Monday, February 28, 2011
Browne's Addition Cars Towed
The City today towed 11 cars in Browne’s Addition today so the streets could be plowed. Let that be a warning to you for tomorrow if you live on east/west streets there. Plowing on them begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday. If your car does get towed for some reason though, call 625-4100 to free it.
Call-In Show To Discuss Transit Planning For the Future
This month's edition of the Cable 5 TV show “Council Connection,” will be hosted by Spokane City Council Member Amber Waldref and is titled “Spokane Transit: Planning for the Future.”
Council Member Waldref will be joined by Susan Meyer, CEO of Spokane Transit Authority, and Karl Otterstrom, STA’s Director of Planning, to discuss long-term strategic plans for development of a High Performance Transit Network in the Spokane area. They will also discuss the on-going Spokane Central City Line alternatives analysis, which compares several modes such as streetcar and bus rapid transit in an effort to identify ways to enhance connectivity between major activity centers within the central city area.
Calls from viewers will be accepted during the program so call 625-6337 if you have any questions you've been wanting answered.
Council Member Waldref will be joined by Susan Meyer, CEO of Spokane Transit Authority, and Karl Otterstrom, STA’s Director of Planning, to discuss long-term strategic plans for development of a High Performance Transit Network in the Spokane area. They will also discuss the on-going Spokane Central City Line alternatives analysis, which compares several modes such as streetcar and bus rapid transit in an effort to identify ways to enhance connectivity between major activity centers within the central city area.
Calls from viewers will be accepted during the program so call 625-6337 if you have any questions you've been wanting answered.
Snoqualmie Pass Closed
Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 is closed in both directions from near North Bend to Ellensburg due to a snow slide blocking the westbound lanes.
Crews are working to clear the roadway but because the closure is weather-related they can't estimate when the road will be open again.
Crews are working to clear the roadway but because the closure is weather-related they can't estimate when the road will be open again.
Campaign To Widen 904
Here's an item I lifted from today's Getting There column in the Spokesman-Review: Cheney city officials are making a proposed widening of state Highway 904 through Cheney the city’s top legislative priority.
Heavy traffic frequently slows the two-lane highway between Cheney and Four Lakes. A Coalition for 904 has been formed to advocate for the widening, which could also include additional lanes from Cheney to Tyler. A center turn lane is also being advocated.
For those who drive this roadway regularly, and those who don't, what are your thoughts on widening it?
Heavy traffic frequently slows the two-lane highway between Cheney and Four Lakes. A Coalition for 904 has been formed to advocate for the widening, which could also include additional lanes from Cheney to Tyler. A center turn lane is also being advocated.
For those who drive this roadway regularly, and those who don't, what are your thoughts on widening it?
Browne's Addition Plowing Reminder
A reminder that City crews will be plowing the streets of Browne’s Addition today, and tomorrow starting at 9 a.m.
Cars must be moved from the north-south streets in Browne’s Addition today, and from the east-west streets tomorrow. The streets are so narrow in Browne’s Addition the trucks cannot get through with parked vehicles lining the streets.
Vehicles parked in those areas when the trucks come in will be subject to towing. If your vehicle is towed, call 625-4100.
Cars must be moved from the north-south streets in Browne’s Addition today, and from the east-west streets tomorrow. The streets are so narrow in Browne’s Addition the trucks cannot get through with parked vehicles lining the streets.
Vehicles parked in those areas when the trucks come in will be subject to towing. If your vehicle is towed, call 625-4100.
Friday, February 25, 2011
City Tackling Downtown Berms
The City of Spokane just sent out these pictures of machinery removing the berms downtown. These industrial snowblowers suck up the snow and blow it into a dump truck, which hauls it away to dump at one of the City's yards.
Article Says 'Fix It First, Expand It Second, Reward It Third'
When out talking to members of the public, I'm hearing more and more often lately that we need to focus more on fixing and maintaining the transportation infrastructure that we have, rather than building new. This article from Economix suggests “Fix It First, Expand It Second, Reward It Third” and mentions another sentiment I've been hearing more often lately, that we should be doing more public-private partnerships. What do you think; fix it and they will come, as the article title says?
Nice Ride
The folks in Liberty Lake who drive their golf carts and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles around the community have nothing on this bad boy. I friend sent me this picture of this 'Cadillac' golf cart she saw in San Diego last weekend. Note the two baby seats in back. Hmmm...
Latest on City Plowing & Browne's Addition Plowing
Starting at around noon today, the City of Spokane is planning to use an industrial snow blower to remove some of the center berms downtown that were created by plows overnight. The snow will then be hauled away in dump trucks. Work begins on Spokane Falls Boulevard and could slow traffic but at least one travel lane will be maintained wherever the snow blower is being used.
Meanwhile, the City has essentially completed plowing the primary and secondary arterials and is concentrating on residential areas, where 17 grader-truck plow teams are deployed. On the North Side, crews are working in routes 8, 9, and 13, with route 7 scheduled next, and on the South Hill, they are working in routes 2 and 3 with 1 scheduled next. Click here for the residential plow route map and to follow the progress of plows.
Plowing in Browne’s Addition has been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 28 and March 1. North-south streets will be plowed on Monday and east-west streets on Tuesday. Vehicles must be moved from those north-south streets on Monday and the east-west streets on Tuesday or they will be towed.
Meanwhile, the City has essentially completed plowing the primary and secondary arterials and is concentrating on residential areas, where 17 grader-truck plow teams are deployed. On the North Side, crews are working in routes 8, 9, and 13, with route 7 scheduled next, and on the South Hill, they are working in routes 2 and 3 with 1 scheduled next. Click here for the residential plow route map and to follow the progress of plows.
Plowing in Browne’s Addition has been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 28 and March 1. North-south streets will be plowed on Monday and east-west streets on Tuesday. Vehicles must be moved from those north-south streets on Monday and the east-west streets on Tuesday or they will be towed.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Highway 27 Closed
Highway 27 between Fairfield and Tekoa is closed in both directions due to blowing snow and poor visibility.
The National Weather Service is reporting that near-whiteout conditions on the Palouse have the potential to be life threatening if you were to get stuck or go off the road.
Visibility on the Rathdrum Prairie in Idaho is being reported as very low and Idaho State Police are urging drivers to stay away from the area.
The National Weather Service is reporting that near-whiteout conditions on the Palouse have the potential to be life threatening if you were to get stuck or go off the road.
Visibility on the Rathdrum Prairie in Idaho is being reported as very low and Idaho State Police are urging drivers to stay away from the area.
Bill Would Allow Citizens To Vote On Red Light Camera Use
The Washington state House and Senate are moving to impose new standards on cities' use of traffic cameras, but an effort to give voters a chance to veto cameras hasn't come to fruition. The House Transportation Committee earlier this week rejected voter approval for cameras, as suggested by House Bill 1279.
The Olympian has the story on the movement to let citizens decide whether or not to use red light cameras. I suspect I know the answer to this, but would you like to have a say in whether red light cameras are used in our area or do you think our elected officials should continue to make that decision?
The Olympian has the story on the movement to let citizens decide whether or not to use red light cameras. I suspect I know the answer to this, but would you like to have a say in whether red light cameras are used in our area or do you think our elected officials should continue to make that decision?
Good Help Is Hard To Find These Days
Hey look! After months of complaining, management FINALLY got me an assistant! With the economy being so bad though we weren't able to pay as much as I would have liked, and had to hire accordingly. This little lady doesn't have a college degree but she draws a mean scary monster. And I have to ask her mom if I need her to work more than an hour or two at a time (and if I could post this picture).
Actually, her mother found out at the last minute that daycare was closed and didn't have any other options so brought her into the office. I watched her while mom was in a meeting, which completely blew my child-disliking cover.
195 Open Again, City Declares Stage 2 Snow Emergency, County Working 24/7
Okay, getting a slow start this morning for a variety of reasons, but here's a roundup of the closures I've received:
- US 195 was closed in both directions due to drifting snow this morning but has been reopened. One of the folks that works in the Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center (SRTMC) took the old highway to get in this morning and said that the winds and drifting caused the snow to reach up to the hood of his car!
- The City of Spokane declared a Stage 2 Snow Emergency, which means City crews will work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until they complete a full-City plow that includes all residential areas. The City is calling in contract graders from the private sector to help with the effort.
City crews currently are working in arterials and moving into residential hill routes, those numbered 20 and above on the City’s residential plow route map.
Within six hours, parked vehicles need to be moved off the arterial streets and STA fixed bus routes. And within 12 hours, cars should be parked on the even side of the street in residential areas. Crews will leave berms at the end of driveways in the residential areas. Check the progress of City plows here.
Crews will plow downtown tonight so people will need to watch for center berms in the morning and move their cars. Once the full-city plow is complete, the berms will be removed.
- County road crews are also working 24/7 in 12-hour shifts. Currently, 71 pieces of snow removal equipment are working on emergency routes and primary arterials throughout the county.
After crews finishing plowing/sanding emergency routes and primary arterials, they will move to secondary roads, hilly residential areas, followed by flat residential neighborhoods. For more information click here.
- Speaking of the SRTMC (above), you probably want to check it before trying to drive anywhere today. Not only can you check the live traffic cameras to see what's happening on your usual route, but the map and alerts on the front page tells you exactly where the trouble spots and closed roads are.
- US 195 was closed in both directions due to drifting snow this morning but has been reopened. One of the folks that works in the Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center (SRTMC) took the old highway to get in this morning and said that the winds and drifting caused the snow to reach up to the hood of his car!
- The City of Spokane declared a Stage 2 Snow Emergency, which means City crews will work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until they complete a full-City plow that includes all residential areas. The City is calling in contract graders from the private sector to help with the effort.
City crews currently are working in arterials and moving into residential hill routes, those numbered 20 and above on the City’s residential plow route map.
Within six hours, parked vehicles need to be moved off the arterial streets and STA fixed bus routes. And within 12 hours, cars should be parked on the even side of the street in residential areas. Crews will leave berms at the end of driveways in the residential areas. Check the progress of City plows here.
Crews will plow downtown tonight so people will need to watch for center berms in the morning and move their cars. Once the full-city plow is complete, the berms will be removed.
- County road crews are also working 24/7 in 12-hour shifts. Currently, 71 pieces of snow removal equipment are working on emergency routes and primary arterials throughout the county.
After crews finishing plowing/sanding emergency routes and primary arterials, they will move to secondary roads, hilly residential areas, followed by flat residential neighborhoods. For more information click here.
- Speaking of the SRTMC (above), you probably want to check it before trying to drive anywhere today. Not only can you check the live traffic cameras to see what's happening on your usual route, but the map and alerts on the front page tells you exactly where the trouble spots and closed roads are.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
It's Slick Out There, Slow Down
A multiple-car collision on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 at Division is blocking traffic, and a long backup is forming behind the accident scene. The right lane of traffic is moving slowly.
Another multiple-vehicle accident was reported about the same time at Pines Road and Montgomery Avenue. And to top it all off, I hit a car coming down the hill from Sacred Heart when a woman pulled out directly in front of me and I couldn't stop in time. It only left a tiny scratch on my 13-year-old car with almost 200,000 miles on it but dented in the rear quarter panel on her very new Honda. The good news is that it wasn't my fault. Fortunately.
The snow downtown (at least outside my office) has now quit, but the City just sent out an update on their snow removal/deicing efforts. Here are the highlights:
City of Spokane Street crews are working to de-ice and sand City streets as needed. Street officials have called in additional crews for the night shift on Wednesday and are prepared to switch to plowing once the snow begins to accumulate.
De-icing efforts today have focused on hills, bridges, and problem areas. Weather forecasts indicate that several inches of snow are likely within the City through Thursday, and cold temperatures will keep that snow from melting immediately.
A number of collisions already have been reported because of slick conditions. High wind gusts also may cause blowing and drifting snow and poor visibility for drivers.
Another multiple-vehicle accident was reported about the same time at Pines Road and Montgomery Avenue. And to top it all off, I hit a car coming down the hill from Sacred Heart when a woman pulled out directly in front of me and I couldn't stop in time. It only left a tiny scratch on my 13-year-old car with almost 200,000 miles on it but dented in the rear quarter panel on her very new Honda. The good news is that it wasn't my fault. Fortunately.
The snow downtown (at least outside my office) has now quit, but the City just sent out an update on their snow removal/deicing efforts. Here are the highlights:
City of Spokane Street crews are working to de-ice and sand City streets as needed. Street officials have called in additional crews for the night shift on Wednesday and are prepared to switch to plowing once the snow begins to accumulate.
De-icing efforts today have focused on hills, bridges, and problem areas. Weather forecasts indicate that several inches of snow are likely within the City through Thursday, and cold temperatures will keep that snow from melting immediately.
A number of collisions already have been reported because of slick conditions. High wind gusts also may cause blowing and drifting snow and poor visibility for drivers.
Blow By Blow Account Of Monday's Listening Session In Vancouver
A delegation of members from Congress were in Vancouver, WA on Monday for a 'listening session' to hear what’s on the minds of Washington residents as Congress begins drafting the next big multi-year transportation spending bill.
SRTC's Transportation Manager, Glenn Miles, was at that meeting with other representatives from Spokane, including from Spokane Transit, the Good Roads Association, Spokane Valley City Councilmember and SRTC Board Chair Gary Schimmels and County Commissioner Todd Mielke.
Glenn said there was so much response to the meeting that not everyone could fit in the room designated for it. There were also protesters there, both for and against the Columbia Crossing bridge.
Glenn went into a lot of detail of what was said at the meeting, but The Columbian newspaper posted live updates throughout the hearing, saving me from having to transcribe Glenn's debrief.
You can follow what happened here.
SRTC's Transportation Manager, Glenn Miles, was at that meeting with other representatives from Spokane, including from Spokane Transit, the Good Roads Association, Spokane Valley City Councilmember and SRTC Board Chair Gary Schimmels and County Commissioner Todd Mielke.
Glenn said there was so much response to the meeting that not everyone could fit in the room designated for it. There were also protesters there, both for and against the Columbia Crossing bridge.
Glenn went into a lot of detail of what was said at the meeting, but The Columbian newspaper posted live updates throughout the hearing, saving me from having to transcribe Glenn's debrief.
You can follow what happened here.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Temporary Government Shutdown Could Be Coming
Odds are increasing that there could be a short-term shut down of federal agencies coming, including the Department of Transportation. This is due to a stalemate between Republicans and Democrats on resolving differences in Fiscal Year 2011 spending.
While talks drag out, a Mar. 4 deadline looms to pass a spending bill. It's looking more and more likely that a compromise won't be reached in that time.
The Federal Transportation Issues blog has the details. I checked with local branches of national agencies and all say that, at this point, this shutdown isn't expected to effect them, except through not being able to do business with federal agencies during the shutdown.
While talks drag out, a Mar. 4 deadline looms to pass a spending bill. It's looking more and more likely that a compromise won't be reached in that time.
The Federal Transportation Issues blog has the details. I checked with local branches of national agencies and all say that, at this point, this shutdown isn't expected to effect them, except through not being able to do business with federal agencies during the shutdown.
Writer Says Bicyclists, Drivers & Pedestrians Not Mutually Exclusive
Spokesman-Review Letters to the Editor
Motorists must share tab revenue
Mr. David Bray (Letters, Feb. 21) comes out periodically in his negative ways to complain the new tab tax should only be used for street maintenance and not to allocate a few pennies of it toward sidewalks and bike lanes.
Mr. Bray should realize that pedestrians, cyclists and automobile drivers are not mutually exclusive. Some of us do three and, yes, we pay fuel tax, shop at the same stores as those that only drive and purchase shoes as well as fuel, tires, etc.
How narrow-minded and selfish to think that those of us that choose to live downtown and walk on sidewalks are somehow depriving drivers of cars in some way. Mr. Bray and those that believe there should be no funds allocated toward anything other than curb-to-curb paving are living in the dark ages.
Time to wake up and stop segmenting those of us that in actuality use the streets and sidewalks to not only drive but ride our bicycles and walk. After all, some of us actually pay taxes, too.
Steve Berde
Spokane
Kudos to Mr. Berde for pointing out that everyone is a pedestrian at some time and that those who ride their bikes are also using the street.
Motorists must share tab revenue
Mr. David Bray (Letters, Feb. 21) comes out periodically in his negative ways to complain the new tab tax should only be used for street maintenance and not to allocate a few pennies of it toward sidewalks and bike lanes.
Mr. Bray should realize that pedestrians, cyclists and automobile drivers are not mutually exclusive. Some of us do three and, yes, we pay fuel tax, shop at the same stores as those that only drive and purchase shoes as well as fuel, tires, etc.
How narrow-minded and selfish to think that those of us that choose to live downtown and walk on sidewalks are somehow depriving drivers of cars in some way. Mr. Bray and those that believe there should be no funds allocated toward anything other than curb-to-curb paving are living in the dark ages.
Time to wake up and stop segmenting those of us that in actuality use the streets and sidewalks to not only drive but ride our bicycles and walk. After all, some of us actually pay taxes, too.
Steve Berde
Spokane
Kudos to Mr. Berde for pointing out that everyone is a pedestrian at some time and that those who ride their bikes are also using the street.
Airport Closer To Having New Director
The Spokane International Airport is one vote away from having a new director.
Spokane City Council members last night voted 6-0 to name Larry Krauter the airport's new executive director. Krauter is currently serving as interim director of the Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Penn.
The Spokane airport's board of directors also voted to recommend Krauter for the position. Spokane County Commission will have the last say on the matter. They're expected to vote on it today.
If Krauter is approved, he will replace interim director Ryland Skip Davis, who has been in charge at the airport since Neal Sealock stepped down last summer.
Spokane City Council members last night voted 6-0 to name Larry Krauter the airport's new executive director. Krauter is currently serving as interim director of the Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Penn.
The Spokane airport's board of directors also voted to recommend Krauter for the position. Spokane County Commission will have the last say on the matter. They're expected to vote on it today.
If Krauter is approved, he will replace interim director Ryland Skip Davis, who has been in charge at the airport since Neal Sealock stepped down last summer.
Monday, February 21, 2011
TAC Meeting Next Monday
The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting is next Monday, Feb. 28. The TAC is responsible for advising SRTC Board members on recommendations regarding plans, programs, and activities conducted by SRTC.
The packet for next week's meeting is posted here. If anything jumps out at you, feel free to attend. TAC meetings are open to the public. They're held in our conference room at 221 W. First Ave., Suite 310.
The packet for next week's meeting is posted here. If anything jumps out at you, feel free to attend. TAC meetings are open to the public. They're held in our conference room at 221 W. First Ave., Suite 310.
Succesful Paving Program Being Retired
A paving program that was a big success in Spokane Valley is being retired.
The Spokane Valley Herald has the story on the STEP program and why it's being discontinued.
The Spokane Valley Herald has the story on the STEP program and why it's being discontinued.
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