HAYDEN — Tuesday’s ceremonial ribbon cutting on Ramsey Road, just south of the new roundabout on Lancaster Road, was a long time coming.  

Fifteen years, to be exact.  

Starting Oct. 6, drivers will be able to travel as far north as Lancaster on Ramsey Road — but the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization first identified the need for the expansion of Ramsey starting at Wyoming Avenue in 2010. 

Obtaining rights of way through parcels of private property made for a “lengthy process,” city administrator Lisa Ailport said, in addition to several budgetary increases that were made to meet project parameters. Ground was finally broken on the construction portion of the project in February.

Even so, the total project cost ultimately came in under the $14 million budget, meaning some money is left over to invest into additional transportation projects, Ailport said.  

The expansion was primarily funded by the Federal Highway Administration.

City officials and representatives from HMH Engineering couldn't help but cheer and applaud as Public Works Director Alan Soderling cut the red ribbon strewn across Ramsey — a symbolic ushering in of a new era in Hayden. 

Council President Matt Roetter said the expansion was done to create a transportation corridor running parallel to U.S. 95, adding that meeting the area’s growing transportation needs is “the highest priority for the city of Hayden.” 

“This work has (also) created infill driver for the city of Hayden,” Ailport later said. 

Project engineer Logan Ledgerwood credited “all team members,” from subcontractors to city representatives, for the project’s completion.  

“There never seemed to be a moment where we couldn't get answers or couldn't fix a problem,” Ledgerwood said. “The group effort was outstanding.”