more people than we do through public transit. For example, Reno, NV, Spokane, WA, Fort Collin, CO, Tucson, AZ each boast four to five times the ridership rates per capita than the Treasure Valley’s transit operations.

By telling Idaho legislators what you want, you can influence policy decisions.

+ Is public transportation really necessary here? Even though we hear a lot about Boise’s growth, it is still much smaller than most cities. How do you know people will use it if you build it?

We need to provide choices that enhance the mobility of our community. If we don’t take the long view on public transit, we will be forced to drive, increasing traffic and the problems that come with it: stressful, increased drive times with air pollution that harms our health and makes the Boise area a less desirable place to live.

+ It seems like everything is focused on improving downtown. When will we see other areas of Boise or the Valley get better bus service and bike/ped infrastructure?

State Street leads to Downtown Boise, but it also travels through rural, suburban, and historic communities, including Eagle, Garden City, the West End, Sunset Park, Veterans Park, Collister, Pierce Park, and the Northwest neighborhoods. These communities and neighborhoods deserve roadways that are safe, provide adequate capacity, and offer multiple modes of transportation.