Proposed Bill Would Lower Train Speed Through Cities

A bill proposed Wednesday would give Spokane officials the power to make trains slow down through the city.

According to the Spokesman-Review, SB 5098, sponsored by Sen. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, would give major cities and the state Utilities and Transportation Commission the authority to set lower speed limits than the federal government allows in certain cases.

Under federal law, trains can travel as fast as 50 mph through cities, but lower limits can be set for what is referred to as “unique local safety hazards,” according to Billig, who also said trains with flammable materials traveling through commercial and residential areas at 50 mph is a unique hazard and “a recipe for disaster.”

The next step would be for the bill to be scheduled for a hearing by the Transportation or the Energy committee.

Appleway Trail Open House

The completed section of the Appleway Trail near University.

An open house on the Appleway Trail is focused on the section of the trail between Sullivan and Corbin. The open house is Wednesday, October 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Commons room at Greenacres Middle School, 17409 E. Sprague Avenue. An overview presentation will be made at 7 p.m. with the remainder of the meeting focused on answering questions and gathering input on the project.

Construction of this section of the Appleway Trail is planned for Spring/Summer of 2017, with the section from Pines to Evergreen also anticipated for construction in 2017.  Design and construction of the section from Evergreen to Sullivan is currently scheduled for 2019/2020.

Eventually, the trail will be extended westward from University to connect with the new City Hall and Balfour Park.  When completed, the length of the Appleway Trail will be approximately five and a half miles, and will connect all the way to Liberty Lake.

Centennial Trail Work Starts Next Monday

One section of the Centennial Trail, near the
Military Cemetery trailhead, that needs asphalt
removed and replaced.

Spokane's Centennial Trail is getting some major repairs this month. Starting Monday, Oct. 10, surface repairs, tree and root removal, pavement removal and replacement, concrete repair and crack sealing will be underway. The work will happen Monday through Friday and there could be some intermittent trail closures. Signs will be in place at access points along the trail to notify users of closures ahead.

Crews will work east to west, starting at the Idaho state line and finishing up in Nine Mile Falls. Work will continue through November but is weather dependent.

More information on the work is on the Spokane County Public Works website at http://www.spokanecounty.org/257/Public-Works.

New Centennial Trail Section Complete

Staff at Riverside State Park invites you to help celebrate the completion of the northwest extension of the Spokane River Centennial Trail. This extends the Centennial Trail approximately two miles from Sontag Community Park to Nine Mile Recreation area on Lake Spokane. This key addition enhances Centennial Trail access and provides an important link within the community.

4 p.m.

August 15

Nine Mile Recreation Area

11226 W Charles Rd., Nine Mile Falls

Speeches will be followed by time for mingling and walking the new section of trail. State Parks staff and partners will be on hand to talk about upcoming work on the trail and other priority projects. Event parking will be available at the Nine Mile Recreation Area.

The Centennial Trail begins at the Washington/Idaho state line and ends at Nine Mile Falls. The trail’s path generally follows the contours of the Spokane River, allowing access for many types of outdoor non-motorized recreational activities. The Spokane River Centennial Trail connects with the North Idaho Centennial Trail. Together, the trails span more than 60 miles and connect the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene communities.

Funding for this project was provided by Friends of the Centennial Trail, Avista Corp. and Washington State Parks through a grant program from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. The name “Centennial” refers to the trail’s initial construction period, which occurred soon after the Washington State Centennial.

Spray Paint on Centennial Trail is a Good Thing In This Case

If you've noticed spray paint on sections of the Centennial Trail, it's not graffiti. Engineers have marked up areas of the trail that need repair and are getting bids for the six major repair projects that will take place in August:

1.  Milepost .86 to 1.17 - Crack seal concrete panels.

2.  Milepost 3.6 to 5.6 - Repair corrugations and bulges.
3.  Milepost 6.8 to 9.8 - Repair tree root damage, eliminate debris/rock washouts, etc.
4.  Milepost 10.6 to 12.7 - Repair bulges, humps and tree root damage.  Joint fill on Denny Ashlock Bridge.  Eliminate rocks washing onto trail.
5.  Milepost 16.8 to 20.1 - Repair corrugations, waves and humps on separated trail portions.
6.  Milepost 29.1 to 31.9 - Repair large surface gaps from previous failed repair project.

Input Wanted On Proposed Millwood Trail

Apparently, a lot of people are interested in a potential new trail for the area, because a public meeting at Millwood City Hall for the Millwood Trail last night had an impressive turnout of enthusiastic people, at least while I was there.

When complete, the trail will traverse three area jurisdictions on former railroad right-of-way- Spokane Valley, Millwood and the City of Spokane. The portion that will cross through Millwood (the agency that hosted the meeting last night, along with a consultant hired to manage Millwood's portion of the trail) starts at Vista Road, continues across Argonne Road and past the city park and Avista substation to the Trent Avenue overpass.
When connected with sections in other jurisdicitons, the trail will connect Spokane Community College at Green St and continue east of to approximately Woodruff Road and Trent in Spokane Valley.

At the meeting last night, a team working on the project asked people what amenities they would like to see on the trail. Some of the most popular items were lighting, trash cans, restrooms, landscaping and vegetation, and educational signage.

If you have thoughts on this project but didn't make the meeting, you can still submit comments or talk to project staff. More information on the Millwood Trail and contact information is here.

Planning and design of the trail is underway right now and is expected to continue through June of 2016. Currently construction of the trail is planned for 2017 and 2018 although the phase of the project has no dedicated funding source at this time.

Area Centennial Trail Priorities Set for 2016

The Friends of the Centennial Trail Board each January sets priorirites for the year for the trail. Here are the priorities they recently determined for 2016:

• Finalize a gap completion plan for Argonne Road.
• Find a solution for the Trail gap from Boone to Pettet Drive that provides Class 1 roadway separation.
• Invest in way finding signs, markers and mile posts when it is expedient to do so.
• Support Spokane City Parks plan to renovate the Don Kardong Bridge.
• Encourage Trail use counting technology in the Spokane Valley and Riverside State Park.
• Advocate for all recreational trails in the region.
• Support completion of six major Trail maintenance projects in 2016.

Centennial Trail Extension

Sontag Park

The Friends of the Centennial Trail group just announced that they have made a $20,000 matching funds gift to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission for the Centennial Trail extension in Nine Mile Falls, WA. The Northwest Extension will add nearly two miles of Class 1 separated trail from Sontag Park to the Nine Mile Falls Recreation Area. The project launched in October and will be completed in spring, 2016.

The gift was donated from the Trail Builder's Fund of Friends of the Centennial Trail, created to provide community-based funding for trail completion and enhancement projects. Major sources of donations to the Trail Builder's Fund are private, designated gifts and proceeds from the annual Spokane Bike Swap & Expo. 

The Northwest Extension will bring trail users to the Nine Mile Falls Recreation Area on Lake Spokane, owned by Avista and managed by Riverside State Park, approximately 39 miles from the Washington/Idaho state line. And, with the additional 24 miles in Idaho, Centennial Trail users can enjoy over 60 miles of trail "book-ended" by lakes and following the Spokane River, with Lake Coeur d'Alene on the east and Lake Spokane on the northwest.

New Wayfinding Markers on Spokane's Centennial Trail

Notice anything new about the Centennial Trail through Spokane lately? Trail users now have an easier time navigating from Mission Park to the south side of TJ Meenach Bridge. Friends of the Centennial Trail purchased and had installed 22 thermoplastic markers and arrows.  Fused to the asphalt, these markers have been placed where there is confusion about where to find the Centennial Trail.   

The project cost $9,200 and was funded from Spokane Bike Swap & Expo proceeds.  

Centennial Trail to be Separated from Pettet Drive

Doomsday Hill during Bloomsday

The part of Spokane's Centennial Trail that goes up Doomsday Hill (also known officially as Pettet Drive) could get a makeover. A new City of Spokane plan would pave the trail on both sides of the river and separate it from the existing roadway.

According to the Spokesman-Review, one of the trails will run on the river side of Pettet all the way down the hill. Another will go up to the neighborhood overlooking Doomsday.

Lorreen McFaul, executive director of Friends of the Centennial Trail, said Pettet always has been an official part of the trail, even though it consisted only of sidewalks and a bike lane. She is excited the City has found a way to make the trail "official" in that stretch.

To do this, the lanes on Pettet Drive will be reduced from 14 feet wide to 12 feet. The new stretch of the trail will be 14 feet wide and separate from traffic.

Brandon Blankenagel, an Engineer with the City and a member of SRTC's Transportation Technical Committee, was the mastermind behind having a spur of the trail go into the neighborhood above. Originally, the plan was to just add bike lanes to the existing, steep and narrow roadway that lead into the neighborhood. As an alternative, Blankenagel came up with putting the trail on an old rail grade.

The work on the new trail system will take place over the next three years. 

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.

Update On The Centennial Trail Through the Spokane Area

Work to complete gaps in the Centennial Trail didn't take a summer vacation.  Here's an update on work to the trail that took place over the summer and some that is still underway:

Sullivan Bridge: Remains closed until spring 2016 for bridge demolition and replacement work, with a detoured Centennial Trail. 

 

Three phases of construction
will make the Mission Gap
a safer Centennial Trail route.

Mission Avenue Gap:
Spokane City Council recently approved funding for the Phase 2 Centennial Trail Bridge from Mission Park to Upriver Drive. It's not clear when construction will start yet.

Riverfront Park:  Friends of the Centennial Trail is looking for input on how bicycle traffic should flow through the park, on both the north and south sides of the River. Please email your thought to friends@spokanecentennialtrail.org.

  

Post Street Bridge: The Project Advisory Committee will convene soon to finalize plans to rebuild this important bridge. 

Post Street Bridge is
part of Mile 23 of your
Centennial Trail!

Boone to TJ Meenach:

Friends of the Centennial Trail have submitted a letter of support to the City of Spokane to add a 14 foot wide shared use path and 8 foot wide gravel jogging path with trees on the south side of Pettet Drive - also known as Doomsday Hill.

Carlson Road: The project is funded at this time, but the construction timeline is uncertain - will be sometime in 2018-2020.  

Sontag Park to Lake Spokane Extension: State Parks will begin construction this fall and Friends of the Centennial Trail has pledged $20,000 in matching funds for this project.

Join Spokane Valley for "Unveil the Trail"

The Appleway Trail before
landscaping, benches, etc.
were added this year.

Mark your calendar and grab your bikes, because the City of Spokane Valley invited you to join celebrating the completion of the latest section of the Appleway Trail! The "Unveil the Trail" event is from 10:00 am-12:00 pm on Thursday, July 9 at the Trail's University Plaza entrance, located on the east side of University where it intersects with Appleway.

In addition to a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees will be able to learn more about the project itself and enjoy a one-mile Fun Walk along the trail with friends and family.

The self-paced Fun Walk will head east from University to Bowdish and return back to the Plaza. Stop along the way and enjoy displays featuring information about local entities such as the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, Waste Management, Spokane Valley Parks & Recreation, Sunshine Disposal & Recycling, Neighborhood Watch, and the City of Spokane Valley, each with free giveaways for the first 100 Fun Walk participants, including a kids' bike helmet fitting and giveaway from S.C.O.P.E.!

The Appleway Trail includes a paved multi-use pathway that extends from University to Pines and will eventually connect to the existing multi-use pathway along Appleway at the eastern city limits. Construction of the next segment, between Pines and Evergreen, is anticipated for design and construction in 2017 and 2018 and is funded by the Federal Transportation Alternatives Program and the Federal Surface Transportation Program.

Please be sure to park in designated Trail parking areas at the STA Pence-Cole Transit Center at 4^th and University or in the Spokane Valley Tech parking lot on University just north of the University Plaza entrance to the trail.

Work Resumes Monday On Appleway Trail in Spokane Valley

A sure sign of spring? Crews will resume construction of the Appleway Trail in Spokane Valley between University and Pines on Monday, March 9, with final touches on the project expected around the end of May.

The twelve-foot wide asphalt pathway completed last fall is already attracting walkers and bicyclists.  Over the next few months, lighting and landscaping will be added as well as benches.  The entry plaza to be constructed at University will also include seating areas, providing a gathering place for trail users.

Safety improvements including crosswalks and sidewalk ramps will be added at Bowdish Road, Union Road, and Robie Road where they intersect with the Trail. 

In addition to connecting neighborhoods south of the Trail with commercial areas to its north, the Appleway Trail provides an east-west route away from busy Sprague traffic for pedestrians, bicyclists, and those using other non-motorized means of transportation.

Funding has already been secured for design and construction of the next segment of the Trail between Pines and Evergreen in 2017/2018.

Local Centennial Trail Priorities For 2015

The Friends of the Centennial Trail group has determined their priorities for 2015, including:

• Finalize a gap completion plan for Argonne Road.
• Advocate for funding and construction plans for the Mission Street gap completion Phases 2 and 3.
  
• Create a plan to replace the deck surface and repaint the Don Kardong Bridge.
• Create a long-term solution for the Trail gap from Boone to TJ Meenach Bridge that provides Class 1 roadway separation.
• Support the Centennial Trail extension construction from Sontag Park to Lake Spokane through $20,000 in matching funds from our Trail Builder's Fund. 
• Plan, design, produce and install new and improved directional and safety signs on the Centennial Trail.
• Keep printed and digital maps and Trail posters updated as gaps are completed. 
• Film a bike riding experience of the length of the Centennial Trail, post in on YouTube and link it to the FCT website.
• Create a Centennial Trail impact study, where users and types of usage are counted each spring, summer and fall. 

Thoughts On How To Improve Old Mission Trailhead?

Do you have ideas for improvements that would enhance the old Mission Avenue Trailhead of the Centennial Trail? The trailhead is located at the west end of Mission Avenue west of Flora.

Perhaps picnic tables or benches, maybe a fountain, or other features that would make it more usable and attractive?  

If so, the City of Spokane Valley wants to hear from you at a community meeting on Monday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m.  The meeting will be held in the clubhouse at the River House Apartments, 16621 East Indiana Avenue.

Information gathered at the meeting will be used to help develop a plan for installation of the selected enhancements, to be constructed in spring/summer of 2015.  

          

Ales 4 the Trail

Let's face it, you don't really need an excuse to drink beer, but if it makes you feel better, here's one that's for a good cause.

Celebrate Spokane's Centennial Trail with an "Ales 4 the Trail" event next Monday, Dec. 8 from 3-8 p.m. at River City Brewing, 121 S. Cedar St. in Spokane.

One dollar from every pint sold will benefit Friends of the Centennial Trail, the advocacy voice for our Centennial Trail. Your support helps fill in the gaps, fix asphalt cracks/heaves and advocate for Trail care and maintenance year after year.

Groundbreaking Ceremony For Appleway Trail Today

This is last minute on my part but sounds like fun. You're invited to celebrate a groundbreaking for the new Appleway Trail in Spokane Valley today. The is at 4 p.m. today at the Trail's University Plaza site, located on the east side of University where it intersects with Appleway.

Spokane Valley Mayor Dean Grafos will be on hand for the celebration along with City Councilmembers, project coordinators and staff members.  In addition to a formal groundbreaking ceremony, attendees will be able to learn more about the Trail project and enjoy light refreshments at the event.

Designed in collaboration with Spokane Valley community members, the Appleway Trail will include a paved multi-use pathway that will eventually connect all the way from Appleway and University to Liberty Lake.

Earthwork is already under way for the section of the Trail that will run between University and Pines.  Paving of the asphalt pathway as well as construction of the University Plaza is expected to begin in late September/early October, depending on the weather.

Development of the Trail is possible as the result of a collaborative agreement between the City of Spokane Valley and Spokane County, which owns the former Milwaukee Railroad right-of-way where the Trail is being built.  The agreement allows development of the right-of-way for enjoyment by the community while reserving the ability to accommodate future transportation needs. 

Centennial Trail Closure and Upgrade

An email from the Friends of the Centennial Trail says that upcoming closures on the trail at the Convention Center will take one month's less time than previously planned and, when complete, the trail will have brand new asphalt from the Division Street Bridge to Washington Street Bridge.  

Beginning September 22, the existing Trail will be shut down, with pedestrian access maintained by using the south concrete walk along the INB and West Convention Center (see map below).  The new span of Trail will open October 24.

Work Underway On Spokane Valley's Appleway Trail

Work started last week on the first stretch of the new Appleway Trail in Spokane Valley. This section
features benches, lighting, landscape irrigation and drinking fountains,and a grant obtained through SRTC will help pay for all of it.

The Spokesman-Review takes an in-depth look at the project.