Belt St. Closed

If you haven't already figured it out, Belt Street from Augusta to Montgomery avenues is closed today so crews can install a water line. Drivers are being detoured Cannon Street.

The water line installation is part of a larger project to rehabilitate a number of residential streets in the area of Belt St. and Indiana Ave. The project is a full-depth rehabilitation of Belt St. northbound from the alley at Augusta/Nora to Montgomery avenues, and Cannon St. southbound from Nora to Montgomery avenues; a grind and overlay of Belt St. southbound and Cannon St. northbound as well as the remaining streets; and replacement of a 12-inch water line.

The overall project will repair the following streets: Belt St. from Nora to Montgomery avenues; Cannon St. from Nora to Montgomery avenues; Buell St. from Hemlock to Montgomery avenues; Hemlock St. from Shannon to Montgomery avenues; Indiana Ave. from Hemlock to Ash streets; Knox Ave. from Belt St. to the cul-de-sac; Mansfield Ave. from Belt to Elm streets; Montgomery Ave. from Nettleton to Belt streets; Nora Ave. from Hemlock to Ash streets; Shannon Ave. from Hemlock to Elm streets.

The $1.2 million project is funded with money from the 10-Year Street Bond.

Ouch...

Okay, with camping season upon us, we need to be careful out there.



Hat Tip: Huckleberries online

Who owns the road: bicyclist vs. driver with an ironic twist

This is an interesting story about the tensions that exist between bicyclists and motorists, but its more than just that. First of all, it's bicycle story set in Portland, which you know will be interesting in its own right. But add the fact that driver in this story has been a bicycle advocate for over 30 years, and it really starts to get interesting.


Question: Have you ever confronted an unruly bicycle rider while driving? After reading this story, would you?

Here is something to do this weekend

The River City Rod Run kicks off at the Hot Rod Cafe in Post Falls Friday evening. According to this Coeur d'Alene Press article, the festivities begin at 6 p.m. Friday until midnight, and resume on Saturday from 8 a.m until midnight. Check out the detailed schedule of events in the story that is linked above.

Gives New Meaning to the Word 'Carpool'

Picture 'borrowed' from the Spokesman-Review 'Huckleberries' blog

Pedestrian Plan Development Video

As you may have seen here in June, SRTC is working with the City of Spokane, the Spokane Regional Health District, and the Regional Pedestrian Plan Committee to develop a Regional Pedestrian Plan for the area of Spokane County.

To develop a plan that addresses the needs of pedestrians in our area, we are looking for feedback on a variety of issues. This information is being gathered through a series of Regional Pedestrian Plan surveys to be done over the summer.

Here is a piece we put together in conjunction with the Health District and City Cable 5 on the purpose and goals of the Pedestrian Plan and the surveys we will be utilizing to develop the plan.

Check Fine Print When Buying Cheap Gas

If you think you're saving money at some area gas stations that still have prices below $4 a gallon, think again and read the fine print.
Some stations are apparently charging us more for using debit and credit cards!

Gas Saving Tricks Could Be Dangerous

We've all read the articles on 'hypermilers,' people who use extreme methods to increase gas mileage; such as coasting with your engine off, drafting behind big rigs, and driving much slower than the speed limit.

Law enforcement and driving experts now say what they're doing is not only dangerous, but could be illegal too.

Here's the story. Have you ever tried any of these techniques to save gas? If so, did it work?

Division Street Lane Reductions

Repairs to the joints of the Division Street Bridge just outside of downtown Spokane will cause some obstructions this week.

Tuesday and Wednesday, July 8 and 9, from 9 a.m. until as late as 2 p.m., northbound Division Street will be reduced to two lanes. Thursday, July 10, southbound Division Street will be reduced to two lanes from 9 a.m. until as late as 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12 from 11:30 p.m. until 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 13, southbound and/or northbound Division may be reduced to one lane.

Transportatin Roundup For Week Of July 7

A pat on the back for Spokane drivers from a major national magazine, a seminar for young drivers, Barker Road Bridge is closed starting today, and you may want to avoid Spokane Falls Boulevard downtown if possible.

Here's what happening in our area this week from the Spokesman's 'Getting There' column.

Area Drivers Tell How They're Cutting Costs

A recent national poll says that a third of Americans say they’ve changed their vacation plans this summer due to higher gas prices. Some have decided to go camping instead of take a road trip, some are just staying home, and some are even going so far as to say goodbye to their cars. Here's what some people from our area are doing to cut costs this summer.

I've been riding the bus as much as possible recently and had to downgrade my cell phone plan to a less expensive one. What are you doing to cut costs?

Magnesium Road Closed By Gas Leak

Magnesium Road in north Spokane is closed east of Division Street after Avista Utilities crews reported a gas leak. Crews are digging to try to find the source of the leak, which was discovered about 10:30 a.m. Commuters should avoid the area if possible.

Car-Free Day- A Possibility In Spokane?

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has just announced plans for a temporary Saturday-only seven mile car-free route through the centre of Manhattan this summer, under the name 'Summer Streets.'

For three Saturdays in August, a route linking Brooklyn Bridge in the south and the Upper East Side and Central Park in the north will be cleared of all traffic to be freed for use by cyclists and walkers.

Here's the details.

Do you think a 'car free' day would fly in Spokane?

Few Cell Phone Citations Issued

Few citations were issued during the first day of Washington's hands-free cell phone law yesterday. Authorities said though that they weren't exactly focusing on the violation.

The law states that drivers cannot have cell phones up to their ears, but they can use hands-free devices or talk on speakerphone. A cell-related ticket will be issued only if the driver first commits another violation, such as speeding or failure to yield. The ticket is $124. Drivers calling 911 and on-duty emergency workers are exempt from the law.

Eyman Initiative Gets Enough Signatures

It appears that Tim Eyman has gotten his latest initiative on the ballot. Eyman yesterday turned in the latest batch of what he says are 299,019 signatures. Election officials must now check to be sure there are at least 224,880 valid signatures.

Eyman’s Initiative 985 would:

• open freeway carpool lanes to everyone during off-peak hours;
• require cities and counties to synchronize traffic lights on busy roads;
• boost roadside help so accidents are cleared faster;
• and require that any tolls are used only on the same project.

Here are the details.

Better make sure that 2009 model is a California car

Remember when the legislature agreed to establish the California emission standards on new automobiles in the 2005 session? Well, as of today those new regulations take effect. Starting with the 2009 models, all new automobiles purchased by "Washington residents" must be certified to meet the California standards. That means if you reside in Washington state, you cannot go over to Idaho to purchase a car that doesn't meet the standards. If you try, you will not be able to register the car in Washington. (BTW, Idaho dealers say they will stock the cleaner burning California cars for their Washington customers). However, there is an exception for people moving to Washington state. They will be able to register their 2009 cars even if they don't meet the standards. Here is a link to the Spokesman Review story on this issue.

Interesting Info From The WSDOT

The final 1.5-cent gas tax increase from the 2005 transportation revenue package takes effect today. And the Washington State Department of Transportation wants to remind us that, yes, gas is expensive, but this increase will only raise the fuel bill of the typical driver by $9 per year per vehicle (see chart below).

What Does the Average Driver Pay Annually in Gas Tax?
(assumes 12,000 miles of driving per year)
implemented 30 mpg 20 mpg 10 mpg
July 1, 2003 (Nickel Gas Tax) 5¢ $20.00 $30.00 $60.00
July 1, 2005 (portion of the 9.5¢) 3¢ $12.00 $18.00 $36.00
July 1, 2006 (portion of the 9.5¢) 3¢ $12.00 $18.00 $36.00
July 1, 2007 (portion of the 9.5¢) 2¢ $8.00 $12.00 $24.00
July 1, 2008 (portion of the 9.5¢) 1.5¢ $6.00 $9.00 $18.00
subtotal of increases 14.5¢ $58.00 $87.00 $174.00
Existing state gas tax 23¢ $92.00 $138.00 $276.00
total state gas tax 37.5¢ $150.00 $225.00 $450.00

High Gas Prices Translate Into Lower Insurance Prices?

The insurance industry is trying to make us feel better about high gas prices by saying high prices force people to drive less, resulting in lower insurance rates.

Commuters who no longer drive to work may be eligible for an insurance rate reduction, as well as people who reduce their miles driven per week, if the reduction drops them into a lower rate category for their insurer.

Read the details, then get on the phone to your insurance agent. And let us know if you end up with a reduction, because we want to switch to your company.

SmartRoutes Application Submitted

SRTC is teaming up with other area agencies to seek up to $50 million in grant money for transportation projects aimed at getting more people to walk or ride a bike rather than drive a vehicle.

SRTC and the Spokane Regional Health District yesterday submitted an application for the 'SmartRoutes' initiative, which could provide funding for projects that cater to non-motorized transportation. Click here to read the request for funding that was submitted.

County & City Holiday Closures

Get your official business done in the next two days, because County and City offices are closed Friday. Here's a rundown of what's closed Friday:

* Spokane County offices
* The Spokane County Courthouse
* Public Safety Building
* Veterans Services
* Spokane City Hall
* Garbage transfer stations
* Waste-to-Energy facility
* Spokane Public Library branches
* The Spokane City Council briefing session and legislative meeting for Monday, July 7, have been cancelled because of a lack of a quorum. The Council will resume their regular schedule on Monday, July 14.

Here's what will stay open on Friday:

* The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
* 911
* the Spokane County Crime Reporting Center (7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m
* Riverfront Park attractions, including the Imax Theater, Spokane Falls Skyride, Pavilion rides, and Carousel.
* City golf courses
* City pools

Parking meters don’t have to be plugged on Friday, and garbage pickup and curbside recycling scheduled for Friday will occur on Saturday, July 5.