There's been another pedestrian killed by a car. And this time it was a police officer that hit and killed the person walking. The Spokesman-Review has the details.
The Spokane Regional Health District is launching a campaign to increase safety between cars and bicycles and cars and pedestrians. Last week they had asked us to make a series of maps showing the locations and numbers of accidents involving cars and bicyclists or walkers, plus how severe the collision was. We were kind of surprised at the sheer numbers after looking at the results, and the numbers don't even go through 2010, when there were several accidents. Here's a link to those maps. Check out the downtown area. It looks like someone spilled paint on it.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Council To Discuss Increasing Parking Fines
The Spokane City Council tonight will discuss raising the price of parking tickets from $15 to $25. Some downtown businesses don't support the move though. The Spokesman-Review has the story.
When was the last time you had a parking ticket?
When was the last time you had a parking ticket?
Senator Calls To Trim Waste From New Transportation Bill
We've been operating on an extended transportation bill for a while now, while Congress discusses what a new highway bill will look like. Considering the economy, and the mood in Washington, it's expected to be a lot different from the most recent bill, SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users).
For instance, Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) says the only way to sell a highway bill to his Republican colleagues would be to pare it back and cut waste. Inhofe says anything that not related to transportation needs to be cut. Pet projects like Capitol dome repairs and recreational bike paths make up about 3 percent of the current bill -- an unacceptable number, according to Inhofe, considering that it draws from the Highway Trust Fund.
Here's the latest on the development of a new Transportation Bill from the website for the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works.
For instance, Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) says the only way to sell a highway bill to his Republican colleagues would be to pare it back and cut waste. Inhofe says anything that not related to transportation needs to be cut. Pet projects like Capitol dome repairs and recreational bike paths make up about 3 percent of the current bill -- an unacceptable number, according to Inhofe, considering that it draws from the Highway Trust Fund.
Here's the latest on the development of a new Transportation Bill from the website for the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works.
Missing Your Head? Check The East Sprague Route
My sister-in-law tells me stories from her daily bus ride because she rides the East Sprague route where you see a little of everything if you ride long enough. She said that late last week a young woman got on the bus holding two mannequin heads with full heads of hair. My sister-in-law's comment was that if she ever needed to carry a head on the bus for whatever reason, wouldn't you put them in a bag? I said no, I would want them out where I could talk to them so I could have an entire seat to myself.
Senator Goes After Distracted Walkers
After taking on distracted drivers, some New York lawmakers are now going after distracted walkers. There's a movement afoot (yes, bad pun I know) to ban pedestrians from using iPods, music players and cell phones while walking and crossing the street. Watch the story below then let me know if you would support a movement like this or if you think it's taking matters too far.
A Couple Items From The City of Spokane
- An open house for the Grand Blvd. from High Dr. to 29th Ave. project has been set for Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Sacajawea Middle School, 401 E. 33rd Ave. Citizens and businesses are encouraged to attend to learn about traffic impacts and construction dates for this project, which will be constructed this year.
- City Street Department crews are out repairing potholes caused by the freeze-thaw cycle. Crews focus on the largest holes on the busiest streets first. To report a hole please call 625-7733; please include as much detail as possible, like the exact location and approximate size of the hole.
- City Street Department crews are out repairing potholes caused by the freeze-thaw cycle. Crews focus on the largest holes on the busiest streets first. To report a hole please call 625-7733; please include as much detail as possible, like the exact location and approximate size of the hole.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Neighborhoods Talk Transportation
Instead of their usual weekly meeting, the Spokane City Council held one of their quarterly 'Town Hall' meetings this week where they hear from groups of neighborhoods. Each of the neighborhoods represented gets to give a presentation and bring the Council members up to date on what's been happening in their 'hood. Several of the neighborhoods that represented this week had transportation issues on their agendas- and several of them were positive, not just complaining about potholes or something.
Councilman Jon Snyder recaps the meeting on his blog.
Councilman Jon Snyder recaps the meeting on his blog.
City TBD Back On The Table
The City of Spokane's Transportation Benefit District (TBD) may not be a done deal after all. The City Council rejected a $20 annual vehicle tax two weeks ago, but now Council President Joe Shogan is bringing the issue up again and the Council is expected to decide Monday if it will hold a Feb. 14 hearing on the vehicle tab fee.
To quote Shogan, “We are going to proceed on the TBD come hell or high water – whether we pass it or not – because a lot of talk with no funding is a lot of talk.”
That quote alone should get you to read this Spokesman article on the issue.
To quote Shogan, “We are going to proceed on the TBD come hell or high water – whether we pass it or not – because a lot of talk with no funding is a lot of talk.”
That quote alone should get you to read this Spokesman article on the issue.
Health District Starting Campaign To Encourage Drivers, Walkers, Bicyclists To Share Roads
Just a heads up about something you'll be seeing in the media soon: the Spokane Regional Health District will be kicking off Spokane's first comprehensive education campaign aimed at increasing safety through sharing the road among bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians.It’s funded by a grant through SRTC. The Health District is currently in the process of gathering stakeholder input on the subject, including how to realistically decrease fatalities, injuries, threats and uncivil behavior.
Stay tuned, I'll update you when it's time to get the public involved.
January SRTC Newsletter Available
We've been so busy around here lately. So busy that I haven't had much time to blog lately. The days have been passing so quickly that I can barely remember what I did yesterday, let alone the past couple months. So good thing we put together a quarterly newsletter. It not only keeps you informed, but helps me account for my time. So here's what we've been up to since September.
Engineers Group Gives Transportation Low Grades
In President Obama's State of the Union speech last night, we heard a lot about working together to make things happen, new spending cuts, and increased outlays for education, mass transit and infrastructure. So speaking of mass transit and infrastructure, where do we stand as far as transportation?
A civil engineers group did their own 'State of Transportation' this week and gives the U.S. transportation system low grades. The American Society of Civil Engineers says we need to think about the condition of our bridges a lot more, an overhaul of the air travel infrastructure is needed, freight needs to be moved by rail more and trucks less, and access to public transit needs to be improved as half of all Americans have no access to commuter buses or trains.
Here's more from CNN on the State of Transportation in the U.S. Or, if you're more inclined, you can watch their broadcast on the subject. The commercial you're forced to sit through to watch it is even kind of amusing.
A civil engineers group did their own 'State of Transportation' this week and gives the U.S. transportation system low grades. The American Society of Civil Engineers says we need to think about the condition of our bridges a lot more, an overhaul of the air travel infrastructure is needed, freight needs to be moved by rail more and trucks less, and access to public transit needs to be improved as half of all Americans have no access to commuter buses or trains.
Here's more from CNN on the State of Transportation in the U.S. Or, if you're more inclined, you can watch their broadcast on the subject. The commercial you're forced to sit through to watch it is even kind of amusing.
I90 Work Today
I90 will be reduced to one lane today between Geiger Blvd and US 2 until about 2:30 this afternoon. Crews will be working in the median and both eastbound and westbound lanes at different times. They will be cleaning up debris from an accident that happened in the past. Be alert, there could be slowdowns and backups in the area.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
WSDOT Says Bigelow Gulch Work Not Done Correctly
The County's project to upgrade Bigelow Gulch Road has run into a problem.
A draft report from the Washington State Department of Transportation says the county right-of-way office’s work was done poorly enough that two phases of the project aren’t eligible for federal reimbursement.
County officials say they will work to fix the damage and don't believe the project is ready to be scrapped. The Spokesman-Review has the full story.
A draft report from the Washington State Department of Transportation says the county right-of-way office’s work was done poorly enough that two phases of the project aren’t eligible for federal reimbursement.
County officials say they will work to fix the damage and don't believe the project is ready to be scrapped. The Spokesman-Review has the full story.
Mica Speaks On His Hopes For New Transportation Bill
Republican John Mica, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, recently gave an interview on his hopes to crank out a new transportation bill this year, even in a partisan congress. He also addressed rumors of raiding the Highway Trust Fund and stretching infrastructure money farther.
You can listen to the interview here, and read the transcript. You can even download the MP3 file there in case you want to put it on your MP3 player to listen to over and over.
Any thoughts after listening to/reading this?
You can listen to the interview here, and read the transcript. You can even download the MP3 file there in case you want to put it on your MP3 player to listen to over and over.
Any thoughts after listening to/reading this?
Road Restrictions Go Into Effect In February
I can't believe it's that time of year already. What happened to fall? Where did winter go?
Spokane County’s Engineering and Roads Department will start seasonal weight restrictions on February 2nd and continue until further notice. Roadway surfaces and the structures beneath the surface have become weakened during this winter’s cycle of freezing temperatures, followed by warmer temperatures and precipitation.
As a result, roads are vulnerable to severe damage and the implementation of weight restrictions reduces the need for increased road maintenance and auto repairs later this year.
Seasonal road restrictions usually go into effect in late February or early March and last for approximately 6 weeks. However, seasonal weather conditions vary from year-to-year and dictate the extent of the restrictions and when they go into effect.
Spokane County commercial vehicle enforcement officers will be on patrol and violators will be fined!
Spokane County’s Engineering and Roads Department will start seasonal weight restrictions on February 2nd and continue until further notice. Roadway surfaces and the structures beneath the surface have become weakened during this winter’s cycle of freezing temperatures, followed by warmer temperatures and precipitation.
As a result, roads are vulnerable to severe damage and the implementation of weight restrictions reduces the need for increased road maintenance and auto repairs later this year.
Seasonal road restrictions usually go into effect in late February or early March and last for approximately 6 weeks. However, seasonal weather conditions vary from year-to-year and dictate the extent of the restrictions and when they go into effect.
Spokane County commercial vehicle enforcement officers will be on patrol and violators will be fined!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Contentious Debate Over City Center
Spokane Valley City Councilwoman Rose Dempsey stepped down last week, citing an inability to come to consensus on many issues with the majority of the council, and health issues.
Dempsey often found herself on the losing end of many council decisions, including the first reading of an ordinance that would impose an “emergency amendment” to the city’s comprehensive plan. The law, which is up for final approval tomorrow night, would strip the “city center” zoning in the area of University City shopping center and replace it with a more broad “mixed use” designation.
The debate over that ordinance was contentious, and some speculate, the last straw for Dempsey. Here's more on the 'City Center' debate from the Spokane Valley Herald.
Dempsey often found herself on the losing end of many council decisions, including the first reading of an ordinance that would impose an “emergency amendment” to the city’s comprehensive plan. The law, which is up for final approval tomorrow night, would strip the “city center” zoning in the area of University City shopping center and replace it with a more broad “mixed use” designation.
The debate over that ordinance was contentious, and some speculate, the last straw for Dempsey. Here's more on the 'City Center' debate from the Spokane Valley Herald.
Driver Gets Injured In Roundabout
Roundabouts seem to be all the rage lately. Prior to the 2000s there were only small traffic circles in the area, but no roundabouts. That's for a variety of reasons: not only do they keep traffic moving through an intersection unlike a traffic signal, relieving congestion and lessening air pollution from exhaust, but they are also considered much safer than traditional intersections.
This is because there is less potential for serious crashes in roundabouts – since vehicles all travel around the center island in the same direction, head-on and left-hand turn (T-bone) collisions are eliminated.
Low travel speeds through roundabouts also reduce collisions and the few collisions that do happen are minor because they're at slow speeds.
Well, despite all that, a Mead-area man managed to hurt himself at the roundabout at Mount Spokane Park Drive and Bruce Road yesterday. Washington State Patrol troopers say the 38-year-old man was headed west on Mount Spokane Park Drive when he failed to turn through the roundabout and instead drove into the traffic control structure at the center of the intersection.
The collision caused his 1990 Chevrolet pickup truck to end up in an adjacent field, troopers said. It's not clear at this time how seriously he was hurt. The accident is under investigation, but I think that sounds like a case of just plain driving too fast.
This is because there is less potential for serious crashes in roundabouts – since vehicles all travel around the center island in the same direction, head-on and left-hand turn (T-bone) collisions are eliminated.
Low travel speeds through roundabouts also reduce collisions and the few collisions that do happen are minor because they're at slow speeds.
Well, despite all that, a Mead-area man managed to hurt himself at the roundabout at Mount Spokane Park Drive and Bruce Road yesterday. Washington State Patrol troopers say the 38-year-old man was headed west on Mount Spokane Park Drive when he failed to turn through the roundabout and instead drove into the traffic control structure at the center of the intersection.
The collision caused his 1990 Chevrolet pickup truck to end up in an adjacent field, troopers said. It's not clear at this time how seriously he was hurt. The accident is under investigation, but I think that sounds like a case of just plain driving too fast.
Proposed STA Service Reductions Recommendation
After much discussion and several public open houses, The STA Board of Directors was presented with a recommendation for the September 2011 service reductions at last week's STA Board meeting. You can view all of the proposed cuts and changes here, but here are a couple highlights:
- Extend Route 22 to the 5-Mile Park & Ride and terminate at that location. Additionally, modify the route to travel on Rowan Ave between Assembly St and Driscoll Blvd. This reroute would eliminate the service on Assembly St north of Rowan Ave and on Driscoll Blvd north of Rowan Ave.
- Extend Route 27 just past Monroe St to Madison St and Rosewood Ave and end the route. Modify route to travel on Dakota St between Illinois Ave and Indiana Ave.
- Modify Route 29 to terminate at Spokane Community College.
- Discontinue Route 30 and 31.
- Eliminate service to the West Spokane Industrial Park along Lawson St, McFarlane Rd, and Garfield Rd. Serve the BX on Fairchild Air Force Base (FAFB) with select trips on weekdays only.
There are several more so you will probably want to use the link above to view all the changes. The cuts are going to be hard on everyone, but there is some good news here. The original plans called for discontinuing service to Medical Lake completely. STA managed to rework their reductions though to come up with a way to provide weekday service, with service to the hospitals during non-peak times only.
After looking over the proposed changes, do you have any comments? Well, a Public Hearing regarding the recommended service reductions will be held at the start of the STA Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at the Spokane City Council Chambers, Spokane City Hall, 808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard.
- Extend Route 22 to the 5-Mile Park & Ride and terminate at that location. Additionally, modify the route to travel on Rowan Ave between Assembly St and Driscoll Blvd. This reroute would eliminate the service on Assembly St north of Rowan Ave and on Driscoll Blvd north of Rowan Ave.
- Extend Route 27 just past Monroe St to Madison St and Rosewood Ave and end the route. Modify route to travel on Dakota St between Illinois Ave and Indiana Ave.
- Modify Route 29 to terminate at Spokane Community College.
- Discontinue Route 30 and 31.
- Eliminate service to the West Spokane Industrial Park along Lawson St, McFarlane Rd, and Garfield Rd. Serve the BX on Fairchild Air Force Base (FAFB) with select trips on weekdays only.
There are several more so you will probably want to use the link above to view all the changes. The cuts are going to be hard on everyone, but there is some good news here. The original plans called for discontinuing service to Medical Lake completely. STA managed to rework their reductions though to come up with a way to provide weekday service, with service to the hospitals during non-peak times only.
After looking over the proposed changes, do you have any comments? Well, a Public Hearing regarding the recommended service reductions will be held at the start of the STA Board Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at the Spokane City Council Chambers, Spokane City Hall, 808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard.
Snuggie Sighting On The Bus
I SWEAR that I saw a woman on the bus either wearing a snuggie or a full-length bathrobe this morning. I walked by the Altamont #46 at the Plaza and glanced in for some reason and there she was! She was standing at the front talking to the driver wearing some sort of loungewear that was an aqua green with some kind of multi-colored pattern on it. Who would have though? The snuggie is now public transit wear!
Stimulus Money Breakdown
So remember way back to last year when all the Stimulus money was coming out and we were all aflutter about getting our hands on some of it? Okay, so what happened to all that money? Thanks to Paul for sending me this breakdown of local Stimulus grants from ProPublica. It shows which jurisdiction received grants, which projects the money is going toward and how much was received.
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