The agency turns 40 this week and–not surprising–had its genesis in bad government. They like to say the issue was potholes, but it was much deeper.

When each city had its own street department and the county had a road department, there was always the issue of ANNEXATION.

The city wouldn’t fix roads outside the city limits and the county officials were loath to make improvements only to be gobbled up by the city. Hence, a 1971 election created what is touted as a “model system” to place road planning, construction, and maintenance under one countywide district.

Along with the highway system, ACHD began a commuter ride van program that now claims 900 riders aboard 94 vans from Oregon to Mountain Home. The brag an estimated 13.8 million miles were saved by the program.

The cities and ACHD have had their differences over the past 40 years, but taken as a whole, the roads, bike paths, traffic signals, and van pool are valuable additions to the community.

If we could get the same expertise and cooperation on a bus system, we could have something.

There will be a “birthday party” at noon Wednesday at the ACHD HQ building , 3775 Adams in Garden City. If weather predictions are correct, many of the staff will be manning sand trucks and snow plows by that time.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m. Tuesday–
CHD Crews Prepare for Incoming Winter Storm

Ada County Highway District (ACHD) Winter Street Service crews are ready to take on what has the makings of this winter’s first snow storm. Crews got a jumpstart on pre-treating Ada County roadways with de-icer this morning (Jan. 17) in advance of the evening commute and forecasted snow. Thirty five de-icer trucks took to the streets, with a focus on major intersections, hills and heavily traveled roads.

Using de-icer on the roads before the evening commute will allow the rush hour traffic to help spread the product over the road, which will provide for good coverage before the snow starts falling. De-icer works as a pre-treatment to help prevent snow from sticking to the roads and forming ice and also works to melt snow once it’s on the ground.

Tonight, crews will attach plows to trucks and will have sand and de-icer trucks staged and ready to go. ACHD will closely monitor the weather conditions over night and crews will be called in before the morning commute if necessary.

So far this season, crews have been out just three times to treat the roads for winter weather. ACHD’s Winter Street Service supplies are fully stocked with sand and de-icer.

ACHD uses a priority system when responding to winter storm events. Major intersections, bridges, schools and hills are among the top priorities. ACHD staff monitors weather forecasts and road conditions in the early morning hours and throughout the day during weather events. ACHD also works closely with Ada County Dispatch on requests for sand or anti-icing applications from police or sheriff deputies.

ACHD provides Winter Street Services to more than 2,200 miles of local roads in Ada County. State highways including Eagle Road, Chinden Boulevard as well as the Interstate and the Boise Connector are managed by the Idaho Transportation Department.

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Citizens along NW Boise’s Collister lane opposed plans to widen their street and install curb and sidewalks–75% were happy with status quo and told the Ada County Highway District to leave it alone. At a public hearing Wednesday described by one and all to be “engaged, civil, and informative” the ACHD commishes agreed with the citizens and permanently abandoned the $2 million plan to install sidewalks.

In 25 years there have been no incidents involving car-pedestrian conflicts. The GUARDIAN has heard several calls for increased traffic enforcement, but not much interest in spending money on sidewalks.

Concerns voiced by residents along the road ranged from cost of acquiring right-of-way to diminishing the size of yards and lengths of driveways forcing elimination of parking in private driveways.

No doubt this set very well with commish Sara Baker who was elected to the board after her own residence was subjected to a similar road widening project despite her opposition.

Boise’s Team Dave sent the following letter to the ACHD which we take as urging them to not base their decision on the will of the people and to keep the issue open:

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This disturbing trend reenforces the notion that citizens have little voice in their government. Even government officials rely on hired guns to get their views know at the next level of government.

We briefly discussed the issue recently at the GUARDIAN.

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PERSI is full of flaws that cost taxpayers millions and is in danager of foundering. It is a defined BENEFIT plan rather than a defined CONTRIBUTION plan. In short, that means former public workers get a specific payout even when the stock market and other investments take a dump. If it stays as is, look for even more contribution hikes which could also mean tax increases. PERSI will certainly be a topic of concern during the next legislative session.

The GUARDIAN’s biggest problem with the system is the abuse by elected officials. At all levels of government we have commishes, councilors, legislators, and others who serve for years at elected jobs paying a mere stipend–say $5,000 a year. When retirement nears they magically get appointed to positions paying upwards of $90,000.

One of the hidden treasures for these elected officials is the retirement boost they get.
Because the state retirement (PERSI) is based upon length of service at ANY pay rate with any participating agency. Their retirement checks are based on the highest pay for any 42 consecutive months…that’s also why politicos in formerly high paying jobs stick around for minor jobs if voted out of office as well.

The “rule of 90” requirement means their years of service plus age must equal 90 for them to retire with benefits based on their highest 42 months of pay…pretty nice if you can get appointed or elected to a four year term at high pay.

Former Gov. Phil Batt tried to get the law changed to read “full time employment” to no avail. A tough task when you see how many legislators end up working for the state at high salary after leaving the part time legislature with 20 years under their belts.

Here is a link to a well done PERSI VIDEO aimed at informing new legislators. While not in a crisis mode, the plan will need some increased contributions.

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PRESS RELEASE FROM ACHD

ACHD Commissioners are expected to adopt a hold-the-line budget for 2011 that avoids an increase to the amount of property taxes collected while maintaining the core traffic operations and maintenance activities.

Commissioners take up the $84 million spending plan at the Wednesday, August 25, 2009 meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in the Ada County Highway District Auditorium, 3775 Adams St., in Garden City.

For the second year in a row, Commissioners opted to not take the three percent increase in the property tax rate allowed by law or the increase allowed for growth (newly improved properties) on the tax roll. As a result, the total amount of property tax proposed to be collected is $31.7 million – the same amount as the prior two years.

To help contain costs, the District will continue with 10 unfilled positions, will forgo employee merit raises for a third year, and will strictly control the use of overtime or temporary employees.

Property taxes represent the largest revenue source for ACHD, followed by state gas taxes ($19.7 million), the vehicle registration fee ($8.4 million) and impact fees ($7 million).

A list of upcoming construction projects follows

Construction projects account for roughly half of the proposed spending. Major projects moving ahead in the coming budget year include:

• The widening Ten Mile Road, between the old Overland Road intersection and Interstate 84, to five lanes. The $1.5 million project will also improve the Ten Mile/Overland intersection.
• The reconstruction and widening of intersection of McMillan and Locust Grove roads. The $2.8 million project includes a new traffic signal.
• The reconstruction, relocation and signalization of the State Highway 44/Old State Street/Ballantyne Lane intersection. The $1.3 million project will move the intersection 1,300 feet to the west, greatly improving safety at a high-speed accident location.
• The completion of the Eagle, Victory to the Ridenbaugh Canal, project. The project is widening the roadway from two to five lanes with curb, gutter, sidewalks and bike lanes, and the expansion and signalization of the Victory/Eagle intersection. The $2.6 million project began in 2010 and will conclude in May.
• Right-of-way (land) purchases for Five Mile Road ($2.1 million), Franklin to Fairview, and for second phase of the Meridian Split Corridor – Meridian and Main streets ($2.4 million), from Franklin Road to Cherry Lane. Having right-of-way will allow these projects to progress in 2013.
• Design of the 30th Street Extension ($400,000), from Fairview to State, and of Five Mile Road ($300,000), from Fairview to Ustick, which will allow these projects to progress to construction in 2013 and 2015, respectively.
• Thirty-five projects to increase safety for pedestrians and provide neighborhood enhancements, largely funded by Ada County Vehicle Registration Fees – $4.4 million. The fees were approved by voters in the fall of 2008.

ACHD’s fiscal year begins in October and runs through the end of September 2011.

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Most of these major downtown structures pay NO TAXES to city, county or schools.

Even the Republican Party has a plank to bring the UR agencies into line with a state constitutional requirement that local governments must seek voter approval for debt. Current law declares urban renewal agencies to be “independent bodies corporate and politic.”

Once a district is created–usually by a city council–all the taxes on improvements and appreciation are diverted from the coffers of cities, counties, school and highway districts. Meanwhile the rest of the taxpaying public living OUTSIDE the district has to make up the lost revenue.

Worst of all, urban renewal districts have NO OVERSIGHT of any elected governmental body and are totally apart from cities, counties or the State after they are created by a city council.

Nearly all the taxes are diverted from BoDo, the Grove Hotel, and all of the downtown towers built in the past 25 years. The widow on fixed income, families, and others are forced to make up the shortfall in taxes to pay for the police, fire, and municipal services to the area within the urban renewal district.

It may be a noble cause to “renew” blighted areas, but it should be done with assent of those of us who pay the bills and not serve to benefit a select number of developers as is often the case.

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David Klinchuch has filed for the District 4 seat on the Commission in the November 2010 election.

Mr. Klinchuch is an Idaho product, having graduate from Kuna High School in 1962 and the University of Idaho (Class of 1966), College of Engineering.

For questions please contact David Klinchuch at 208 922 5770 or DavidK4ACHD@gmail.com

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Corder, 38, is challenging incumbent John Franden for control of the only male seat on the ACHD commission. If elected will represent the area generally known as Garden City and Eagle and only 20% of voters–those living in the district–are allowed to vote for a commissioner on the November ballot.

At least the former tough guy didn’t try to get in the ring and duke it out with one of the women commishes!

His entire press release follows.

Boise – Cleveland “The Warrior” Corder, former IBC and NBA World Middleweight Champion, has filed his candidacy for the District 3 seat on the Ada County Highway District Commission in the November 2010 election.

Said Corder, currently a Boise area businessman, “traffic needs to flow more smoothly in
Ada County. Whether traffic is jammed up because there are too many construction projects scheduled for the same area or the lights simply aren’t timed correctly, the situation hurts our economy at a time when many businesses and people are struggling. We should also be looking at innovations like roundabouts which keep the flow of traffic moving very well.”

Corder’s 2010 ACHD platform includes increasing the transparency of ACHD finances and expenses. He also believes that ACHD needs to work proactively with the cities in Ada County to maximize the impact of taxpayer money. “I’m a fighter,” he said, “and it’s time we had someone on the Ada County Highway District Commission that fights for taxpayers.”

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What a wonderful thing it is to be chosen to host this run-swim-bike contest of athletes. The economic impact and notoriety should help bring jobs and business to the “most remote city of its size in North America.”

Click to get full details of street closures from Ada County Highway Department.

Traffic Advisory
Ada County Highway District

June 10, 2010
Information Contact:
Robbie Johnson
Office: 208-387-6228
Cell: 208-860-6628

Major impacts to drivers expected during Boise’s Ironman event

Over the course of eight hours, participants in Ironman Boise 70.3 will race through town as they complete a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run in succession. This year’s Ironman Boise will start on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 2 p.m. beginning at Lucky Peak Reservoir and end in downtown Boise on 8th Street in BoDo.

1,400 participants are expected for this event. This is the third year of a five-year agreement between the Ironman organizers and the city of Boise. Course maps and information about the event are available on the Ironman Boise Web site: www.ironmanboise.com. The maps are also attached to this email.

The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) is working with Boise City, Ironman organizers, Boise Police, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and others to prepare for the road closures necessary to make the event possible. Citizens not involved in the Ironman event are urged to prepare and take alternate routes. Detour routes will be in place for the closures and drivers should use caution. Boise Police officers will be stationed along the course and will help residents get in and out of businesses and residences during the event. There will be around 75 flaggers directing traffic and 45 volunteers will also help along the route at intersections and driveways.

ITD is planning a different approach to restrictions on Idaho 21, which is used for the cycling portion of the event. Idaho 21 has been completely closed in the cycling area in years past, but this year one lane will be maintained for traffic to get through in both directions. There are no “hard” or complete closures planned without detour routes in place.

Idaho 21 on Saturday, June 12

• 2:15 p.m. – Flaggers will start directing traffic between Diversion Dam and Surprise Way, and lane restrictions will be put in place.
• Between Diversion Dam and Lucky Peak Dam, the right southbound lane and shoulder will be closed off to traffic. Bikes will use the closed lane, and one lane south and both lanes north will remain open to motorists.
• Between Diversion Dam and Surprise Way, traffic will be restricted to one lane. Vehicles will be guided northbound or southbound one direction at a time.
• Between Surprise Way and Technology Lane one lane in each direction will be maintained.
• 7:30 p.m. – Based on past years, the last bicyclist is anticipated to move through by this time. Traffic flagging will end as soon as the last rider leaves Idaho 21.
• 7:45 p.m. – The highway returns to normal operations.

Other ITD roads impacted Saturday, June 12

• Noon – Front Street will close between 6th and 9th streets. Traffic will be detoured north on Capitol, west on Idaho, south on 9th back to Front. This area will be the first-aid medical station and the command center for law enforcement during the event.
• Between 2:40 p.m. and 7 p.m. the I-84 Eisenman interchange ramps will be closed and traffic will be detoured to the Gowen interchange. The closure of the Eisenman interchange allows the bicycling portion of the competition to be rerouted away from the Gowen interchange and the Idaho 21/Federal Way intersection, which are more heavily used by motorists. The interchange is expected to reopen as soon as the last cyclist gets through the area.
• 4 p.m. – Myrtle Street will close between Capitol Boulevard and 9th Street. Traffic will be detoured north on 11th, east on Main Street, south on 3rd back to Myrtle.
• 11 p.m. – Myrtle Street will return to normal operations.
• After midnight – Front Street will return to normal operations.

ACHD roads impacted include:

Full closures

• 8th Street between Broad Street and Front Street closed Thursday, June 10 (today) at 8 a.m. and will be back open Sunday at 8 a.m.
• Capitol Boulevard between Myrtle Street and Front Street will be closed Friday, June 11 from 6 p.m. to Sunday, June 13 at 12:30 a.m.
• Broad Street between Capitol Boulevard and 9th Street will be closed between 4:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Saturday.
• Pleasant Valley Road from Gowen Road to Ten Mile Creek Road will be closed from 3 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Saturday.
• Ten Mile Creek Road will be closed from Pleasant Valley Road to South Cole Road from 3:20 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
• Eisenman Road from Interstate 84 to the Boise Factory Outlets mall will be closed from 2:50 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Saturday.
• Federal Way and Capitol Boulevard will be closed between Protest Road and Myrtle Street from 4:30 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. Saturday.

Lane restrictions

• Warm Springs Avenue between Highway 21 to the ParkCenter Bridge will have a lane restriction and delays between 4 p.m. and 7:40 p.m. Saturday. Only northbound traffic will be allowed between Highway 21 and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. The Shakespeare Festival will be accessible from town, but expect detours and delays.
• Gowen Road between Eisenman Road and Pleasant Valley will be westbound traffic only between 2:50 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Saturday.
• Holcomb/Bergeson between Boise Avenue and Federal Way will only be open to eastbound traffic from 4:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

ACHD will have special traffic signal timing plans for the closures on Capitol, Front and Myrtle to help move traffic. An ACHD traffic operations engineer will be at the ACHD Traffic Management Center Saturday monitoring traffic conditions and adjusting signals if needed.

Reader boards on local highways and the Connector are in place to alert motorists to the closures. Ironman organizers distributed 5600 mailers describing traffic impacts to residents.

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ACHD Video Traffic Cam Control Center

ACHD Commish Sara Baker revealed the arrangement on her blog yesterday and noted several recent crimes and emergencies which involved police use of the system.

You too can view intersections, but unlike the coppers at dispatch, you can’t manipulate the camera view. An Ada County Sheriff’s spokesman told the GUARDIAN the department has had control of the traffic cameras “after hours” since mid-February.

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