HAYDEN, Idaho — Improvements planned for the intersection of Government Way and Honeysuckle Avenue are expected to significantly reduce traffic backups, but residents should not expect them to eliminate congestion altogether, according to a presentation Tuesday before the Hayden City Council.
City Engineer Dulci Kau, P.E., presented updated design plans and traffic modeling for one of Hayden’s busiest intersections, outlining improvements intended to increase capacity while preparing the corridor for future growth.
“It’s not a magic wand,” Kau told the council.
The proposed project includes constructing a full-length southbound right-turn lane from Honeysuckle Avenue to Commerce Drive, extending the existing southbound left-turn lane, modifying portions of the roadway and completing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pedestrian improvements.
According to traffic modeling presented during the meeting, the improvements are expected to significantly reduce southbound vehicle queues during peak travel periods. Afternoon backups on Government Way are projected to decrease from approximately 443 feet to 308 feet, allowing traffic to move through the intersection more efficiently under current conditions.
The city also evaluated projected traffic volumes through 2046. While delays are expected to increase as Hayden continues to grow, the analysis showed the proposed improvements would continue to perform substantially better than leaving the intersection unchanged.
Kau said Government Way through central Hayden has intentionally been planned as a single travel lane in each direction. As traffic volumes increase, she said longer queues should be expected unless travel patterns change or the corridor is widened in the future.
Council members asked questions about right-of-way acquisition, impacts to nearby businesses and the long-term effectiveness of the project.
City staff said limited right-of-way acquisition is anticipated, particularly near the northwest corner of the intersection, while engineers continue refining the design to minimize impacts where possible.
The project remains in the design phase. Survey work has been completed, conceptual design is expected to begin this summer, agency review is anticipated later this year and final design is currently scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
The project is expected to return to the Hayden City Council as design work progresses.