ITD presents Highway 69 (Meridian Road) corridor study proposing wider lanes, raised median and multiuse paths

Idaho Transportation Department and consultant DKS Associates presented a draft traffic study for State Highway 69 (Meridian Road) and the Meridian–Kuna corridor, laying out a long-range vision that would widen key segments, install a continuous raised median, and add multiuse pathways.

The study covers an 8-mile corridor and projects that traffic on the northern (Meridian Road) segment could more than double by 2050, the study’s design year. ITD staff said intersection congestion and crashes are major concerns: the most recent five-year crash count on the corridor is about 580 total crashes, with roughly 47 percent classified as serious or injury crashes — a higher percentage than the statewide average for similar facilities.

Why it matters: ITD said without changes, dominant-peak travel times could rise sharply (one northbound peak could grow from about 13–14 minutes today to more than 42 minutes by 2050). The study’s preferred vision is intended to retain driver expectancy while improving safety and capacity.

Key elements of the proposed vision include widening the busiest north-south segment from five to seven lanes with a continuous raised median (shown in the draft with an 18-foot raised median), signalized access spaced at mile and half-mile intervals, right-turn lanes at access points, and 10-foot buffered multiuse pathways on both sides of the corridor where feasible. In the east–west (Avalon/Kuna) section, ITD proposes five continuous lanes with sidewalks transitioning into the multiuse path. ITD noted constrained right-of-way and steep slopes in parts of northern Meridian and outlined options such as elevated or tiered pathways in those sections.

ITD said it examined both “traditional” intersections and nontraditional alternatives such as continuous-flow intersections (CFIs) and median u-turns but ultimately recommended keeping driver expectancy with traditional at-grade intersections for this corridor. Presenters said the various alternatives performed similarly in travel time modeling, with only small differences when compared head-to-head, but that half-mile signal access had some advantages for distributing turning demand off major cross streets.

Public response and outreach: ITD reported an online open house attended by about 1,900 people with 135 comment forms submitted and 18 additional emailed or phoned comments. According to the presentation, roughly 55 percent of respondents supported the preferred concepts, 29 percent opposed, and 16 percent were neutral. Support was strongest for converting the Kuna Curve to a standard four‑leg intersection and for widening to increase capacity. Opposition centered on concerns about access limitation from raised medians, noise, loss of rural character, and requests for more transit-oriented solutions rather than added lanes.

Funding and next steps: ITD staff said the draft study is expected to be finalized in July. ITD and partners, including the Metropolitan Planning Organization (Compass), have submitted grant applications (the presentation referenced a BUILD grant application) and are following a separate I‑84 mobility study that is evaluating solutions near the Overland/Interstate interchange. The presentation also noted an ITD board action to pursue a STAR (State tax anticipated revenue) agreement with Brighton Development for potential funding tied to development at Meridian and Lake Hazel.

Council reaction: Meridian councilmembers pressed ITD on two main topics: (1) why the study excluded a comprehensive treatment of the Overland Road/I‑84 segment and (2) how the recommended design would interact with travel patterns and any future I‑84/Overland improvements. ITD replied that because a high‑capacity solution at Overland would require multi‑agency buy‑in and likely a more expensive vertical solution (interchange) the Overland/I‑84 work is better pursued as a separate, mutual project with Ada County Highway District rather than within this corridor study. ITD said its modeling used Compass travel demand assumptions and that the corridor recommendations remain applicable regardless of which high‑capacity solution is ultimately selected at the interstate interchange.

Councilmember follow-up and concerns: Council members asked for continued coordination with Kuna, Compass, Ada County Highway District, and neighboring jurisdictions, and several councilmembers said the Overland/I‑84 bottleneck must be addressed to make corridor improvements meaningful. A resident who lives near the corridor raised concern about emergency vehicle access across raised medians.

What’s next: ITD said the study’s draft will be updated and finalized in July; the agency will continue coordination with city staff, ACHD, Compass, and potential grant partners. ITD asked the council for feedback; the agency did not request any formal approval at the meeting.

Quote: “It’s more of an information, and feedback. We weren’t requesting a, approval disapproval, but, we wanted to keep you informed,” ITD District 3 representative Mark Wostel said during questions about the council’s role.

Ending: The council did not take action; staff and ITD will continue interagency coordination and return with updates as the study is finalized.