HAYDEN — The city of Hayden is proposing a street-widening project for a short stretch of Hayden Avenue between U.S. 95 and Government Way.

The city also is looking at extending Schmidt Street south from where it intersects Hayden Avenue, a project that would be completed prior to the widening project, said Jill Bowes, associate planner for the city.

The city hasn’t decided how far south of Hayden Avenue the street would be extended.

The city is looking to improve the roughly quarter-mile strip of Hayden Avenue, with the city’s current concept aiming to widen the road to five lanes from the current three, install curbs, gutters and sidewalks, along with pedestrian and street lighting, Bowes said.

The city is taking the project on to address issues of vehicle and pedestrian safety, she said.

It would be a complete enhancement of the much-used strip.

The city plans to spend 2010 designing the project, and 2011 on the needed right-of-way acquisition for the Schmidt Street extension. Construction likely would take place sometime after that, she said.

The city will conduct an informal public information meeting about both parts of its proposed project from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 8930 N. Government Way.

The city will have drawings on display, and city staff members involved in the project will be there to answer questions, she said.

“We want to let citizens know what the city is thinking, and get input from them about what they think,” she said. The public input will be used as the city continues to design the project.