(January 17, 2023) – The City of Lewiston will hold an open house to give residents the opportunity to learn more about the reconstruction of Bryden Avenue from 4th Street to 7th Street.
This open house will be held from 4:00pm – 6:00pm at the Orchards Community Church, 822 Bryden Avenue, Lewiston, Idaho 83501. City and consultant staff will be available to describe improvements, review right-of-way impacts, and answer questions.
This project will improve safety, access, and mobility, and reduce congestion for the traveling public along Bryden Avenue. Based on traffic projections, the intersections of 4th Street, 5th Street, and 6th Street will exceed capacity, creating additional congestion issues by the year 2051. Between 2008 and 2011, there were 67 collisions within the corridor. Operational issues include signal timing, limited sight distance, and channelization. The area may be classified as a high accident corridor. Conditions are expected to worsen by the 2051 design year as traffic volumes and development increase.
Project improvements will include:
- Widening of Bryden Avenue from a three-lane to a five-lane roadway between 4th Street and 7th Street. The roadway will be reconstructed, including the base and paving.
- Constructing new curb, gutter, and sidewalk along the widened roadway areas. Where existing curb, gutter, and sidewalk exist in the correct location and elevation for the widened roadway will be preserved.
- Relocating utilities as required. Overhead power poles will be relocated to accommodate widening.
- Additional illumination.
- Constructing a 36” to 42” storm sewer line the full length of the corridor improvements.
The proposed right-of-way width will be 80’ (40’ on each side of the centerline). Right of way and easements will be acquired to construct the improvements.
Project Description
Bryden Avenue is one of Lewiston’s most trafficked arterial roads. Just like everything, in time the roadway wears down, eventually needing repairs or overall reconstruction. In addition to normal wear and tear, increased traffic and development have created a higher demand for use of this roadway.
The City of Lewiston is currently in the design phase of this major project. The proposed design includes widening the now three and four lanes of traffic to five lanes; adding a pedestrian signal and ADA ramps; upgrading traffic signals and turn lanes.
The Bryden Avenue project will improve safety, access, and mobility, and reduce congestion for the traveling public along Bryden Avenue. Based on traffic projections, the intersections of 4th Street, 5th Street, and 6th Street will exceed capacity, creating additional congestion issues by the design year of 2051. Between 2008 and 2011 there were 67 collisions within the corridor. Operational issues include signal timing, limited sight distance, and channelization. The area may be classified as a high accident corridor. Conditions are expected to worsen by the 2051 design year as traffic volumes and development increase.
Project improvements will include:
- Widening of Bryden Avenue from a three-lane to a five-lane roadway between 4th Street and 7th Street. The roadway will be reconstructed, including the base and paving.
- Constructing new curb, gutter, and sidewalk along the widened roadway areas. Where existing curb, gutter, and sidewalk exist in the correct location and elevation for the widened roadway will be preserved.
- Relocating utilities as required. Overhead power poles will be relocated to accommodate widening.
- Additional illumination.
- Constructing a 36” to 42” storm sewer line the full length of the corridor improvements.
The proposed right-of-way width will be 80’ (40’ on each side of the centerline). Right of way and easements will be acquired to construct the improvements.
The total projected cost for this needed transportation project is over $15 million and will require detailed traffic plans and cooperation from all commuters, as sections of the road will be narrowed and/or closed throughout construction. This project has also been a top priority in the City of Lewiston Transporation Capital Improvement Plan for many years. Members of the public have the opportunity to provide comments on this plan throughout the year.
Next Steps
- The final design will be complete by December 2023.
- The city anticipates acquiring the right-of-way property needed for the project between 2025 and 2027.
- The dates of construction will be determined after the right-of-way acquisition.
* Right-of-way acquisition and construction timeframes will depend on funding availability.
Project Costs Broken Down
- Preliminary Design and Final Design: $950,000
- Design for Construction: $150,000
- Right-of-Way Acquisition: $3+ Million
- Construction: $8.7 Million (This estimate is based on current market values.)
Supporting Documents
- Stage 1 Map – Part One
- Stage 1 Map – Part Two
- Stage 1 Map – Part Three
- Stage 1 Map – Part Four
- Stage 1 Drawings of Road Sections
