Open house to look at sticky traffic issues

Hayden residents are getting their chance to “stick it” to City Hall Wednesday – at least when it comes to planning about city streets and other transportation concerns.

The city is holding an open house so people can comment on the town’s transportation needs. Using sticky notes, residents will mark street problems, bad intersections and areas of concern on large city maps. The city will use this information in formulating a strategic transportation plan, which will work as a road map so streets can keep up with Hayden’s skyrocketing growth.

“We want property owners, business owners and residents to come in and talk about their concerns and issues,” Community Development Director Lisa Key said.

The open house kicks off the development of Hayden’s Strategic Transportation Plan. The city in partnership with the Idaho Transportation Department is consulting with David Evans and Associates to develop the $198,000 study that likely will be complete by October. Key said residents will get at least four chances to comment during the process.

“Transportation is the backbone of the community,” Key said.

Hayden’s network of city streets hasn’t kept pace with city’s population, which has tripled to nearly 12,000 people since 1990.

“Hayden is at a critical juncture in its growth and development as a community,” Mayor Ron McIntire said.

One of Hayden’s largest challenges is the fact that U.S. Highway 95, the state’s main north-south route, bisects the city. There are only three main intersections along Highway 95 to allow traffic to move east and west.

That’s why Hayden is working with ITD to find a solution.

Once traffic is able to move more efficiently to the east and west, it will help take some of the local traffic off Highway 95, Key said.

Next summer work will start on upgrades to Government Way, the main north-south street that runs through Hayden’s city center.

Crews will add a lane to make turning easier and put in sidewalks, curbs and lighting.

Yet as Hayden grows, the city needs a plan to make sure all the streets work together.

The plan also will help Hayden craft new street standards to ensure all new streets can handle the traffic.

Because maintenance is a large component of streets, the plan will help city staff develop a capital improvement program to map how the city can keep up with maintenance along with identifying funding sources.

The study also will consider how to integrate bike paths and pedestrian trails and ensure they connect with trails in neighboring towns such as Hayden Lake, Dalton Gardens and Coeur d’Alene.