Boise Bench Residents Weigh In on Proposed Latah & Alpine Safety Upgrades

City seeks community input on three options to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at busy intersection.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:18pm

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A boldly colored, abstract grid of stylized crosswalk and pedestrian crossing signs, conceptually representing efforts to improve street safety infrastructure.Proposed safety upgrades aim to make a busy Boise Bench intersection more accessible and secure for pedestrians and cyclists.Boise Today

The City of Boise is proposing new safety improvements for the intersection of Latah and Alpine on the Boise Bench, and is asking residents to vote on three different options ranging from basic sidewalk upgrades to more extensive multi-use pathways and parking changes. Locals have raised concerns about the intersection's lack of pedestrian infrastructure and high traffic speeds, especially with students walking to nearby schools.

Why it matters

This intersection on the Boise Bench is a major thoroughfare that sees high volumes of vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic, but lacks adequate safety features. Improving the intersection could help prevent accidents and make the area more accessible for all users, especially vulnerable road users like students walking to school.

The details

The city applied for a grant through COMPASS, a regional planning organization, to fund the safety improvements. The three options residents can vote on include basic sidewalk upgrades, new multi-use pathways, and changes to nearby business parking. Locals like Marjorie Wilson and Bryan Roesler have expressed concerns about speeding vehicles and the need for better pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure in the area.

  • The city launched the community survey to gather input on the proposed options in April 2026.
  • After the community vote, the city will work with the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) to determine the next steps, including design, timeline, and cost.

The players

Marjorie Wilson

A Boise Bench resident and mother whose daughters walk through the Latah and Alpine intersection to get to school.

Bryan Roesler

A Boise Bench resident and bicyclist who has noticed safety issues in the area, including near misses with vehicles.

Kathy Corless

A Boise City Council Member who represents the Boise Bench and said speed limit changes could be discussed as part of the safety improvements.

COMPASS

A regional planning organization that helped the City of Boise develop the three safety upgrade options for the Latah and Alpine intersection.

Ada County Highway District (ACHD)

The agency that will work with the City of Boise to determine the next steps for the safety improvement project after the community vote.

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What they’re saying

“It wasn't necessarily built for pedestrians. It's very scary. I know that we've had a lot of deaths in the Treasure Valley from motor vehicle accidents, and I don't want to see it happen again, certainly not on the Bench and certainly not to my children.”

— Marjorie Wilson, Boise Bench resident and mother

“These type of fixes will really cause drivers to really have to notice you and pay attention.”

— Bryan Roesler, Boise Bench resident and bicyclist

“We need to look at all options to keep people safe as we move this project forward, and I think speed limits are absolutely part of that discussion.”

— Kathy Corless, Boise City Council Member

What’s next

After the community votes on their preferred option, the city will work with ACHD to determine the next steps, including design, timeline, and cost.

The takeaway

This intersection improvement project on the Boise Bench highlights the ongoing need to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety, especially in areas with high traffic volumes and speeds. The community's input will help shape solutions that address local concerns and make the intersection safer for all users.