Does The Economy Impact How Safe Your Teen Drives?

A new report by the Governor's Highway Safety Association (GHSA) says the number of 16 and 17 year old driver deaths increased by 19% from 2011 to 2012.

So why the increase? Some say it's probably related to the economy. How does the economy affect kid's driving? GHSA explains with some cool graphics and data. And there's a link to teen driver fatalities by state in case you'd like to know how we're doing in Washington.

Existing Roads Added To National Highway System In Our Area

If you are a follower of transportation happenings, you know that a new federal transportation funding plan was approved last year, called Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). One provision of  MAP-21 added many existing roads to the federal system to incorporate principal arterials not previously included. Previously 160,000 lane miles, the NHS will expand to about 220,000 lane miles.

So, good thing or bad thing you ask? Well, this move will impact the design, operations and maintenance of those roads. It could result in raising speed limits, and precluding compete street enhancements like traffic calming features and pedestrian safety improvements. Federal funds can be used to maintain the roads once they're in the NHS however.


Transportation Issues Daily has more on adding to the NHS, and more pros and cons. Plus there's a link to a map to see what roads in our area have been added.

Adams & Wellesley Sidewalk Improvement Project Meeting

Mark your calendar for a community meeting to learn more about a Spokane Valley project to improve sidewalks for Adams Road and Wellesley Avenue. The meeting is Thursday, Mar. 21 from 5:30-7:00pm at Trentwood Elementary School library room, 14701 E. Wellesley Ave.
Public Works staff members will discuss the details of the projects, planned for this summer, which call for:

• Adding sidewalk and curb ramps to the west side of Adams between Trent and Wellesley and the north side of Wellesley between Sullivan and just past Isenhart;

• Curb ramp improvements on the southeast corner of Adams and Wellesley; and

• Improvements at the crosswalks on the south side of Wellesley at Moore and Isenhart.

The work is tentatively scheduled to begin in June and is estimated to take about 4 weeks to complete. The project is fully funded by Safe Routes to School State Funding (83.3%) and the Spokane Valley Stormwater Management Fund (16.7%).

There will also be an opportunity at the meeting to review the expected traffic impacts involving some street and intersection closures, narrowed lanes, detours, and restrictions to pedestrian and driveway access. Those affected will be notified in advance and access to businesses will remain available.

Market & Francis Traffic Configuration Change Delayed

The left-turning traffic configuration changes at the Market & Francis intersection planned for today, March 12, have been postponed until later in the week, depending on weather.


Originally, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said left turn movements in all directions would not be allowed for up to two weeks at his location starting today. In general, Francis is now one lane in each direction at the Market Street Intersection, causing some delays on Francis Avenue and Market Street near the BNSF railroad tracks. Crews in that area are removing and replacing the existing Francis Avenue Bridge over the BNSF Railway with a longer structure to accommodate the North Spokane Corridor.

New WSDOT Secretary of Transportation To Attend SRTC Board Meeting

Last week I posted a link to the agenda for this Thursday's SRTC Policy Board meeting. Well, there's been a change to that agenda because late yesterday we confirmed that WSDOT’s new Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson will be attending the meeting, on only her fourth day of work in the new positions!

Peterson will briefly meet with the Board and to provide a few comments on her new role, although she won't be taking questions or public comment. Please plan on joining us to welcome Lynn to Eastern Washington.

The revised Board meeting agenda is here.

All The Area's Transportation Happenings For The Week

You can tell it's allegedly spring in the region, the transportation projects and public meetings are firing up like crazy. The Spokesman-Review's "Getting There" column looks at work on Francis Avenue and US 195, as well as public transit meetings being kicked off and the hull of the new Keller Ferry making it's way across the state.

Spokane City Projects Starting This Week

The City of Spokane is firing up two construction projects this week:

• Work to rehabilitate 29th Ave. from High Dr. to Bernard St. begins today, Monday, March 11. 29th Ave from High Drive to Bernard St. will be closed to vehciles. This is part of a larger project that began last year to rehabilitate 29th Ave. from High Drive to Grand Blvd. The Grand Blvd. to Bernard stretch has already been completed. The project includes a full depth curb-to-curb rehabilitation of 29th Ave., replacement of a 12-inch water main, restriping existing bike lanes, and repairing and installing sidewalks. The Bernard St. and the High Drive intersections with 29th will remain open.

• Work on Eight and Ninth Avenue water transmission mains resumes today after a winter break in construction. Eighth Ave. will be closed from Chandler St. to Hatch St. and Hatch St. will be closed from Eighth Ave. to Ninth Ave. The intersection of Sherman St. at Eighth Ave. will be closed for about a week. The project will install a water transmission main in Eighth and Ninth avenues from Division to Cowley streets, Eighth Ave. from Chandler to Hatch streets, and Chandler St. from Eighth to Ninth avenues. Work also includes some landscaping and installation of a concrete stairway and hand railings at Chandler St. from Eighth to Ninth avenues.

What Are The Transportation Needs of the West Plains Area?

Live, drive or commute in the West Plains area? Then you'll want to voice your opinion at a workshop to
define future transportation needs for the West Plains. The City of Spokane will host the workshop Thursday, March 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gym at Sunset Elementary School, 12824 12th Ave. in Airway Heights.


The meeting will explore bike, pedestrian, and vehicular transportation needs. It will begin with a presentation on the scope of the project and existing conditions in the area, followed by interactive activities intended to solicit input on transportation needs and desires on the West Plains.
The workshop is part of a larger effort to identify and plan for the infrastructure needed to support growth and development on the West Plains. The City of Spokane is leading a multi-agency effort to explore these issues, and information will be used by the City and the many partners in the project to include in their Comprehensive Plans and other planning documents.

Besides the City, the project’s partners include Spokane County, the Spokane International Airport, the City of Airway Heights, WSDOT, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Spokane Tribe, the Kalispel Tribe, Spokane Transit Authority, the City of Cheney, the City of Medical Lake, Cheney School District and others.

GSI Asks Legislators To Pass A Transportation Funding Package

Greater Spokane Incorporated,  the area’s Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, is asking for your help. They are writing to encourage people to write to their legislators and encourage them to develop and pass a comprehensive statewide transportation investment and funding package during this 2013 legislative session.

If writing letters isn't your strong point but you believe in the cause, GSI has made it easy for you.  Click here for the online letter-writing feature that lets you fill in a couple spaces a nd it writes the letter for you.

WSDOT Ramping Up Construction Projects

Wow, you can tell it's (pseudo) spring, cause the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is really ramping up it's construction work. Here's what's on tap for next week:

North Spokane Corridor/Francis Avenue Bridge and Intersection Improvements- EXTREMELY HIGH IMPACT!!! Around mid-week, drivers should be alert for changes at the Francis/Market intersection. Left turn movements in all directions will not be allowed for up to two weeks at this location. Southbound drivers on the NSC may want to use the Parksmith off-ramp to access southbound Market Street. Francis is now one lane in each direction at the Market Street Intersection. As a result, drivers should expect congestion and long delays on Francis Avenue and Market Street near the bridge project, especially during morning and afternoon commute hours. Delays are also possible at the Francis and Freya intersection. In addition, westbound motorists on Francis should be alert for flaggers directing traffic near the BNSF railway crossing. The flaggers may be in place during busy travel times to make sure westbound vehicles waiting for the traffic signal don’t block the nearby rail tracks.
I-90/Flora and Greenacres Overpasses- On Wednesday and Thursday, March 13 & 14, from about 9 a.m. until as late as 3 p.m., drivers should be alert for eastbound lane restrictions at the Flora Road overpass for bridge repairs. On Friday, March 15, from about 9 a.m. until as late as 3 p.m., eastbound drivers should be alert for lane restrictions at the Country Vista/Appleway exit overpass.
I-90/Spokane River Bridges- On Wednesday, March 13, from about 9am to as late as 3 pm, drivers should be alert for possible lane restrictions on eastbound and/or westbound I-90 at the Washington/Idaho State line so crews can inspect the new freeway bridges.

US 195/Cheney-Spokane Road Interchange- HIGH IMPACT!! Possibly around mid-week, the southbound off ramp to Cheney-Spokane road will be removed and drivers will need to be alert for southbound highway traffic slowing to make right turns. Drivers should also be alert for lane restrictions on Cheney-Spokane Road at the US 195 intersection with flaggers directing traffic at times. Also, later in the week, depending on weather, the US 195/Inland Empire Way intersection will be closed. Inland Empire Way traffic will be directed to the Thorpe Road intersection. This is a permanent closure to accommodate the new northbound Cheney-Spokane Road on ramp. Special note for bikes: Bicycle riders need to use extreme caution on this section of US 195 and be alert for equipment adjacent to the roadway, turning truck traffic, and other construction-related activities and may wish to seek alternate routes to avoid delays.

Crews in that area are constructing a new full interchange.

Board Agenda For March Meeting

The March SRTC Policy Board meeting is one week from today, Thursday, Mar. 14. Here's the agenda. Look it over and feel free to attend if anything grabs your attention. As always, there's a public comment item included on the agenda in case you have something to say.

Sequestration Means Less Trucks Moving Goods; Higher Prices

Budget-cuts from the government sequester could affect what you pay for produce.


Customs and Border Protection officers regulate trade at the country's 329 ports of entry, in harbors, airports and on land. More winter produce enters the U.S. at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales, AZ than anywhere else.
Cargo from the port also makes its way to Canada and Asia. Up to 1,600 trucks a day come through the port.

With sequestration cuts in effect, though, port officials have to reduce costs. Local officials wouldn't confirm how that's supposed to happen, but it could involve operating the port fewer hours or employing fewer officers to check the trucks waiting to cross the border. Either way, it means less produce getting into the country, more food spoiling and higher prices for the food that does make it across.
NPR has more on the impacts to the economy. And you.

Argonne Road Projects Open House

Holy cow, Spokane County has some big plans for the area around Argonne Road and they wants to hear from you on some of the planned projects at a public open house next week. The projects to be discussed include:

• Pasadena Park Elementary School Sidewalk- existing and future sidewalk projects
• Argonne Rd. Grade Separation Project for the Centennial Trail
• Argonne Rd./Upriver Drive Intersection Congestion Mitigation
• Argonne Rd. Reconstruction- Wellesley to Bigelow Gulch
• Bruce Rd. Preservation Project- Stoneman Rd. to Peone Rd.
• Bruce Rd. Reconstruction Project- Peone Rd. to Day Mt. Spokane Rd.

The open house is Thursday, March 14 from 4-7 p.m. at Pasadena Park Elementary School, 8508 E. Upriver Drive. Because it's an open house format, you can come anytime during the meeting hours and stay as long or as short a time as you would like.

City Asks For Input On Comp Plan Update

The City of Spokane’s Plan Commission will host an open house to gather input from citizens on the 2012-2014 Comprehensive Plan Review and Update. The open house will begin with a presentation on the background of the Comprehensive Plan and the update process at 5:45 p.m.

The City has been working on this update for a number of months. The Comprehensive Plan is a long-range 20-year plan that sets the framework for the physical, social, and economic development of the City. It includes a chapter on transportation, which is specifically what we here at SRTC would like you to take a look at.

The open house is set for:

Wednesday, March 13
5:30 ‐ 7:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers and Chase Gallery
Lower Level, Spokane City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
The March 13 open house follows similar meetings held by the City’s Planning & Development Services Department in February.

TSA To Allow Small Knives, Golf Clubs, Etc. On Flights

In one of the most significant rollbacks of airline rules since 9/11, Transportation Safety Administration officials said they will now allow passengers to carry small knives, golf clubs, hockey sticks and pool cues onto commercial jets.

The policy change, which will take effect April 25, is expected to help align the list of prohibited items on U.S. flights with those of international carriers and cut the time passengers spend going through security screening.

But not everyone is happy with the loosening of restrictions.The L.A. Times says the decision is being criticized by flight attendants and passengers rights groups.

WA Rep Says Bicyclists Cause Pollution By Breathing

Washington state Rep. Ed Orcutt (R–Kalama), a ranking member of the State Transportation Committee, is apologizing this week- for saying that bicyclists cause pollution just by breathing.

Orcutt is in favor of a proposed 5 percent tax on bicycles that cost over $500. When a bike shop owner emailed him to say the tax discourages shoppers from buying local, Orcutt responded that bike riders have an "increased heart rate and respiration," the act of riding a bike "results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider."
The Huffington Post reached out to Orcutt's office and has the story.

Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles of 2013

Looking to buy a new car? I wish! But if you are, fuel efficiency is one of the main things prospective buyers look at these days. With federally mandated fuel-economy standards rising to 35.5 mpg by 2016, automakers are developing more efficient vehicles. For the 2013 model year, buyers have a choice of 18 cars that get an Environmental Protection Agency rating of 35 mpg combined, compared with only four such vehicles in 2008. And that's not even including hybrid or electric cars. So what are the most fuel efficient vehicles this year?
MSN Autos lists the top 18.

Community Workshop On Proposed Spokane Valley Trail

Spokane Valley could be getting a new shared use trail! A community workshop is scheduled for next Monday, March 11 from 4-7 pm at Spokane Valley City Hall (11707 E. Sprague, Suite 101).


The proposed trail would run down the old Milwaukee Right-of-Way, between University Road and Evergreen Road and between Sprague and 4th Avenue. City of Spokane Valley staff members and design planning consultants will be on hand to introduce the project, review maps, and help gather input from the community on:
• The alignment and location of the 12 ft. wide pathway;
• The types of landscaping desired in the surrounding Right-of-Way area;
• The location of convenient access points;
• Amenities to include such as benches, lighting, bike racks or others; and
• Making it a safe place for everyone to enjoy; and other considerations.

The Milwaukee Right-of-Way was set aside to accommodate future transportation needs. An interlocal agreement between Spokane County, which owns the Right-of-Way, and the City of Spokane Valley allows the property to be developed for enjoyment by the community as a trail until it is needed for other transportation purposes.

Tacoma Elementary Students Create Guide To Complete Streets

If you were to ask your child what 'safer streets' mean to them, how do you think they would answer? Two planning interns with the City of Tacoma did that with a class of school children and the project has turned into a partnership between the City, school and other local community organizations and firms.


The project included visioning exercises and charrettes that focused on neighborhood safety and what community meant to elementary school children. As part of these activities, children were asked to illustrate their ideas and these drawings were the inspiration for a complete streets primer specifically for the neighborhood where the school is located, called “35 Ways to Safer Neighborhood Streets”.

For more information, more of the kid's pictures and a look at the primer, check out 'Congress for the New Urbanism's website.

Help WSDOT Find & Patch Potholes On State Highways

The State is getting into the act of patching potholes as well and wants you to know you can report a pothole on state highways by emailing the Washington State Department of Transportationm (WSDOT).

With hundreds of miles of roadway to cover, it's difficult for DOT crews to catch every pothole, so they ask that if you see a pothole on a state highway, send them an e-mail at SpokaneWSDOTPothole@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be very specific about the location and send a photo if you like.

Our region handles all state highways in Spokane, Adams (east of US 395), Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, and Whitman Counties. In Spokane County, that includes north Division Street, west Francis, most of Pines Road in Spokane Valley, and east Trent.