ACHD, City of Boise Advance Safety Measures for North End Neighborhood Slow Zone Pilot

BOISE — The Ada County Highway District, in partnership with the City of Boise, will implement a Slow Zone Pilot on select streets in Boise’s North End.

Beginning in January, ACHD will reduce posted speed limits to 20 mph on 8th Street, 9th Street, 15th Street, 16th Street, Fort Street, Hays Street, and Harrison Boulevard. To support safer crossings, ACHD will also install pedestrian crossing flags at all marked crosswalks along Harrison Boulevard.

The slow zone will be paired with enforcement by Boise Police officers and enhanced education. The City and ACHD will monitor the slow zone areas over the next three months to evaluate whether these measures reduce speeds on corridors that historically operate at 25 to 30 mph.

“This pilot is another step in our ongoing work to improve safety for all users,” said Miranda Gold, ACHD Commission President. “It allows us to work closely with the City of Boise and the neighborhood to learn what works best and to meet local needs in a way that supports both safety and community values.”

Additionally, enhanced parking enforcement is underway in the neighborhood, ensuring vehicles are not parked too closely to intersections, stop signs, and pedestrian crossings, which can create serious visibility issues and put people walking, biking, and rolling at risk. Residents are reminded that parking within 30 feet of a stop sign or 20 feet of a cross walk (marked or unmarked) is illegal, and violations may result in citations.

"Boise belongs to all of us, and we have a responsibility to look out for each other when it comes to sharing our roads," said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. "Across our city, every neighborhood is asking for safer streets for everyone— pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. This pilot program reminds drivers to slow down so that all residents can move more safely throughout Boise."

The slow zone pilot changes will be implemented in January, after the holiday season, to ensure outreach, education, and enforcement are coordinated and not overshadowed by holiday activities.

“Speed limits and parking laws exist for a reason: they protect lives,” said Chris Dennison, Boise Police Chief. “Our officers will support this pilot with targeted enforcement and education to help ensure everyone understands and follows the rules of the road.”

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