Improve safety accessibility and transit operations along the W river street corridor at pioneer avenue by relocating and upgrading existing bus stops and implementing targeted corridor safety…

The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration awarded Valley Regional Transit $681,198 on July 15, 2026, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to relocate and upgrade bus stops and implement corridor safety improvements along W River Street at Pioneer Avenue in Boise, Idaho.

The project encompasses planning, design, environmental review, and construction activities along approximately 400 feet of corridor to reduce conflicts between transit vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and general traffic while enhancing ADA-compliant access to transit. Construction will relocate two existing bus stops—shifting the northbound stop approximately 65 feet west and repositioning the southbound stop to the nearside of Pioneer Avenue—and construct bus bulbs (transit islands) at both locations to enable buses to board and alight passengers without leaving the travel lane. Additional safety and multimodal improvements are planned. Project development will include concept and preliminary engineering, final design, and NEPA environmental documentation, with coordination throughout with the City of Boise and the Capital City Development Corporation to ensure compatibility with surrounding infrastructure.

Performance occurs in Idaho within the Boise and Nampa urbanized area. The period of performance extends from the award date through April 30, 2028.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to improve safety accessibility and transit operations along the W river street corridor at pioneer avenue by relocating and upgrading existing bus stops and implementing targeted corridor safety treatments. The project is intended to reduce conflicts between transit vehicles pedestrians bicyclists and general traffic; enhance ADA-compliant access to transit; and improve the efficiency and reliability of bus service in a high-activity urban area. Improvements will support safer boarding and alighting better multimodal integration and overall corridor functionality within the boise and nampa urbanized area (UZA) locations.

Activities

This project will include planning design environmental review and construction activities necessary to relocate and improve existing transit stops and implement corridor safety and accessibility improvements along approximately 400 feet of W river street at the pioneer avenue intersection in boise idaho.project development activities will include concept and preliminary engineering final design and completion of all required environmental documentation in accordance with the national environmental policy act (NEPA). Coordination with local stakeholders the city of boise and the capital city development corporation will occur throughout the design process to ensure compatibility with surrounding infrastructure and planned improvements.construction activities will include relocation of two existing bus stops (AB503 and AB502) to improve safety and operational efficiency. The northbound stop will be shifted approximately 65 feet west and the southbound stop will be relocated to the nearside of pioneer avenue. Bus bulbs (transit islands) will be constructed at both stop locations to allow buses to board and alight passengers without leaving the travel lane improving transit operations and reducing conflicts with traffic.additional safety and multimodal improvements will include installation of a raised median within the two-way left-turn lane west of the pioneer avenue crosswalk to prevent vehicles from bypassing stopped buses. The existing two-way left-turn lane will be maintained east of the intersection to preserve access to pioneer avenue. Bicycle facilities will be enhanced through delineation of the bike lane as IT approaches and passes through the intersection and transit stop areas including integration with a shared-use path located behind the bus bulbs to reduce conflicts between bicyclists and transit riders.pedestrian and accessibility improvements will include construction and upgrading of sidewalks curbs gutters pedestrian crossings and ADA-compliant curb ramps. These improvements will enhance safe access to transit and improve connectivity for pedestrians and persons with disabilities. The project will also include subsurface excavation drainage improvements as needed installation of transit amenities (such as shelters signage and related passenger facilities) and all associated roadway striping and traffic control elements necessary to complete the corridor improvements.

Expected outcomes

The project will result in improved safety accessibility and operational efficiency for transit users and other roadway users along the W river street corridor at pioneer avenue. Relocation and reconstruction of the existing bus stops combined with installation of bus bulbs and a raised median will reduce conflicts between transit vehicles and general traffic including eliminating the ability for vehicles to bypass stopped buses within the project limits. The project will improve transit operations by allowing buses to remain in the travel lane during passenger boarding and alighting reducing delays associated with merging back into traffic and improving schedule reliability. Improved stop placement will enhance visibility and predictability for both transit operators and roadway users.pedestrian and ADA accessibility will be significantly enhanced through the construction and upgrading of sidewalks curb ramps crossings and transit boarding areas. These improvements will provide safer and more accessible connections to transit for all users including individuals with disabilities.bicycle safety and connectivity will be improved through clearer delineation of bicycle facilities and separation of bicycle movements from transit boarding areas via a shared-use path located behind the bus stops. These treatments will reduce conflicts between bicyclists pedestrians and transit riders.

Intended beneficiaries

Primary beneficiaries include transit riders along the W river street corridor who will experience improved safety accessibility and more efficient boarding and alighting. Pedestrians bicyclists and individuals with disabilities will benefit from enhanced ADA-compliant infrastructure and reduced conflicts through improved crossings and multimodal design. Transit operators motorists and the surrounding community will also benefit from improved traffic flow safety treatments and overall corridor functionality within the boise and nampa urbanized area (UZA) locations.