Be careful out there...

Halloween is always a dangerous night for for the trick-or-treaters who are out walking the streets. But, this Halloween could be more dangerous for those children because it falls on a Friday night, which adds to the potential for encounters with drunken drivers. If you are planning to take the children out on a traditional trick-or-treating adventure. Please take extra care to make sure your trick-or-treaters are visible. The police will be out in force and participating in the festivities. Check out the Spokesman review story below:


Extra police presence planned for tonight

SPOKANE -- Law enforcement agencies in Spokane County will be out in force tonight to help keep trick-or-treaters safe.

A program called Bringing Area Trick-or-Treaters Safety puts Spokane police, county deputies and state troopers in neighborhoods to make sure motorists obey traffic laws, especially when pedestrians are present, said Spokane County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Dave Reagan.

Police also will hand out candy, glow sticks, necklaces and bracelets. Trick-or-treaters will be invited to sit in patrol cars. There's a chance those patrol cars will be needed as shelter: The National Weather Service said there's a 20 percent likelihood of rain tonight.

Otherwise, the weather should be appropriate for the holiday. Dark, cloudy skies and a breeze to toss fallen leaves just enough so they'll sound like scuffling shoes.

Some Updates From The City

Here's a roundup of updates from the City of Spokane:

• Division St. from Main Ave. to Spokane Falls Blvd. will be reduced by one lane through Friday, Oct. 31 for water work.

• Washington St. near Pacific Ave. will be reduced by two lanes on Monday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for water service installation.

• Five Mile Rd. near Stratton will be reduced to one lane on Monday, Nov. 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Crews will be repairing a water main.

• Monroe St. just north of its intersection with Indiana Ave. will have one lane closed on Wednesday, Nov. 5, so crews can repair a water valve.

• Aubrey L. White Pkwy. from Downriver Dr. to the Water Treatment Plant will be closed to traffic through Friday, Nov. 7 so crews can work on the combined sewer outfall located there.

• SR902, near W. Geiger Blvd. in Airway Heights, will have lane closures and obstructions while crews work on the Fairchild Water Transmission Main. Flaggers will be in place.

• Madison St. near its intersection with First Ave. will be reduced by two traffic lanes for the next week. The closure is needed for utility work.

Pictures From the SmartRoutes Rally

I know, the SmartRoutes Community Rally was over a week ago, but here are some pictures I just got from the folks over at the County's Commute Trip Reduction program. Thanks again everyone for your help making this a great event!

Safe Routes To School Summit Reminder

This is your reminder to register for the second annual Washington Safe Routes to School Summit if you haven't already. It's Nov. 14 here in Spokane.

Only one out of every 8 children walks to school anymore. Most ride the bus or get a ride. This is leading to less active children, less connected neighbors, and lower air quality. Don't miss this opportunity for parents, educators, administrators, law enforcement, and others to be part of the solution.

Learn from experts in the field from all across the Northwest about:
Getting your program off the ground, innovations and success stories from around the state, mobilizing parents and administration, and sustaining programs.

Click here to register.

Possible Insurance Savings When You Use Alternate Commute

I bumped into a former co-worker today on the bus. He said that his insurance company knocked $20 a month off his auto policy because he rides the bus! It doesn't work with every insurance company (I called mine and they go by how many miles you put on your car each year. Even riding the bus, I still make several trips across the state, putting me over the required mileage mark)but it could be worth the five minutes it takes to call your agent.

Ask The WSDOT

Have a question for the Washington State Department of Transportation? A lot of other people do too. And the WSDOT is answering some of them on their blog. Today's question: what kind of liquid deicer should citizens buy to use on their private driveways? The answer?
Click here to see.

Part Of Couplet Returning To Two-Way

A compromise was struck at last night's Spokane Valley council meeting on a proposal to restore two-way traffic on Sprague Avenue.

Two-way traffic will be restored only between Dishman-Mica and University roads under a “hybrid” approach adopted by the council. Two-way traffic will be introduced to Appleway Boulevard in the same section.

Here's are the details. Read the story, then let us know what you think of this change.

Don't Forget Your Bike

The other day, I was leaving the STA Plaza, when I noticed a STA Maintenance Truck leaving the loading zone full of bikes. There were probably at least a dozen bikes, maybe up to 20. I asked Mark Curtis, the Customer Service/Plaza Manager for STA about the bikes and he said they had all been left behind either on buses, at park and rides facilities, or at the Plaza. They will be taken to the Police Department for auction.

So, the moral of the story is don't leave your bike behind, or you may have to buy it back.

First Ave. Closures

Tomorrow morning, First Ave. from Adams St. to Monroe St. will be closed to traffic from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, First Ave. from Jefferson St. to Monroe St. will be closed to traffic from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The news release says the closure is needed for filming. It doesn't say what kind of closure but I'm going to take a guess and say filming of a movie.

Roundup For the Week of October 27

Local schools ask apply for grants to keep students safe on their way to school, and the WSDOT asks for your help naming a pedestrian and bike path being built in conjunction with the North Spokane Corridor. Here's what's happening this week from the Spokesman's 'Getting There' column.

Letter Writer Asks Opponents To Let Work Get Done

Spokesman-Review Letters to the editor
North-south road projects urgent

When I moved to Spokane almost 30 years ago there was a big debate going on over a north-south freeway. Some people fought it tooth and toenail, so the project was postponed – and postponed – and postponed, and with each postponement the cost went up until now the cost is astronomical. Now I think I see the same thing happening with the Bigelow Gulch project.

I have to drive that route several times a week, year-round, and I have seen the traffic getting heavier and heavier. Sooner or later the project is going to have to be done, and later it is going to cost far more than it would now, so those who are fighting it are only costing all of us, first of all for lawyers to defend the project and secondly for higher cost of construction.

Sure, it will probably help change the complexion of the community of Orchard Prairie, but that is going to happen anyway as the whole area around Spokane continues to grow, so come on, folks, get out of the way and let this needed work get done as soon as possible.

Claire Boulton
Spokane Valley

What do you think about the Bigelow Gulch expansion? Is it much-needed, or a good way to ruin a community?

Eyman Proposal Would Send $ To Seattle, & Spokane Considers Scrapping Photored

Opponents of Tim Eyman's latest proposal say Initiative 985 would take money away from Eastern Washington and give it to metropolitan Seattle. In response, the City of Spokane is considering scrapping their Photored cameras.

985 would divert 15% of all state sales taxes generated through vehicle sales, and from traffic tickets issued through camera enforcement programs,including Spokane's photored cameras, into a state fund that would pay for measures to alleviate traffic congestion. A new study says most of that money would be spent in King County though. Here's the breakdown on where the money would go.

If the initiative passes, Spokane officials say they may dump the photored cameras, rather than lose money. Here's that story.

What's your opinion of I-985?

Updates From The City of Spokane

• The intersection of Sprague Ave. and Freya St. will be reduced by one lane through Wednesday, Oct. 29. Additionally, the sidewalks will be closed to pedestrians.

• Division St. from Main Ave. to Spokane Falls Blvd. will be reduced by one lane from Monday, Oct. 27, through Friday, Oct. 31 for water work.

• 10th Ave. from Rockwood Blvd. to Sherman St. will be completely closed to traffic from Monday, Oct. 27 through Thursday, Oct. 30 to install jersey barriers.

• The intersection of Ash St. and Northwest Blvd. will have lane closures while crews work on utilities. Work starts Monday, Oct. 27, and may take three days to complete.

• Beginning Monday, Oct. 27, Aubrey L. White Pkwy., from Downriver Dr. to the Water Treatment Plant, will be closed to traffic for up to two weeks so crews can work on the Combined Sewer Overflow.

• Madison St. near its intersection with First Ave. will be reduced by two traffic lanes for the next two weeks for utility work.

Weather Delays Completion Of Projects

This morning’s freezing temperatures have delayed three road projects in north Spokane County. Work on these projects began on Tuesday, October 21 and were scheduled for completion later today. However, the cold temperatures have resulted in a one-day delay and traffic will continue to be affected through Friday, October 24th.

• Bigelow Gulch Road from Lehman to Forker will be closed from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily for maintenance and repair work.

• Forker Road from Progress to Bigelow Gulch will be closed daily from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. for maintenance and repair work.

• The intersection at Progress and Forker will be closed daily from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. to rebuild the intersection.

This Is Your Chance To Talk To A City Councilman Live!

The next edition of “Council Connection,” the cable television program featuring Spokane City Council members as hosts, will be shown live tonight, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. on CityCable 5.

Council Member Richard Rush will host the program, titled “Smart Routes: Creating a First-Class Walking and Biking Community.”

Guests will be Dr. Bob Lutz, Chair of the Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board; Cindy Green, Program Manager for the Spokane Regional Health District; Barb Chamberlain, Chair of Bike to Work Week; and Ross Kelley, of HDR Engineering and a Smart Routes Committee member.

Council Member Rush will accept calls from viewers during the program at625-6337.The program is shown live on the taping date and is then repeated for about a month until the next program is produced. CityCable 5 is found on channel 5 on the Comcast cable system in Spokane.

Gas Hits $2.89 in Liberty Lake!

Gas at the new Cenex station in Liberty Lake is now at $2.89 a gallon for unleaded! I tried to take a picture as proof, but since I was driving at the time, ended up with a picture of my passenger side mirror instead. You'll just have to take my word for it.

Changes Recommended For STA Plaza

STA's governing board is recommending that the Plaza in downtown Spokane remain a bus facility. In the past year, there had been talk of selling the building and moving buses somewhere else. Under the plan, the Plaza would have a new look though.
Here are the details.

Spokesman Editorial Encourages SmartRoutes Support

Our diabolical plan is working. People are starting to talk about SmartRoutes and spread the word about the plan, which would help to build non-motorized transportation facilities in our area.Here's an editorial that ran in the Spokesman today.

Tell City Council Transportation Is Important To You

The Spokane City Council wants to hear from you! The Council has developed an on-line survey to find out what's important to people who live and work in the City of Spokane. The information will be used to help develop a work plan for 2009. Take the survey and be sure to mention that money for transportation projects is a priority.

SmartRoutes Rally Media Coverage

Here's a piece KHQ News shot on the SmartRoutes plan at yesterday's rally.

Take A Virtual Tour Of Snoqualmie Pass Project

If you've driven over Snoqualmie Pass recently, you've probably noticed that some changes are in the works. WSDOT will improve five miles of I-90 between Hyak and Keechelus Dam, including adding an additional lane in each direction, extending chain on and off areas, expanding the snowshed, building new bridges, reducing sharp curves, repairing deteriorated pavement, stabilizing unstable slopes, installing avalanche fences, and connecting wildlife habitats over and under the highway.

You can take a virtual tour by going to the WSDOT website and clicking on the picture on the right hand side.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

A huge THANK YOU to all the people who helped organize and staff today's SmartRoutes Community Rally, and all the people who showed up and gave us positive feedback. We had a tremendous turnout, more than we could have hoped for!

I'll be getting pictures posted as soon as I get them back from our 'Official SmartRoutes Photographer' Tony Snow.

Traffic Congestion & Delays For Tuesday & Wednesday

- Starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow and Wednesday, until as late as 3 p.m., crews will be working on the pedestrian bridge crossing eastbound I-90 near the Altamont and Thor/Freya Interchanges. Eastbound freeway traffic will be reduced to two through lanes. The eastbound Altamont on-ramp will be closed during this work. Eastbound drivers should expect lane restrictions and possible slower traffic.

- On Tuesday, beginning at 9 a.m. for about two hours, the westbound Thor/Freya on-ramp and the westbound Altamont off-ramp will be closed for replacement of damaged illumination equipment.

- On Wednesday, drivers should expect lane restrictions on the westbound Lincoln Street off-ramp as crews repair the pavement. The ramp will remain open as crews work on one lane at a time.

Transportation Roundup For The Week Of Oct. 20

Just in time for National School Bus Safety Week, the federal government has issued new regulations to increase the safety of children in school buses. Here's what's happening this week from the Spokesman's 'Getting There' column.

Bigelow, Forker, and Progress to Close

Beginning tomorrow (Tuesday), Bigelow Gulch Road and Forker will be closed for maintenance work until Thursday. In addition, Progress Road at Forker will be closed during the same period to rebuild the intersection.

Bigelow Gulch and Forker are highly traveled roads and signs have been posted informing motorists of the closures.

SmartRoutes Community Rally Day

Today is the day, the SmartRoutes Public Rally is today from noon- 1 p.m. at the STA Plaza in downtown Spokane. The SmartRoutes initiative is an application and case statement for up to $50 million in grant money for much-needed non-motorized transportation projects in our area.

Fore more info, take a look at the SmartRoutes website, then pass the word on to your friends. If we can show Congress that the whole community is behind this effort, we've got a better chance of getting the money needed for active transportation. And stop by the Plaza this afternoon if you can.

Updates From The City of Spokane

- The Broadway realignment project is substantially complete. The project realigned the Broadway Ave. connection to Freya St. to one block south to Alki Ave. Detail work is still being completed, so drivers should be prepared for minor delays for a couple more weeks. The $2.1 million project was funded with money from federal sources and City funds.

- The intersection at Sprague Ave. and Freya St. will be reduced by one lane through Wednesday, Oct. 29.

- Northwest Blvd. from Maple to Ash streets will be reduced by one lane until Sunday, Oct. 19. The closure is needed to repair concrete panels that did not meet the City’s construction standards.

- SR902, near W. Gieger Blvd. in Airway Heights, will have lane closures and obstructions while crews work on the Fairchild Water Transmission Main. Flaggers will be in place.

The following projects were completed by the City in 2008:

· Maple and Ash Streets from Broadway Avenue to Northwest Boulevard
· Hatch road from 54th to 43rd avenues
· Driscoll Blvd. from Alberta to Assembly streets
· Wall St. from Wellesely to Francis avenues
· Spokane Falls Blvd. from Washington to Browne streets
· Belt St. Residential project
· Third Ave. residential project

New Report Shows Economic Impact Roads Can Have

A new report just released by the Washington State Department of Transportation shows just how important road maintenance and operations are to the state’s economy.

The report documents more than $75 million in freight-related economic impact related to the closures of Interstate 5 and Interstate 90 last winter, due to severe weather. Here's a link to the full report.

I90 Lane Reductions

This Saturday, October 18th, from 9:00 p.m. until as late as 11:00 a.m. the next morning, eastbound traffic on I-90 will be reduced to one lane to accomodate crews doing repairs to a pedestrian bridge that was hit by a truck. Drivers should expect slow traffic and congestion. In addition, the eastbound Altamont on-ramp will be closed.

Take The Second Pedestrian Plan Survey PLEASE!

Spokane Regional Health District, Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC), the City of Spokane, and the Regional Pedestrian Plan Committee are developing a Regional Pedestrian Plan that addresses the need for projects and policies that promote walking in our community.

Feedback from everyday people who use current pedestrian facilities is critical in developing the details of the Plan. And the most effective way to get that feedback is through a series of surveys.

In June, the public was asked to take a survey to help identify issues that are barriers to walking. Now a follow-up survey will help determine solutions to those barriers.

Please give us your input and take the survey by Oct. 31. Your input is appreciated regardless of the amount of walking you do.

Northwest Blvd. Delays

Northwest Blvd. from Maple St. to Ash St. is reduced to one westbound lane to repair concrete panels. The street is expected to reopen by Sunday, Oct. 19. Until then, drivers should expect delays.

Airport Entrance Configuration Changing

A warning if you're driving to the airport Thursday or Friday; things are going to look a little different at the entrance. Starting tomorrow, entrance lanes will be reconfigured to have three lanes all the way to the terminals, and all three lanes will go in front of Terminal C, instead of veering around it to Terminal A. This transition is the first step in a project to seperate taxis and shuttle buses from private cars.

City Advertises For Bike/Ped Coordinator

A lot of people have been talking about it, and now the City of Spokane has just posted a job opening for a Bike/Pedestrian Coordinator. Here's the job description in case you're interested. This is a big deal because it will make it easier to get grants for non-motorized transportation projects.

Driver Calls For Enforcement For Careless Bicyclists

Spokesman-Review Letters to the editor
Bicycling laws beg enforcement

As a person who spends between four and six hours daily driving the streets of downtown Spokane, I'm pleading with our police chief to help me and the other drivers of this city deal with the ever-increasing bicyclists we face daily. It is rare that a day goes by that I don't encounter a bicyclist ignoring traffic signals, cutting through lanes without signaling, and even driving the wrong way against traffic.

It is my understanding that bicyclists have the duty to obey the traffic laws just as those of us in cars or trucks. I know the law states that if a bicycle is ridden in the roadway they are subject to all the duties that other vehicles are and are granted the same rights as the other vehicles (RCW 46.61.755). If they choose to ride on sidewalks they become equal to a pedestrian in their rights and responsibilities.

With increasing bicycle traffic due to higher fuel prices, can we drivers get some help from the local authorities by encouraging them to enforce the laws so we don't have to place ourselves in jeopardy in dealing with the bicyclists who choose to break the law?

Ray Moss
Spokane

We had this discussion around here last week; as a result of high gas prices and more people taking to the roads on bikes, a lot of us have recently seen bicyclists riding against the flow of traffic, darting out of nowhere, and fewer riders wearing helmets.

New SmartRoutes Website Up & Running

T-minus six days until the SmartRoutes Community Rally at the Spokane Transit Plaza in downtown Spokane. The SmartRoutes initiative is an application and case statement for up to $50 million in grant money for much-needed non-motorized transportation projects in our area.

Fore more info, take a look at the new SmartRoutes website, then pass the word on to your friends. If we can show Congress that the whole community is behind this effort, we've got a better chance of getting the money needed for active transportation.

Safe Routes To School Summit Coming To Spokane

The Second Annual Washington Safe Routes to School Summit is coming up in November, so get yourself registered.

Today, most children take the bus or are driven to school. Only 1 out of every 8 children gets to school on their own two feet. This is taking a toll on our communities - children are less active, neighbors are less connected, and air quality is lower than ever.

The summit is Nov. 13 in Spokane. There will be experts from all across the Northwest on: Getting your program off the ground, innovations and success stories from around the state, mobilizing parents and administration, and sustaining programs. Here's where to register.

Warning For Drivers Returning From The West Side

Today through Thursday (Oct 14-16) beginning at 7:30 a.m. until as late as 3:30 p.m., WSDOT crews will be working on the bridge crossing Eastbound Interstate 90 at the Schoessler Road Interchange, at Ritsville. Eastbound freeway traffic will be directed around the work using the off ramp and on ramp. Drivers can expect lane restrictions and possible slower traffic.

WSDOT crews will be repairing damage to the bridge from truck hits.

Group Sues Over Bigelow Gulch Widening

A group of neighbors is suing to keep Bigelow Gulch from being expanded to a four- or five-lane road. Here's the story from the Spokesman-Review.

What's your opinion on this story? Keep the area like it is and maintain the rural 'feel' or expand the road and provide needed capacity to get people and goods from the north side to the Valley and vice versa?

At Least the Bigwigs Are Doing Their Part For Safety

University of Idaho Interim President Steven Daley-Laursen, right, and Moscow Mayor Nancy Cheney, second to left, help pedestrians cross the Moscow-Pullman Highway on Wednesday. Two students have been injured after being struck by vehicles while crossing the dangerous crosswalk, including one from Coeur d'Alene. Picture courtesy of the Spokesman's 'Huckleberries' blog.


What's been your experience with the Moscow-Pullman Highway?

Monday Isn't Only A Holiday, It's A Parking Meter Holiday

Parking meters don’t have to be plugged on Monday, Oct. 13, because of the Columbus Day holiday. City of Spokane offices are open as usual though, as are County offices.

Garbage pickup and curbside recycling will proceed on a normal schedule as well.

Project Updates From the City of Spokane

- The Broadway Realignment project is nearing completion. The project will realign the Broadway Ave. connection to Freya St., moving the connection one block south to Alki Ave.

Alki Way and the intersection of Alki Way at Freya St. is now open. This new intersection provides the connection to Broadway Ave. east of Freya St. The old connection at Springfield Ave. is closed except for right turn access to local businesses.

- The Hatch road project from 54th to 43rd avenues is expected to reopen by Wednesday, Oct. 15. The project rehabilitated Hatch Rd. from 54th to 43rd avenues.

- The Driscoll Boulevard project will reopen by Monday, Oct. 13.
This project rehabilitated Driscoll Blvd. from Alberta to Assembly streets. Wellesley Ave. has reopened to traffic.

As If Slow Traffic Weren't Bad Enough

Stolen from the Spokesman's 'Huckleberries' blog.

It's Officially Winter In The Mountains

Two weeks ago there was a snowstorm on Snoqualmie Pass. This week there was a snowstorm on Snoqualmie Pass. From this pattern, I deduced that winter is definetely here in the mountains. Then the WSDOT confirmed it with this post on their blog. &^%$#, I'm not ready for this!

State Agencies Make Shift To 4-Day Work Week

Four day work weeks have started for the state Department of Community Trade and Economic Development. Olympia headquarters are now closed on Fridays as part of the shift to a four-day workweek that affects about 300 workers.

Here's the story from the Seattle PI.

Gas Prices Still Falling

Gas prices continue to drop- to as low as $2.99 in Coeur d'Alene! At some stations, prices are dropping by an average of ten cents a day.

Spokane drivers are still paying more though... around $3.50 a gallon average because of Washington's higher gas tax. Here's what's driving the dramatic drop in prices.

Help Name The Trail!

The Washington State Department of Transportation is asking you to help name the pedestrian-bike path that will be part of the North Spokane Corridor (NSC).

The 10.5 mile trail will parallel the new highway and run from the Wandermere vicinity to I-90. It will connect with existing trails such as the Centennial Trail and Ben Burr Trail as well as link neighborhoods along the way. The first segment of the trail will open next year from Farwell to Freya Road. A committee of citizens and civic leaders will review the submitted names and choose the winner.

To submit a suggestion for the trail name, go to thenorth Spokane Corridor website .

Gas Prices Are Falling!

Gas is at $3.09 this morning in Coeur d'Alene, and one blogger on the Spokesman's 'Huckleberries' blog reported seeing it at $3.06 at the Albertson's on Ironwood!

Straight From The Source

Spokesman-Review Letters to the editor
Cameras for unlawful drivers

Re: "Photo Red makes signal worse," Sept. 30:

The most common question posed about Photo Red is, "Will I get a ticket if I'm already in the intersection when the light turns red?" If you are there prior to the red light, you will not.

This program is for blatant red-light runners who cross the painted stop line after the light has gone red and cause collisions at our worst intersections. The first photo is as the front tires of the car contact the stop line. At the top of that photo, listed with statistics such as date and time, will be "r-time": how long the light had been red when it was taken. The second photo is of the car all the way through the intersection.

There are many people that drive through the intersection of Mission and Hamilton every day. I am aware turning left there during rush hour is difficult. The program is designed to catch red-light runners, not to affect drivers making legitimate movements through intersections.

This public safety program is solely violator-funded. As long as you don't run red lights, it will cost you nothing. I fully expect it will improve safety for the general driving public in our city.

Teresa Fuller
Photo Red officer, Spokane Police Department

Hide Valuables When Visiting Area Parks

If you live in the Manito Park area or use the park for recreation, be extra careful about locking up your car and hiding your valuables in the trunk. There has been a recent rash of thefts and vehicle vandalism in parking lots there. Thieves are breaking windows to get into locked cars, in broad daylight!

In the past two months more than three dozen vehicles in Manito Park have been broken into.

Ever wonder how our region plans for the future? Check this out...

If you've ever wondered how the transportation planning process works, your chance to find out is coming up. Tomorrow, Staci Lehman will host a 'Planning Assumptions' meeting. It's a chance to sit down with members of the public and staff from other agencies to give a power point presentation on how we go about planning. The presentation explains how SRTC is staffed and funded, how we decide which studies and projects to undertake, how we use 'modeling' to predict the amount of cars that will be on the road in the future and which projects should be constructed to accommodate them, and how air quality plays into the whole process.

In addition to talking about planning for the future, the meeting will also provide the public a chance to look at and comment on the updated Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The meeting will be at SRTC, 221 W. First, Suite 310 at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7. The meeting goes until 6, but you're not required to stay the whole time

Planes, trains and automobiles: Are you planning a trip to the Emerald City?

The Spokesman Review analyzed the cost of travel to Seattle using three different modes of travel (four if you consider the difference between a hybrid and a gas fueled automobile). They looked at planes, trains and automobiles. The published results are in a table format here. So, I calculated what it would cost to drive my Blazer to Seattle using the same 578-mile standard the SR used and came up with a trip cost of $97.25. But I live in Post Falls, so I used $3.19 a gallon instead of the $3.65 the SR used. Using the SR's gas price, my trip would cost $111.32, but the reality is probably somewhere in between. How much would it cost to drive your car to Seattle? For those who are story-problem challenged, just divide 578 by the miles per gallon your car consumes and multiply that answer by the price per gallon you pay.

New poll shows tremendous support for light rail in Spokane

Apparently WSU conducted a new scientific poll in Spokane to gauge support for construction of a new light rail system. The results are somewhat surprising. Check them out here. If a light rail was built between downtown Spokane and Liberty Lake, how often would you use it? My answer: I would use it to commute on the days that I don't need my car. Whenever I am in a large city, I use the light rail system. I am especially fond of the Metro in Washington DC. It's easy to use and much faster than taking a cab in most cases.

Another question: Do you have a favorite light rail system?

Mark Your Calendars

Some Friday Morning Obstructions & One Road Opening

- Nevada St. near its intersection with Hawthorne Rd. will be reduced to one southbound lane from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 3. Qwest crews will be working on utilities.

- Beginning at 7 a.m. on Oct. 3, Nevada St. from St. Thomas Moore Way to Hawthorne Rd. will be reduced by one lane. A contractor will be replacing old drainage swales. They expect to have the swale project completed by the end of the month. Traffic will be restored at that time.

- Hatch Rd. from 57th Ave. to the Palouse Hwy. is set to reopen to traffic tomorrow morning, Oct. 3. The sewer has been placed and the road is being paved today.

Think They'd Wash It For Me Too?

FREE CAR CARE FAIR!
On Saturday, October 4th, between the hours of 9:am and 3:pm, stop by Spokane Community College at Greene and Mission for a FREE vehicle inspection by automotive specialists and for free snacks and beverages.

Why: October is Car Care month

What: Automotive specialists will provide a FREE vehicle inspection of air filters, belts, hoses, light, vital fluids, tire pressure and wear and wiper blades.

Where: Spokane Community College located at Greene and Mission in the automotive building parking lot.

When: Saturday, October 4th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sponsored by: Community Colleges of Spokane, Motion Auto, Federated Auto Parts, Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency and Spokane Community Colleges of Spokane

Hybrids Can Be 'Silent Killers' Of Visually Impaired People

Apparently, hybrid cars aren't as good for everyone as we thought. Because they can be nearly silent, hybrids pose a serious threat of injury and death to blind and visually impaired people, says the American Council of the Blind. Here's the story.

Learn How The Planning Process Works

If you've ever wondered how the transportation planning process works, your chance to find out is coming up. Next Tuesday, I will host a 'Planning Assumptions' meeting. It's a chance to sit down with members of the public and staff from other agencies to give a power point presentation on how we go about planning. The presentation explains how SRTC is staffed and funded, how we decide which studies and projects to undertake, how we use 'modeling' to predict the amount of cars that will be on the road in the future and which projects should be constructed to accomodate them, and how air quality plays into the whole process.

In addition to talking about planning for the future, the meeting will also provide the public a chance to look at and comment on the updated Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). If you can't make it to the meeting, or would like to look through the Plan now. Here's a link. Otherwise, show up at SRTC, 221 W. First, Suite 310 at 4:00 on Tuesday, Oct. 7. The meeting goes until 6, but you're not required to stay the whole time

United Arab Emirates Contact SRTC About Crosswalks

I received some very interesting correspondence today. A while back I blogged about the 'Virtual Wall' crosswalk; a crosswalk that projects laser beams across the street, depicting pedestrians walking. This gives drivers the idea that walkers are in the crosswalk, and they shouldn't drive through it for fear of either hitting a pedestrian or damaging their car with the laser beams.

Well, today I got an email from someone allegedly working at a government agency in the United Arab Emirates. They had questions about the Virtual Wall and wanted to know if I could provide more information, because they actually want to install some of these at their busier intersections!

Cool! I say let them be the guinea pigs, then we can all follow if it works (and if we can afford it. We're not exactly United Arab Emirates-rich around here).

Warning #875 About Photo Red Cameras

Photo Red cameras are now up and running at the intersections of Browne Street southbound at Sprague Avenue, Hamilton Street northbound at Mission Avenue, and Division Street northbound and southbound at Francis Avenue.

The photo enforcement cameras, which operate 24 hours a day, capture video of red-light runners. The first month is a grace period though, violators will receive warning notices but no fines until November 1.