HAYDEN, Idaho — The Hayden City Council will consider a $57,300 engineering contract amendment Tuesday, Oct. 13, for the planned roundabout at Hayden Avenue and Atlas Road. The proposal includes design changes, additional sewer infrastructure and preparation of construction bidding documents.
The amendment, listed on the council’s Consent Calendar, would increase the city’s engineering agreement with Welch Comer & Associates from $203,900 to $261,200.
According to the agenda materials, the original agreement totaled $172,000, with a previous amendment adding $31,900. The proposed second amendment would bring the cumulative increase to $89,200, approximately 52% above the original agreement.
The additional costs cover expanded engineering and design services. They do not represent the cost of constructing the roundabout.
Roundabout Design Changes
The City of Hayden’s Public Works website identifies the roundabout design as finalized, with right-of-way acquisition negotiations underway. The proposed amendment would modify that design before the project is advertised for construction bids.
One proposed change eliminates the eastbound slip lane at the southwest corner of the intersection, which would have allowed drivers to turn right onto Atlas Road without entering the roundabout.
The revised design will require adjustments to stormwater calculations and infiltration swales in that area.
Welch Comer will also update the plans to reflect current traffic control standards, including signage and delineators. The scope calls for reviewing whether a planned rectangular rapid-flashing beacon, a pedestrian crossing warning device, should remain in the design.
Other changes involve irrigation infrastructure, water utility details and the relocation of a fire hydrant in coordination with the Hayden Lake Irrigation District.
The amended scope also includes updates to right-of-way documents and legal descriptions that may affect one or two properties near the southwest corner of the intersection.
Sewer Infrastructure Added for Future Development
The amendment incorporates the design of gravity sewer infrastructure within the roundabout project.
According to the city’s agenda memorandum, the sewer improvements are intended to prepare the area for future development.
The engineering scope includes an east-west sewer line extending through the roundabout construction area, with provisions for future connections farther east.
An additional sewer extension of approximately 270 feet south along Atlas Road is planned to serve the property at 9551 N. Atlas Road. The design includes a capped sewer connection at the new right-of-way boundary.
The sewer improvements will require additional surveying and review by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality unless the plans are approved through an alternative process available to the city.
The agenda memorandum identifies the capital projects fund as the funding source for the intersection improvements and the sewer fund for the sewer-related portions.
It does not provide a separate dollar amount for the sewer design work or a construction cost estimate for the proposed improvements.
Engineering Costs and Project Schedule
The $57,300 amendment includes the following services:
Engineering services | Amount |
|---|---|
Project coordination and management | $3,900 |
Revised plans and bidding documents | $42,000 |
Right-of-way exhibits and legal descriptions | $2,000 |
Utility coordination and staking | $9,400 |
Total | $57,300 |
The amended scope anticipates private utility relocation work during fall and winter 2026-27, with most relocation expected to be completed before construction begins in spring 2027.
Welch Comer’s schedule calls for sewer surveying to be completed by Nov. 15, 2026, and sewer design to be ready for regulatory submission by Dec. 15, 2026.
The engineering firm anticipates receiving regulatory approval around Feb. 15, 2027, allowing the city to advertise the project for construction bids in late winter or early spring.
The proposed amendment also extends the engineering contract through April 30, 2027.
Additional engineering services associated with bidding and construction will be scoped separately after the city approves the project for bidding.
The agenda materials do not establish a construction contract amount, a confirmed construction start date or an anticipated date for completion of the roundabout.
Council Action Scheduled for Oct. 13
Public Works Director Alan Soderling recommends that the City Council authorize Amendment No. 2 to the Welch Comer agreement.
The proposal appears on the Consent Calendar, which allows multiple routine agenda items to be approved together without individual discussion unless an item is removed for separate consideration.
If approved, the amendment would authorize the expanded engineering services and raise the total agreement to $261,200.
The council’s consideration of the amendment does not constitute approval of a construction contract.