Public Meeting On Alignment of Freeway Over "Black Tank" Area

You are invited to learn more about the status of North Spokane Corridor route alignment alternatives in the Hillyard area at an Oct. 27 presentation.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is analyzing possible alignments in the vicinity of Wellesley Avenue because potential environmental mitigation requirements for the “Black Tank” contaminated area may adversely affect the highway project’s Legislative construction and funding expenditure timeline.

The picture below, from a presentation made to the SRTC Board in June, shows the original design going right over the "Black Tank" area. Click the picture to see it full size.

WSDOT will present initial concepts for alignment alternatives at a public meeting, Thursday, Oct. 27. There will be a formal presentation at 6 p.m., followed by a question and answer session with project staff.

Meeting details

When: 6 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27

Where: Spokane Community College Lair (Building 6), 1810 N. Greene St., Spokane

Wellesley and Freya Roundabout Work Starts Next Monday

Drivers who use the intersection of Wellesley Avenue and Freya Street should plan for potential delays starting next Monday. Beginning Monday, Aug. 22, the Washington State Department of Transportation starts a $2.1 million project to build a new roundabout in Hillyard, just north of the Esmeralda golf course.

The roundabout replaces stop signs at the busy intersection and widens both streets. This will help with large trucks traveling to and from nearby industrial and distribution businesses. WSDOT is funding and building this project because the future Wellesley Avenue Interchange on the US 395/North Spokane Corridor freeway adds to the need for improvements at this location.

Workshop Ideas Include Changes to North Spokane Corridor

A workshop on ways to make the area transportation system friendlier to neighborhoods came up

with an interesting idea on changing the design of the southern part of the North Spokane Corridor into a boulevard rather than a freeway.

The freeway, currently under construction, is designed to be a high-speed, multilane freeway with elevated sections south of the Spokane River, with a connection to I-90.

According to the Spokesman-Review, participants at a workshop funded by an Every Place Counts Design Challenge grant (a special program of the U.S. Department of Transportation) were charged with finding ways to  “reconnect neighborhoods and improve community health, mobility and opportunity.”

Spokane was one of four cities selected to participate in the program with workshops led by the federal engineers and consultants. About 60 local officials and neighborhood leaders attended.

Besides changing the scope of the new freeway, there was also the suggestion of building a land bridge over I-90 at Liberty Park to connect the two sides of the freeway and create new recreation and opportunities linked to a trail network.Another idea was to start construction of the Children of the Sun trail planned for the North Spokane Corridor as soon as possible and use it to create small parks.

A final report from the workshop is expected in a couple weeks.

WSDOT Announcing Area Road Construction Projects for 2016

I know- the last thing you're thinking about now is road construction. You're probably more worried about digging yourself out of your driveway. But the Washington State Department of Transportation is always thinking about making our roads better and is announcing area road construction projects scheduled for 2016.

To start, because funding for the completion of the North Spokane Corridor (NSC) was approved by the Legislature last June, you will see more activity along the NSC route next year. The major projects start in 2017 but there are a couple small NSC projects in 2016 including construction of a roundabout at the Freya and Wellesley intersection. That work is expected to start in mid-summer. 

There will also be work on city streets adjacent to the freeway in the Hillyard area, especially along Market Street.  That project includes sidewalk work and cul de sac construction.

On Interstate 90 in east Spokane, there will be changes to the westbound Freya Street exit.  A project this summer will relocate the westbound off-ramp further east, closer to Havana Street.  The ramp will connect to Second Avenue well before Freya Street to provide a longer ramp area that allows drivers to get in the proper lane to continue west or to turn north on Freya.  This will improve traffic flow and make the signal at Second and Freya more efficient, requiring only two phases instead of three.  This will also prevent traffic from backing up onto the freeway during busy times.

Smaller projects in our area include minor turn lane and traffic signal improvements at the Hawthorne Road/Division Street intersection, ADA ramp improvements at a few locations on Division Street and Trent Avenue, and some guardrail work on Interstate 90 and US 2 west of downtown Spokane.

New Section of Children of the Sun Trail Opens Oct. 12

Come out and help celebrate the opening of a new one-mile section of the Children of the Sun Trail in North Spokane on Monday, Oct. 12. The new section, developed by the Washington State Department of Transportation, follows the North Spokane Corridor freeway route from the Freya Street roundabouts north of Francis Ave. to a new trailhead in Hillyard, across the street from Harmon Park. 

The trail is 8-feet wide with two bridges; one crosses Freya and the other passes over the BNSF Railway mainline. A third trail crossing, over a rail spur track, is combined with the southbound freeway lanes on an extra wide, dual-purpose bridge.

Elected officials, local residents and business leaders will gather with WSDOT officials at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 12, to celebrate the opening of the trail. To join, get to the Francis and Market intersection, then go east on Francis to Freya. Go north on Freya through the two roundabouts to the trailhead, where the event is behing held. A flagger will be on hand to direct you where to park.

Now That Money Has Been Dedicated to It, When Will The NSC be Completed?

The State Legislature recently passed a transportation package that increases the gas tax and dedicates money from it to a couple local projects. One of those projects is completion of the North Spokane Corridor (NSC). Now the question is, when will that happen?

An article in today's Spokesman-Review looks at the history of the NSC as well as when it is expected to be completed, now that money is available. 

WSDOT To Use Goats to Control Vegetation Growth Near the North Spokane Corridor

I doubt this is how it will look, for the record.

BREAKING NEWS- goats will be used to control vegetation along Spokane's North Spokane Corridor (NSC).

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is responsible for managing non-native vegetation along our highways, such as Knapweed or Dalmatian Toadflax. Typically, the Department uses mechanical mowing and herbicides to control these weeds.

They're trying something new- and more organic- to go with our new freeway however.
Goats will eat almost any kind of vegetation right down to the ground.  There has been extensive research on the use of goats and sheep for vegetation management and noxious weed control over the years.

In 2014 the WSDOT did a "pilot program," leaving a herd of seven to 15 goats in a fenced storm water retention pond on the other side of the state. In addition to the Japanese knotweed they ate, all the goats needed was water and they did a great job.

In the 2015 growing season, WSDOT will conduct a pilot project to study the use of goats as a mowing tool on state highway rights of way.  The pilot will include utilizing "grazing contractors" in Olympia and Spokane.  The trials are designed to study the use of grazing for vegetation management situations found within the highway right of way.

In Spokane, the goats will be used in a couple of areas along the North Spokane Corridor, totaling about 15 acres. This trial will be conducted using a contractor who will remain on site for 5 to 10 days and supervise 250 goats within an already fenced area along the NSC Children of the Sun trail.  The grazing will be done late spring/early summer to prevent normal flowering and seed production.  This allows for more effective weed control with herbicide later in the season when perennial weeds are most vulnerable.


Although goat usage will cost a little more than present weed control methods, unlike mowing, by the time a seed passes through the goat, it apparently has become sterilized and cannot produce another plant when re-deposited on the ground.  Data will be collected throughout the process and an analysis of feasibilities and benefit/cost will be prepared in the fall of 2015.

New Report Says $7B In Transportation Improvements Would Improve State Economy

A state business group says completing the North Spokane Corridor would provide a major economic boost to Washington state. A new study released by the Washington Roundtable looks at finishing the NSC and five other "mega projects" that have been a part of every failed tax package considered by the Legislature in recent years.

The Legislature has been unable to reach an agreement on any plan despite both parties agreeing that major transportation improvements are needed.

The report suggests spending levels for these projects, and comes in lower than some estimates for the NSC. Here's more on that report from the Spokesman-Review.

Legislators Warn Not To Get Hopes Up For New Money For North Spokane Corridor

It wasn't the message business, civic and political leaders wanted to hear when they traveled to Olympia last week for the annual Greater Spokane Incorporated trip to network with legislature members, but they were told not to get their hopes up for new money for the North Spokane Corridor (NSC).

The legislators told the group (including SRTC's Executive Directory who attended) that the chances of passing a transportation package to fund major projects using a gas tax are slim to none. They blamed politics, problems at the Washington State Deparment of Transportation and a lack of support by Spokane Republican leaders.

Others said any kind of package like that would end up on the ballot, where voters would reject it. Why? The Spokesman-Review looks at the issue.

More Centennial Trail News, Holiday Travel and Buses On Holiday Schedules

It is apparently Centennial Trail day in Spokane as this is the second Centennial Trail story I will have posted in five minutes (see previous item below).

After a year of studying how to improve safety for trail users, it's been determined that the best way to get across Mission Avenue would be a new pedestrian bridge. So how much would that cost and what's the likelihood of getting the money?

In other news, AAA says travel over the Thanksgiving holiday is expected to decline from last year, extra law enforcement patrols will be looking for impaired drivers and Spokane Transit buses will operate on a holiday schedule Thursday.

The Spokesman-Review's "Getting There" column has all your transportation happenings for this week.

Article Says Proposed Transportation Package Includes Everything the Public Doesn't Want

Click to view full size. At least I think it will work that way.

Yesterday I posted an editorial from the Spokesman-Review that said we should embrace the transportation package proposed by the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus because of funding included in it for the North Spokane Corridor.

Today I was sent this article from SightlineDaily that says the plan should be rejected because it includes everything the public doesn't want. According to Sightline, the funding package would spend three times more money on highway expansion and new roads than constituents claimed in a recent survey that they want. And that doesn't leave much money for anything else, like maintenance, safety improvements, transit/bike/pedestrian projects and more.
It's a tough choice here in Eastern Washingotn. We've been struggling for years to come up with money to build a new freeway and this could be our final chance at a large chunk of funding. But at the same time, when staff is out and about in the public, we hear lots of comments on how we need improvements to our transit sytem and sidewalks, etc. Thoughts on the topic?

 

Need to Take Advantage of Proposed Transportation Package for the Sake of the NSC

An editorial in today's Spokesman-Review lays out what's included in a transportation funding package propsed the Washington State Majority Coalition Caucus. While not big on some of the new taxes included in the plan, the Spokesman says it supports it due to provisions included to finish the North Spokane Corridor. And because this could be the last bone the NSC gets thrown for quite a while.

Here's the editorial article.

A Lot Happening In Transportation This Week

STA is rolling out a new bus with a red, white and blue theme today; a celebration is scheduled this week for the nearly-completed Francis Avenue bridge; a new traffic signal is going in at Country Homes Boulevard and Cedar Road and lots more.

The Spokesman-Review's "Getting There" column has a roundup of everything transportation-related happening in our area this week.

Francis Avenue Bridge to Open Mid-November

Just a matter of a few weeks and traffic will be flowing over the new Francis Avenue Bridge that will go over the North Spokane Corridor.

There's been a detour at Market and Francis for the past year over the train tracks as crews worked to build the bridge and today the WSDOT announced it is about complete.

There will be a short opening ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 15th and then cars will start using it a few days after that.

The 455 foot-long Francis Avenue Bridge replaces the old 160 foot structure ,enabling future construction of the North Spokane Corridor (NSC) highway lanes, rail tracks, and pedestrian/bike trail to pass under the structure. 

Can Republicans and Democrats Come Together To Finish the North Spokane Corridor?

I get asked almost daily when the North Spokane Corridor will be finished. The answer is always "when funding becomes available." Well, Governor Jay Inslee says that funding needs to become available sooner rather than later.

An article in this week's Inlander calls to finish the freeway and challenges Democrats and Republicans to get together to make it happen. Here's that article.

Governor Calls for New Transportation Bill While On Tour of Spokane

Gov. Jay Inslee was in Spokane today today tour our transportation facilties and urge lawmakers to write a new transportation bill that would include money for the North Spokane Corridor.
He even said a deadline for such a package- by the Apple Cup on November 29.
Inslee also said he's open to suggestions about ways to save money on transportation costs.

Washington State Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson was also here, along with several other elected officials such as Andy Billig and Marcus Richelli.

SRTC's Exectuive Director, Kevin Wallace, also went on the bus tour to demonstate some of our transportation needs to the governor, such as the North Spokane Corridor.

The Spokesman-Review has more.

House Transportation Budget Has $ For Spokane, But Not Everyone Happy With It

House Democrats yesterday passed a two-year, $8.4 billion transportation spending plan for the state, described by Transportation Committee Chairwoman Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island) as "not having a lot of frills."


The bill contains $79 million for projects in Spokane County, about $68 million of which will go toward the North Spokane Corridor, nearly $4 million for the State Route 290/Trent Avenue Bridge over the Spokane River and $1.3 million for the U.S. 195/Cheney-Spokane Road intersection.

While some feel it is a decent bill for Western Washington, there is a lot of indecision over it in general.
The Spokesman-Review tells us what issues are being debated.

Pay Attention In Area Of Market/Francis

Today, Thursday, April 4, the Market / Francis intersection will be controlled by flaggers for drainage work. The right turn from Francis to northbound Market Street will not be allowed until 3 p.m. today. In general, Left turn movements on Market to Francis are not allowed. The City of Spokane & WSDOT have closed Francis between Market and Crestline for resurfacing and other work.

As a result of the multiple projects, you can expect congestion and long delays near the Francis Avenue and Market Street intersection, especially during the morning and afternoon commute hours. Delays are also possible at the Francis and Freya intersection.

Crews are replacing the existing Francis Avenue Bridge over the railroad tracks with a longer structure to accomodate the North Spokane Corridor.

Will Global Warming Have To Be Considered Before Approving Major Projects?

Since 1970, the National Environmental Protection Act has required federal agencies to consider the impacts of their projects on air, water, and soil pollution — but not on climate change.

One of the services we do here at SRTC is air quality monitoring, analysis and modeling. Projects under consideration for funding are analyzed to ensure they won't add to air quality issues, such as by forcing more cars to idle in one spot.

Until recently, carbon dioxide, which causes global warning, wasn’t classified as a pollutant and so couldn’t be regulated under environmental laws. Well, it sounds like President Obama is about to change all that, with an impending announcement that all federal agencies will have to consider the impact on global warming before approving major projects, from pipelines to highways.”

While SRTC isn't a federal agency, some of the funding we distribute to local jurisdictions to construct transportation projects comes from federal sources, meaning major projects like the North Spokane Corridor could be impacted.
So does this mean no more highways? DC Streetsblog takes a look at the implications.

Market & Francis Traffic Configuration Change Delayed

The left-turning traffic configuration changes at the Market & Francis intersection planned for today, March 12, have been postponed until later in the week, depending on weather.


Originally, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said left turn movements in all directions would not be allowed for up to two weeks at his location starting today. In general, Francis is now one lane in each direction at the Market Street Intersection, causing some delays on Francis Avenue and Market Street near the BNSF railroad tracks. Crews in that area are removing and replacing the existing Francis Avenue Bridge over the BNSF Railway with a longer structure to accommodate the North Spokane Corridor.