Cassia-Garden Pathway Connection

Project Overview

The City of Boise is planning a new multi-use pathway between the Garden Street Bikeway at Albion Street and the Cassia Street Bikeway at Cassia Park.

The project includes:

Building a 10-foot wide multi-use pathway between the Cassia Park Bikeway and Garden Street Bikeway.
Constructing a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Ridenbaugh Canal.
Improving the Electric Light Switch Lateral (an extension of the Ridenbaugh Canal). These improvements will include piping the canal underground.
Replacing the existing canal bridge on Albion Street and constructing a pedestrian curb ramp at the intersection. ACHD will complete this work as a separate project.

Map of Cassia Garden Pathway Project showing planned pathway connecting from Roosevelt Street at Cassia Park at Ridenbaugh Canal across Albion street to Garden Street. — Map of north-south pathway on the east side of the Electric Light Switch Lateral between the Garden Street Bikeway on the north and the Cassia Street bikeway on the south.

Rendering describing the changes to the Cassia Garden Pathway.

Background and Timeline

The connection of the Cassia Street and Garden Street bikeways has been part of numerous long-range plans since the 1970s. Several organizations have worked together to advance the project.

2012 – The ACHD Central Bench Neighborhood Transportation Plan recommended the pathway project.
2015 – Boise Parks and Recreation and Nampa and Meridian Irrigation District became involved in the project.
2017 – The Central Bench Neighborhood Association (CBNA) was awarded a Neighborhood Reinvestment Grant to continue project efforts, including a public open house in 2017.
2019-2020 – CBNA and Boise City Council highlighted the pathway as a priority. The city and ACHD held a public open house in 2020.
2021 – The Cassia Street Bikeway was constructed.
2023 – the design of the Cassia-Garden Pathway began.
2023-2024 – The Garden Street Bikeway was constructed.

Funding for the pathway project will come from the federal government and the City of Boise. The Albion Street Bridge project will be funded by ACHD and the City of Boise.

Boise Pathways Master Plan

The Cassia-Garden Pathway is part of the City of Boise's efforts to expand a network of low-stress bicycle and pedestrian routes across Boise.

The pathway will provide:

A direct 1.5-mile walking and bicycle route from the Boise Bench to the Greenbelt.
A new walking and bicycling route to area schools.
A new walking and bicycling route to area schools.
A new access point to Cassia Park from the north.

When the pathway is complete, more than 4,500 residents will live within a 10-minute walk to Cassia Park.

Read the Boise Pathways Master Plan

Albion Street Bridge

The Albion Street Bridge is being redesigned by the City of Boise as a part of the Cassia-Garden Pathway project.

The project will include replacing aging irrigation infrastructure under Albion Street and constructing a pedestrian curb ramp at the intersection of Garden Street and Albion Street.

When the City of Boise is ready to construct the pathway, the Ada County Highway District will oversee reconstruction of the Albion Street Bridge.

The Albion Street Bridge over the Electric Light Switch Lateral

Construction

Construction on these projects is expected to begin in fall 2027, after irrigation season has ended. The city and ACHD will keep residents informed before and during construction.

During construction:

Work is expected to occur during daytime hours.
Albion Street and sidewalks will close east of the Garden Street intersection.
Work is not expected to impact irrigation services.
Work may be noisy and dusty.

Electric Light Switch Lateral & canal access road. — Electric Light Switch Lateral & canal access road

Community Engagement

Join us for a project open house!

Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Drop in style)
Library! At Hillcrest
5246 W Overland Road

Join us for an open house and learn about plans for a new multi-use pathway north of Cassia Park that will connect the Garden Street and Cassia Street bikeways. The meeting will also include information about the Ada County Highway District's plan to replace the canal bridge at the intersection of Albion and Garden streets. City staff will be available to share project details and answer questions.

Tell Us What You Think

Use the web form to share your thoughts with the project team. Comments open through October 21.

In the coming months, the project team will:

Evaluate public feedback.
Continue to work with local jurisdictions and property owners.
Develop final design plans.

For more information, contact our team at movementforeveryone@cityofboise.org.

Send a Message to Planning

Thank you for your interest in the Planning division. Please fill out the form below and a representative will be in touch with you. If you are inquiring about a specific project, please include the record number or project address.