Change is coming to Hayden Avenue

HAYDEN — Motorists and pedestrians can look forward to a safer stretch of Hayden Avenue beginning next summer, said city public works director Alan Soderling on Wednesday night. He and city engineer Rob Wright answered questions by local businessmen and residents about the city’s wide-reaching project to transform Hayden Avenue from U.S. 95 to Government Way.

The work will begin in late May or early June and continue through September, Soderling said. Funds for the approximately $900,000 project will come mainly from the urban renewal district, with the city contributing the purchase of the right of way, he said. No local improvement districts will be used to pay for the project.

Currently, this stretch of Hayden Avenue “is a sea of asphalt,” Wright said. The project will improve safety there by defining the road, putting in approaches to properties, and minimizing the number of conflicts between commuters. “It makes it safer for everybody,” he said.

“Welcome to Hayden” signs will go up at the highway intersection, and the entire stretch of Hayden Avenue will be repaved, Soderling said. Pedestrians will have a place to walk, Wright noted, with sidewalks stretching the entire length of the road segment on both the north and south sides of the road. A curb island will be installed at the intersection of U.S. 95 and Hayden Avenue to improve safety between the left-turn lane and the eastbound lane on Hayden Avenue.

Wright said the project will also create a bike lane on the south side of the road, with cyclists on the north side sharing the road with vehicles. Fifteen trees will be planted along the roadway, and added drainage will expedite the removal of water from the road, Soderling said.

Soderling said the city hoped to bid out the project in January, award the contract, and then wait for better weather. In the meantime, he hoped that local utility companies could relocate their utility poles. They’ll move their poles about 6 feet, according to the draft plans.

For questions or comments on the project, call City Hall at 208-772-4411.