Budget Proposes Diverting Red Light Camera Revenue To General Fund

Well, a lot of you called this one; Mayor Mary Verner is suggesting helping to dig ourselves out of the City of Spokane's budget hole in part by diverting money raised by the red light camera fines to the general fund. She's also proposing upping the cost of parking fines. The Spokesman-Review has a preview of Verner's proposed 2012 budget.

The criticism of the red light cameras has always been that they're not really about promoting safety, but are instead intended to bring in revenue. By diverting the money raised from them to neighborhood safety projects, that argument was invalidated. Giving it back to the general fund though could raise some hackles.

So what do you think? In times of extremem financial hardship, such as now, is it okay to divert that money? If not, is it because you're concerned the revenue stream will never be diverted back to neighborhood projects? Just curious what your thoughts are here.

I'm Making Plans For You Again

No plans this afternoon? Come down to SRTC and attend our brown bag lunch session presentation on the Transportation Vision Project. Jay Renkens of MIG, Inc., which led the study of how to develop our region's transportation system over the next 30-50 years, will give an overview of the study. He'll cover the process used, the innovated outreach methods utilized and, the most interesting part, the outcome of the study and how to implement those recommendations. Here's more info on the Vision Project. The session starts at noon at 221 W. First Ave., Suite 310, and lasts until approximately 1 p.m.

And now, being your personal assistant, I'm also going to recommend that you get outside this weekend, but do something productive while you're at it. How about painting a mural along the Fish Lake Trail on Saturday? That's what a group of volunteers will be doing to make that trail even more pretty. Email Dan Schaffer if you would like to help.

Editorial Says Initiative Is Headed The Wrong Way

An editorial in today's Spokesman-Review condemns the latest Tim Eyman initiative as trying to accomplish too much and says, while aimed at tolling on the west side of Washington, it could hurt our chances of funding projects on this side of the state.


Here is what that initiative is supposed to address, and why the Spokesman says it won't work.

A License To Drive Stoned?

In a follow up to a story that Jeff posted a couple weeks ago while I was on vacation, Colorado legislators recently shot down a bill that would have set a legal limit on how much marijuana drivers could have in their systems.

This editorial from the Denver Post claims those lawmakers were apparently smoking something when they made that decision.

I90 Closure Near Snoqualmie

If you're headed across the Pass in the next few days, be prepared so you can avoid delays. WSDOT starts the first of a series of controlled rock blasts on I-90 near the east snowshed today and tomorrow. I-90 will be closed for up to an hour in both directions from Hyak to the Price Creek Sno-Park at approximately 7 p.m.

After crews blast, they will remove debris from the roadway and shoulders, inspect the slopes for stability and safety, and reopen all lanes of I-90.

TAC Members Wanted

You can't hide from me. I know you're out there, and if you're reading this you're interested in transportation, so just go ahead and fill out an application to be on SRTC's Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) already.

The TAC is a citizen group responsible for advising SRTC Board members on recommendations regarding plans, programs, and activities conducted by SRTC. The purpose of the TAC is to promote transparency and provide an opportunity for the public to be involved in our programs and activities.

The TAC is composed of 13 members and it only meets once a month, on the fourth Monday of each month, so it's not going to take up that much of your time.
Come on, what are you waiting for? Here's more info and the application so let's get started on this. We're a fun bunch around here at SRTC. You'll enjoy hanging out with us once a month.

I Love Craigslist

My mother has some health issues that affect her balance so riding a bike is hard for her. I went to a nice gentleman's house to look at an item advertised on Craigslist yesterday and saw this beauty. She wasn't for sale and she needs cleaned up, a chain and a tune up but the guy agreed to sell gave her to me cheap. Hopefully this will get mom back on the bike.

Street Sweeping & Lane Closures at www.SpokaneRoadFix.net

Street sweeping starts this week in the City of Spokane. And there are some lane closures on Maple Street you may want to know about if you drive through downtown Spokane.

You can find more information on both these items at www.SpokaneRoadFix.net.

WSDOT Open House Draws Big Crowd

An open house hosted by the Washington State Department of Transportation last week had a good turnout. The meeting was to collect feedback on proposed changes to Interstate 90 between Barker and Harvard Road in Liberty Lake.

The Spokane Valley News Herald has the story.

Transportation Roundup For Week of May 9

Freeway construction. Yep. And lots of it. But that's a good thing. It means we'll have much smoother-funning freeways when it's all over. Anyway, that's pretty much the entire topic of this week's Getting There column in the Spokesman-Review.

Still Haven't Checked Out www.SpokaneRoadFix.net?

Here at SRTC, we love those guys at the City of Spokane's TV station, Cable 5. They understand how transportation affects everyone, and are always willing to help us spread the message about SRTC's activities via their station. So thank you Eric for putting together this piece about the www.SpokaneRoadFix.net website, where you can find out how to avoid getting delayed in construction zones, alternate routes to get where you're going and some alternate modes of transportation that may get you there quicker and more efficiently than driving alone through construction areas. click the title to watch the piece in a larger format.

Auto Sales Increasing, Car Size Decreasing

It makes complete sense; as gas prices go higher, Americans are opting for smaller cars.

New models that get 35 mpg or better led most major automakers to stronger April sales. In fact, auto sales are up overall and have been the past three months, signalling a recovery for the auto industry and possibly the economy.

The Coeur d'Alene Press has the details, although I suspect one of them is incorrect. The story states that the average gas price last year at this time was $1.06! Holy cow, that's some cheap gas.

LaHood Proposes Bus Safety Actions

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has been busy this week. Yesterday he announced his proposals to make travel by bus safer. His ideas include making it easier to take away bus drivers' commercial licenses if they violate drug and alcohol laws and requiring bus companies to pass a safety audit before receiving federal permission to operate.

Here are the details, straight from the man himself.

Downtown Street Closures For Parade

You folks with kids out there in band at local schools probably already know this, but for the rest of you, Saturday is the 60th Annual Junior Lilac Parade through downtown Spokane, so there WILL be some road closures.

To see where they'll be, go to the www.SpokaneRoadFix.net website.

Time Running Out To Comment On Vision Project

Okay folks, if you have something to say about the Transportation Vision Project report, speak now or forever hold your peace. The deadline to review and comment on the Spokane Unified Regional Transportation Vision and Implementation Strategy is this Sunday, May 8. So check it out here. And make comments on it here. Come on, this is your last chance to get your voice heard.

Be Sure To Visit Businesses In Construction Zones!

No ideas of what to do with or for Mom for Mother's Day this weekend? Take her shopping! In Spokane's SoDo District in particular.

The merchants in that area want you to know that, despite road construction on Second Ave., they're open for business and ready to serve you. Some of those businesses are even offering 'construction specials.'

To check out what they have going on, visit the www.SpokaneRoadFix.net website for a flyer and parking and business maps.

Governor Signs Law To Keep Cattle Trucks On I90

Governor Gregoire signed a law yesterday to keep large trucks carrying cattle off area roads and on I90.

I have been hearing from a local Sheriff's Deputy about allegedly hundreds of commercial cattle trucks, some from Canada, that use Trent Avenue to avoid I90 in order to bypass the port of entry weigh station. Well, if they're caught doing that in the future, they'll face a $1,000 fine.

State Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, was the prime sponsor of the bill. He says it's important because the inspections can detect sick animals and large trucks travelling on roads not built to handle heavy loads can break the roads down.

New SRTC Interim Transportation Manager

SRTC has a new interim Transportation Manager. The SRTC Board recently decided to take the agency in a new direction. That new direction eventually led to new leadership as well. At a meeting last week, the Board approved hiring Mark Rohwer as the Interim Transportation Manager to lead SRTC while a search is conducted for a permanent Executive Director.

“There is a lot happening in transportation right now,” says SRTC Board Chair Gary Schimmels. “That means a lot for this agency to keep up with and a lot of opportunity for it to grow. The Board is grateful to Mr. Rohwer for returning to his transportation planning roots to help guide that growth while getting the agency through this transition phase.”

Rohwer had a long history at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) - Eastern Region (32 years!) before retiring in 2009. In his role at WSDOT, he collaborated with Metropolitan Planning Organizations such as SRTC, providing him knowledge of how MPOs function and how to move forward as an agency. He's also a long-time resident of the area, so he has a good idea how things work around here and the political climate.

It's expected to take approximately three months to appoint a permanent Executive Director at SRTC.

You Can't Say They Didn't Warn You

I bought the tire below this weekend to replace the flat, shredded one on my wheelbarrow. Look what the new one says on it. Hmmm... good to know. Guess I won't try my luck on it on the highway after all.

Some City Road Closures

Maple St. from Boone to Second avenues will have one southbound, right lane closed to traffic:

• Tuesday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 4, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.,
• Thursday, May 5, and Monday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Crews will be installing the Intelligent Transportation Systems for the Third Ave. ITS project. Signs will be in place.

Maple St. from Second to Third avenues will have one southbound, right lane closed to traffic:

• Tuesday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
• Thursday, May 5, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., and
• Friday, May 6, and Tuesday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Crews will be installing the Intelligent Transportation Systems for the Third Ave. ITS project. Signs will be in place.

Strong Rd. from Indian Trail Rd. to the top of the hill will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, May 4 and 5. City crews will be grading the street. Signs will be in place.