View source for Interstate 184

{{short description|Interstate Highway spur in Boise, Idaho, United States}}
{{redirect|I-184|the submarine|Japanese submarine I-184|the cancelled highway|Interstate 184 (Rhode Island)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox road
|state=ID
|type=I
|route=184
|spur_type=I
|spur_of=84
|alternate_name=Boise Connector
|map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-lat=43.612|frame-long=-116.250|zoom=12|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/Interstate 184}}}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=I-184 highlighted in red
|length_mi=3.62
|length_ref=<ref name="milepoint log">{{cite web |date=January 25, 2016 |title=Milepoint Log: Interstate 184 |url=https://apps.itd.idaho.gov/apps/milepointlog/logs/interState/I_184_MPLog.pdf |publisher=[[Idaho Transportation Department]] |accessdate=July 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Table 2: Auxiliary Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System Of Interstate and Defense Highways |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table02.cfm |work=FHWA Route Log and Finder List |publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]] |accessdate=August 13, 2022}}</ref>
|established=1968
|history=Completed in 1992
|direction_a=West
|terminus_a={{jct|state=ID|I|84|US|30}} in [[Boise, Idaho|Boise]]
|junction=
|direction_b=East
|terminus_b={{jct|state=ID|US|20|US|26}} in Boise
|counties=[[Ada County, Idaho|Ada]]
|previous_type=SH
|previous_route=167
|next_type=SH
|next_route=200
}}

'''Interstate&nbsp;184''' ('''I-184''') is a short [[auxiliary Interstate Highway]] in [[Boise, Idaho]], United States. The only auxiliary Interstate in Idaho, it is a spur route of [[Interstate 84 in Idaho|I-84]] that connects the freeway to [[Downtown Boise]], terminating at [[U.S. Route 20 in Idaho|US Highway&nbsp;20]] (US&nbsp;20) and [[U.S. Route 26 in Idaho|US&nbsp;26]] on the west side of the [[Boise River]].

The western section of the freeway, named the '''Boise Connector''', opened to traffic in December 1968. It was designated as '''I-180N''' until a renumbering of I-84 that was approved in 1979. I-184 was extended to a new interchange with US&nbsp;20 and US&nbsp;26 in 1992 as part of a new Downtown Boise connector and bridge.

==Route description==
[[File:Interstate 184 westbound from Orchard Street, Boise, ID.jpg|thumb|left|Westbound on I-184 from Orchard Street near Downtown Boise]]

I-184, also known as the Boise Connector or just the "Connector", is a short, six-lane urban freeway that travels between a junction with [[Interstate 84 in Idaho|I-84]] and the west side of [[Downtown Boise]].<ref name="ITD-2006">{{cite web |date=May 2006 |title=Interstate 184 – Idaho |url=http://www.itd.idaho.gov/50.Years/I-50_I_184.html |publisher=Idaho Transportation Department |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901075514/http://www.itd.idaho.gov/50.Years/I-50_I_184.html |archive-date=September 1, 2010 |access-date=June 21, 2018}}</ref> Its western terminus is the "Flying Wye" interchange with I-84 and [[U.S. Route 30 in Idaho|US&nbsp;30]] in southwestern Boise, which includes a braided ramp for adjacent exits on both freeways.<ref name="ITD-2006"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Wagner |first=Morgan |date=January 15, 2016 |title=Find yourself in a crash along the Flying Wye? Look for the color codes! |url=https://idahonews.com/news/local/find-yourself-in-a-crash-along-the-flying-wye-look-for-the-color-codes |publisher=[[KBOI-TV|KBOI]] |access-date=July 19, 2018}}</ref> I-184 travels northeast and crosses over a spur railroad near an interchange with Franklin Street on the south side of the [[Boise Towne Square]] shopping mall. The freeway then intersects Curtis Road near the [[Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center]] and turns due east along Fairview Avenue, which acts as a [[frontage road]]. On the west side of the [[Boise River]] in Rotary Park, I-184 terminates after an interchange with [[U.S. Route 20 in Idaho|US&nbsp;20]] and [[U.S. Route 26 in Idaho|US&nbsp;26]], which serve northwestern Boise and [[Garden City, Idaho|Garden City]] on Chinden Boulevard. US&nbsp;20 and US&nbsp;26 supersede I-184 and cross into Downtown Boise, where they split into the [[one-way pair|paired one-way]] Front and Myrtle streets.<ref name="ITD-2006"/><ref name="google">{{google maps |title=Interstate 184 |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/43.5972224,-116.2903769/43.6184322,-116.22809/@43.6079505,-116.2853639,12950m/am=t/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!4m1!3e0 |accessdate=August 26, 2021}}</ref>

I-184 is the only auxiliary Interstate Highway in Idaho and the state's shortest, at {{convert|3.62|mi|km}}.<ref name="ITD-2006"/> The highway is maintained by the [[Idaho Transportation Department]] (ITD), which conducts an annual survey of traffic on certain highway segments that is expressed in terms of [[annual average daily traffic]] (AADT), a measure of traffic volume for any average day of the year. The sole traffic recording device on I-184, tracking eastbound traffic near Cole Road, reported a daily average of 78,034&nbsp;vehicles on the highway in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 2023 |title=Automatic Counter Volumes: County #226 - Emerald |url=https://apps.itd.idaho.gov/apps/roadwaydata/counters/266/index.html |publisher=Idaho Transportation Department |access-date=February 12, 2023}}</ref> From 2015 to 2022, traffic volumes increased by 3&nbsp;percent—slower than other area roads—and congestion is typically worse near the Flying Wye interchange during the evening [[rush hour]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Teres-Martinez |first=Andrea |date=August 15, 2022 |title=These are the Boise area's 10 busiest highways. Is your commute on one of them? |url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/traffic/article264089051.html |work=The Idaho Statesman |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220816162256/https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/traffic/article264089051.html |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |accessdate=February 12, 2023}}</ref> According to the ITD, the average speed of traffic on the freeway in 2022 was {{convert|66|mph|kph}}, above the posted [[speed limit]] of {{convert|60|mph|kph}}.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 9, 2023 |title=Annual Speed Distribution for 2022: I-84 .5 mi. NE of N. Cole OP (EB) |url=https://apps.itd.idaho.gov/apps/roadwaydata/266Emerald/2022/22-annual/P266_2022_AnnualVehicleSpeedReport.pdf |publisher=Idaho Transportation Department |accessdate=February 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Harding |first=Hayley |date=May 23, 2020 |title=COVID-19 shutdowns have led to fewer people on the roads — and much higher speeds |url=https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/community/boise/article242679076.html |work=The Idaho Statesman |accessdate=February 12, 2023}}</ref>

==History==

The Boise Connector was planned in the early 1960s to connect the Boise freeway bypass to Downtown Boise and its inner neighborhoods.<ref name="IDS-1997">{{cite news |last=Wyatt |first=Liz |date=February 7, 1999 |title=Rebuilding the Wye interchange |page=15A |work=[[Idaho Statesman]]}}</ref> One version of the plan proposed a full loop bisecting Downtown Boise to carry I-80N, but it was rejected in favor of a less costly spur route.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Roads Not Taken: Boise and the Interstate Highway, 1960 |url=http://library.boisestate.edu/Special/Interstate.shtm |publisher=[[Boise State University|Boise State University Library]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523141255/http://library.boisestate.edu/Special/Interstate.shtm |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |access-date=July 22, 2018}}</ref> The westernmost section of the connector, including a sprawling wye interchange with I-80N, began construction in July 1965 and cost $9.5&nbsp;million to build.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 12, 1968 |title=Rites Mark Dedication Of Boise West Connector |page=1 |work=The Idaho Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84215391/rites-mark-dedication-of-boise-west/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=February 6, 2023}}</ref> It was opened to traffic on December 12, 1968, a year before the rest of the bypass,<ref name="ITD-2006"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Quintana |first=Craig |date=August 11, 1999 |title=Idaho delegates pressure EPA to call air clean |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118827413/idaho-delegates-pressure-epa-to-call/ 1A], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118827425/idaho-delegates-pressure-epa-to-call/ 11A] |work=The Idaho Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118827413/idaho-delegates-pressure-epa-to-call/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=February 16, 2023}}</ref> and initially terminated at Garden Street.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 27, 1965 |title=Engineering Firm Named To Design Interchanges |page=14 |work=The Idaho Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118139229/engineering-firm-named-to-design/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=February 6, 2023}}</ref>

{{Infobox road small
|state=ID
|type=I
|header_type=former
|route=180N
|established=1968
|decommissioned=1980
|location=[[Boise, Idaho|Boise]]
}}

The freeway was numbered '''Interstate&nbsp;180N''' ('''I-180N''') until October 13, 1979, when I-184 was adopted to match I-84, which was planned to succeed I-80N effective May 1, 1980.<ref>{{AASHTO minutes |year=1979A |page=1 |link=no |access-date=July 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 2, 1980 |title=Interstate 80N to change name to Interstate 84 in Idaho, Oregon |page=8C |work=The Idaho Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118139055/interstate-80n-to-change-name-to/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=February 7, 2023}}</ref> It was the only signed suffixed auxiliary Interstate Highway in the nation.<ref name="ITD-2006"/> Parts of the connector were signed as part of [[Idaho State Highway 55|State Highway&nbsp;55]] (SH-55)<ref>{{cite news |date=December 9, 1968 |title=Officials Tour Boise West Connection Prior to Rites |page=20 |work=The Idaho Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118139276/officials-tour-boise-west-connection/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=February 6, 2023}}</ref> until it was realigned onto Eagle Road in September 1990.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 18, 1990 |title=Regular Meeting of the Idaho Transportation Board, October 17–19, 1990 |page=66 |url=https://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/board/minutes/1990.pdf |publisher=Idaho Transportation Department |accessdate=February 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=LaMay |first=Colleen |date=September 18, 1990 |title=Eagle gears for traffic from new I-84 exit |page=3C |work=The Idaho Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118403484/eagle-gears-for-traffic-from-new-i-84/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=February 10, 2023}}</ref> Eastbound traffic on US&nbsp;30 was also used a section of I-180N before merging onto Main Street and Fairview Avenue.<ref>{{cite map |year=1972 |title=Boise South Quadrangle |type=Topographic map |url=https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ht-bin/tv_browse.pl?id=ef64078711fb3f333ee02581fb3461e4 |publisher=United States Geological Survey |scale=1:24,000 |accessdate=February 10, 2023}}</ref> This concurrency was eliminated in 1980, when US&nbsp;30 was relocated onto I-84.<ref>{{AASHTO minutes |year=1980S |page=514 |accessdate=February 11, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |year=1979 |title=1979 Rural Traffic Flow Map, State of Idaho |url=https://apps.itd.idaho.gov/apps/roadwaydata/RTFmaps/1979/79TrafFlow.gif |publisher=Idaho Transportation Department |accessdate=February 11, 2023}}</ref>

Construction of the Broadway–Chinden Connector, which would connect I-184 with downtown Boise, began in January 1988 and cost $60&nbsp;million to complete.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ensunsa |first=David |date=January 19, 1988 |title=Part of Garden Street to close Wednesday |page=3C |work=The Idaho Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118401059/part-of-garden-street-to-close-wednesday/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=February 10, 2023}}</ref> The new bridge across the Boise River was opened on August 7, 1992, replacing a pair of smaller bridges to the north.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 8, 1992 |title=Drivers ease on down Boise's new roadway |page=1A |work=The Idaho Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118400840/drivers-ease-on-down-boises-new-roadway/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=February 10, 2023}}</ref> The westernmost segment of I-184, including the Flying Wye interchange, was rebuilt from 1999 to 2004 to accommodate an additional set of lanes.<ref name="IDS-1997"/> The project cost $86&nbsp;million<ref>{{cite news |last=Sewell |first=Cynthia |date=December 2, 2005 |title=State to unveil landscaping options for the Wye |page=1A |work=The Idaho Statesman |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118827375/state-to-unveil-landscaping-options-for/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=February 16, 2023}}</ref> (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|86000000|2004}}}} in {{Inflation/year|index=US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|index=US-GDP}}) and was delayed approximately six months due to financial constraints and delays in bridge construction in the initial phase of the project.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kolman |first=Joe |date=June 11, 2004 |title=Flying Wye work just about done |url=https://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/NewsClipping.aspx/Preview/1621 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201002/https://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/NewsClipping.aspx/Preview/1621 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |publisher=Idaho Department of Transportation |access-date=June 19, 2021}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Exit list==
{{jcttop|exit|state=ID|county=Ada|location=Boise|length_ref=<ref name="milepoint log"/>}}
{{IDint|exit
|mile=0.00
|exit=
|road={{jct|state=ID|I|84|dir1=west|name1={{jct|state=ID|US|30|dir1=west|noshield=yes}}|city1=Nampa}}
|notes=Western terminus; I-84 exit 49
}}
{{IDint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=0.67
|exit=0
|road={{jct|state=ID|I|84|dir1=east|name1={{jct|state=ID|US|30|dir1=east|noshield=yes}}|extra=airport|city1=Mountain Home}}
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance; serves [[Boise Airport]]
}}
{{IDint|exit
|mile=1.08
|exit=1A
|road=Franklin Road
|notes=Westbound exit also signed as "Milwaukee Street"
}}
{{IDint|exit
|mile=1.33
|exit=1B
|road=Cole Road
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance<!--Entrance ramp is at Flying Wye interchange with I-84-->
|type=incomplete
}}
{{IDint|exit
|mile=2.54
|exit=2
|road=Curtis Road
|notes=Westbound exit also signed as "Fairview Avenue"
}}
{{IDint|exit
|mile=2.81
|mile2=3.09
|exit=3
|road=Fairview Avenue
|notes=Westbound access is part of exit 2
}}
{{IDint|exit
|mile=3.62
|exit=
|road={{jct|state=ID|US|20|US|26|dir2=east}}
|notes=No access to US-20/US-26 west; continuation as freeway beyond eastern terminus
|type=incomplete
}}
{{jctbtm|exit|keys=incomplete}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML|display=inline,title}}
{{commons category-inline}}


{{I-84 (east) aux}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Auxiliary Interstate Highways|84-1]]
[[Category:Interstate Highways in Idaho|84-1]]
[[Category:Interstate 84 (Oregon–Utah)|1]]
[[Category:Transportation in Ada County, Idaho]]
[[Category:Boise, Idaho]]