City engineers and staff presented an update on Hayden’s transportation capital-improvement plan on Oct. 14, outlining several intersection projects, estimated construction costs and the right-of-way process that could delay or raise project costs.

City Engineer Dulce (last name not specified in transcript) described projects in design or planned for construction including: a roundabout at Ramsey Road and Honeysuckle Avenue (2025 construction estimate ~ $3 million), potential signalized or roundabout control at Hayden Avenue and Hutter Road (estimate pending design), a roundabout at Ramsey Road and Hayden Avenue (approx. $3.4 million), and temporary span-wire control followed by a permanent roundabout at Hayden Avenue and Atlas Road. A new signal and turn lanes at Government Way were also described with a preliminary construction estimate of about $1.5 million. Staff noted these estimates represent construction costs only and exclude design, legal, right-of-way and administrative costs.

Staff emphasized right-of-way acquisition as a major schedule and cost risk. Dulce said three of four corners for one intersection had right-of-way acquired but one corner remained outstanding. Staff explained the practice of procuring appraisals and negotiating with property owners; appraisals in 2025 dollars were said to cost roughly $3,500 each and are valid for six months, requiring filing for access or reappraisal if negotiations stall. “One way for the city to protect the asset of an appraisal is to file for access,” staff said; filing deposits appraisal value with the court and allows the city to continue negotiations while proceeding with construction access under court process.

Council members asked about timing and public engagement. Staff said most listed projects had prior public outreach as part of the transportation master plan and noted an open house for the Hayden Avenue and Hutter Road project was tentatively set for Oct. 29 to gather community input on the choice between a roundabout and a signal.

Staff also noted that developer contributions and impact fees will reduce the city’s net share on some projects. Councilors asked about minimizing repeated appraisals and whether the city could change its right-of-way approach to keep projects moving; staff said earlier-stage public outreach and design milestones (60–70% design before formal property offers) are standard practice to reduce surprise and to define the property footprint for appraisal.

Quotes in this article are drawn from the council transcript of Oct. 14.