Loveland plans Boise Avenue crossing upgrades starting in August

The City of Loveland will begin construction on the Boise Avenue Crossing Improvements Project during the week of Aug. 17, with work scheduled to finish in late fall, weather permitting, according to a city news release.

The project is aimed at improving safety, accessibility and connectivity along Boise Avenue, which provides access to McKee Park, Banner Medical Offices and nearby residential areas. City officials said the work will improve crossings for people walking, biking and driving.

Planned upgrades include pedestrian crossing signals, median islands and curb extensions with enlarged sidewalk landing areas where Boise Avenue intersects with 16th Street, 17th Street and Silver Leaf Drive. The project also calls for crosswalk features with pedestrian push buttons and rapid flashing beacons, along with removing southbound left-turn lanes at Boise and 16th Street and Boise and Silver Leaf Drive to help slow traffic.

The city said the work responds to a 2016 Boise Avenue Corridor Study that identified a need for safer crosswalks and traffic-calming improvements. Minor delays are expected during construction from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and no detours are planned. Madison Avenue may be used as an alternate route.

Funding includes a $382,500 Highway Safety Improvement Program grant and $207,500 in matching money from the city’s general fund, according to the release.