The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) has proposed a new overpass project on Swan Falls Road in Kuna, Idaho, designed to eliminate traffic delays caused by long freight trains. The infrastructure plan seeks to replace the current at-grade railroad crossing with a bridge structure that allows vehicles to pass above the tracks without interruption.
Design Phase and Funding
ACHD secured a $2.5 million grant to fund the design phase of the Swan Falls Road overpass project. Stihles Clark, ACHD’s senior project manager, is overseeing the plans. The agency has three years to complete the engineering and design work before seeking additional federal grant funding for construction.
The design process must account for several complex factors, including three active railroad tracks, Indian Creek, Kuna’s Greenbelt trail system, and connections to existing roadways. Once the design is finalized, ACHD plans to present the proposal to the public to gather community feedback.
Traffic and Emergency Response Improvements
Long freight trains regularly block Swan Falls Road, creating significant backups for commuters in Kuna. Clark noted that train crossings can halt traffic for extended periods, sometimes causing gridlock across the city. The new overpass is intended to alleviate this congestion by removing the intersection between vehicles and rail traffic.
“Sometimes it can stop for a significant amount of time and gridlock the city,” Clark said regarding the current delays at the crossing.
Beyond commuter convenience, the project addresses critical safety concerns for first responders. Trains blocking the crossing have historically delayed Kuna Fire response times to areas south of the tracks. These delays were a key consideration when officials located Kuna Fire’s new Station 2. The proposed overpass would improve emergency access by ensuring fire trucks and ambulances are not trapped behind rail traffic.
Project Scope and Roadway Expansion
The proposed structure will stand at least 30 feet above the railroad tracks, replacing the existing bridge over Indian Creek. The project includes widening the roadway from Avalon to Stagecoach to four lanes, accommodating increased traffic volume in the growing Treasure Valley community.
The design also incorporates two intersections at both ends of the structure and multi-use pathways for pedestrians and cyclists. Clark described the initiative as a major step toward reducing congestion in Kuna.
“This is just a big step to help alleviate some of that congestion,” Clark said.