Chinden Boulevard and 43rd Street Crossing Project in Garden City, Idaho Enters Second Phase
The federally funded Chinden Boulevard and 43rd Street Enhanced Crossing Project in Garden City, Idaho is moving into its second phase, bringing temporary road closures and detours that will affect commuters across the Treasure Valley. The Ada County Highway District announced Thursday that work begins Monday, May 4, with 43rd Street closing northeast of the intersection through the end of May.
What Drivers in Garden City Need to Know
Beginning Monday, 43rd Street will be closed northeast of the Chinden Boulevard intersection, according to the Ada County Highway District. ACHD is directing commuters to use Adams Street as the designated detour route during the closure period.
Chinden Boulevard itself will remain open during the second phase, maintaining two lanes in each direction. However, drivers should be aware that the center lane on Chinden will be closed during construction, which may cause slowdowns during peak travel hours. Commuters who regularly use 43rd Street to travel between Boise’s West Bench neighborhoods and surrounding areas should plan extra time and familiarize themselves with the Adams Street alternative before Monday’s start date.
ACHD said Thursday that 43rd Street is expected to reopen by the end of May, with the full project slated for completion sometime this summer.
Project Background: A Decade in the Making
The Chinden and 43rd Street Enhanced Crossing Project has been in development for more than a decade. The effort traces its origins to 2015, when the Federal Highway Administration’s Bike and Pedestrian Assessment Report for Chinden Boulevard first identified the location as a priority corridor. A formal planning effort, the Chinden Boulevard Corridor Project, took shape in 2016.
The project was incorporated into ACHD’s Garden City Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in 2020, and federal funds were committed to support construction in 2025. Ground was broken earlier this year in 2026, making the current second phase a significant milestone in a long-running planning effort.
For Ada County commuters and residents tracking other active ACHD projects in the region, Linder Road construction in Eagle is also ongoing as ACHD prepares for a roundabout closure — another project affecting daily travel patterns across the Treasure Valley.
Key Design Features of the Enhanced Crossing
According to ACHD’s project page, the completed crossing will include several safety and connectivity improvements designed to serve both pedestrians and cyclists traveling along the Chinden corridor:
Pedestrian hybrid beacon: A signalized crossing that stops vehicle traffic in both directions, allowing people walking and biking to cross Chinden Boulevard safely.
Raised median: The median will serve a dual purpose — reducing conflicts between turning vehicles and people walking or biking, while also providing a refuge island for those crossing the multi-lane boulevard.
High-visibility crosswalk striping and green bike lane paint: The design incorporates enhanced markings intended to alert motorists to crossing activity and visually separate pedestrian and bicycle traffic from vehicle lanes.
ACHD says the project is intended to improve connectivity between Boise’s West Bench neighborhoods, the Greenbelt, and surrounding areas. The enhanced crossing will also support 43rd Street as a low-stress bicycle and pedestrian route and offer an alternative to higher-traffic corridors like Curtis Road and Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Ada County is investing in pedestrian infrastructure beyond this project as well. Ada County has announced plans to build a footbridge over the Boise River near Expo Idaho, reflecting a broader push to improve non-motorized connectivity across the region.
What Comes Next for Ada County Commuters
Drivers and cyclists in Garden City and surrounding areas should mark their calendars for the following key milestones:
Monday, May 4: Second phase begins. 43rd Street closes northeast of the Chinden intersection. Use Adams Street as the detour.
End of May: ACHD expects 43rd Street to reopen to through traffic.
Summer 2026: Full project completion anticipated.
Residents who want to track construction updates, view project renderings, or submit questions can visit ACHD’s official project page directly through the Ada County Highway District’s website at achdidaho.org. ACHD encourages commuters to allow extra travel time during the closure period and to remain alert to changed traffic patterns near the work zone.