A new connection for pedestrians and cyclists will help take some non-vehicle traffic off the busy Warm Springs/Ave B/Main St./Idaho St/Broadway Ave. intersection.
The Dona Larson pathway includes several new segments. The first, already completed, adds a new concrete path around the perimeter of the Pioneer Cemetery on Warm Springs.
Ada County Highway District crews began work on the next phase of the project, which will add a pathway through the Dona Larson Park site – snaking its way around the softball field, football field and parking lot. The path will end at a new pedestrian signal crossing between Dona Larson and the Cafe Zupa’s parking lot
The city and highway district set out to find ways to reduce congestion on the large intersection and give non-vehicle users another route to connect to the east end.
Boise Mayor Dave Bieter, who lives in the east end, praised ACHD’s work on the project during a city council work session Tuesday.
The overall project will also add a new pedestrian crossing at Bannock St. near St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, add buffered bike lanes along a portion of Warm Springs and reconfigure the roadways.
ACHD said the project is not directly related to St. Lukes’ upcoming closure of Jefferson St., but improvements in the area tie into infrastructure upgrades completed by St. Luke’s in the area including a cycle track and new roundabouts.