Boise is planning a new path connecting Federal Way to Broadway Avenue

BOISE, Idaho — A new trail is being built along the canal banks of Federal Way in hopes of making Boise a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly city.

• The City of Boise is planning a new path connecting Federal Way to Broadway Avenue. Two options are considered.
• The first option follows the circular ramp around the existing interchange, under the bridge and along Broadway, with a barrier separating traffic from pedestrians.
• The second option runs along the north side of the Ridenbaugh Canal and connects to existing sidewalks at Federal Way.
• Boise plans to complete the final design in early 2026 and hopes to break ground in 2027.

(Below is the transcript of the broadcast story)

I’m your Southeast neighborhood reporter Jessica Davis, telling you more about why the city wants to close the gap between Federal Way and Broadway and what neighbors think about the options.

“For me, it’s a three-mile circuit,” said Patti O’Hara, who lives near Broadway Ave. lives.

Patti O’Hara walks along the Ridenbaugh Canal in southeast Boise every day.

O’Hara says: “It’s quiet, it’s safe, it’s accessible, there are no bikes, you see a lot of people walking their dogs there.”

To get to the top of Federal Way, she and her husband walk along busy Broadway Avenue.

She says, “We crawl up the side of this overpass and get onto Federal Way. The way back is a little treacherous.”

That’s why the city wants to create the Broadway-Federal Way Pathway. To make the area safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

Currently, the sidewalk cuts off Broadway Avenue, leaving little to no space for pedestrians.

Many neighbors like O’Hara are using a man-made path along the canal, which the City of Boise believes could be a good long-term solution.

The city therefore made two suggestions.

Dane Hoskins is the Pathways Program Manager for the City of Boise. “So the idea is to give people who are a little hesitant about walking and cycling a space where they can walk and walk comfortably, that feels safe, that feels comfortable and that is attractive to people,” he says .

The city’s first option would cost $3.2 million and run after the loop ramp around the existing interchange, under the bridge and along Broadway, with a barrier separating traffic from pedestrians.

The second option would cost around $5.8 million, but the city says it has received better feedback.

The path would run along the north side of the Ridenbaugh Canal and connect to existing sidewalks on Federal Way.

Hoskins: “There is overwhelming support for alternative two between Federal Way and the Ridenbaugh Canal simply because it offers the highest level of convenience and safety.”

Patti O’Hara seems to agree.

“I like a nice route where I don’t have to think about the traffic or just the route. It’s a straight path, nice and windy and when the canal is flowing it’s beautiful, it’s a very peaceful walk.”

After taking feedback from residents like O’Hara, take the feedback and recommend one of the two options to the city council.

From there, the concept design develops the actual final drawings.

It will take a few years before you can see progress along the way.

The City of Boise told me it will complete the final design in early 2026 with the hope of breaking ground in 2027.