Governor Releases Principles, Action Plan to Guide Transportation Investment

During a news conference yesterday, Governor Inslee announced his guiding principles for a transportation investment bill. The bill will center around creating and sustaining a thriving economic climate that spurs job growth, according to Inslee's camp and four principes will guide investments:

•Jobs.
•Fix it first and maintain what we have.
•Finish what we’ve started and invest in the future.
•Explore new ways of funding a balanced and multimodal system.

Transportation Issues Daily takes a look at these guiding principles and a policy brief outlining an "action plan."

Valleyfest to Include "Cycle Celebration" This Year

Spokane Valley invites you to join them as they celebrate the City of Spokane Valley's Tenth Anniversary with a Bike Ride. The rides are part of the annual summer Valleyfest celebration and there's a route for every skill level, with a route as far as 50 miles and one as few as ten miles:
• 50 Mile "Hills Around the Valley Ride" starting 8:00-8:30AM

• 25 Mile "Adventure Ride" starting at 9:00-9:30AM

• 10Mile "Family Friendly Ride"starting at 9:30-10:00AM

No matter which ride you take, it's $10 per person (including a t-shirt) or $20 per family (up to 4, includes two t-shirts). For more information, to see ride maps, or to register, click here.

Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Next Monday, April 22

April's Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting is next Monday, April 22 at 3 p.m. The agenda and packet is here. And we even have a guest speaker! A planner from Spokane County will make a guest appearance to talk about the Countywide Planning Policies and how they impact and guide SRTC's planning process and work plan. Should be an interesting time, so feel free to attend if you can and are interested.

Deadline To Apply For Board Positions Coming Up

Time is running out to apply for the two open positions on SRTC's Policy Board. We're looking for people interested in volunteer positions that give them a voice in developing local policies, working closely with area decision makers and helping to make transportation choices that shape and develop the regional transportation system.


The two open positions, to be filled with volunteers serving in management or executive level roles at area businesses or organizations, are:
• Representative from a major employer
• Representative from the rail/freight industry

More information can be found at http://www.srtc.org/srtc_board.html, along with the applications to fill out. The deadline to apply is this Friday though, at 4:30 p.m.

 Applications for the available positions are also available there. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 19 at 4:30 p.m.

14th Ave. Construction Project Open House

Residents living along 14th Avenue between Custer St. and Carnahan Rd. may wish to come to a public meeting to learn more about an upcoming road construction project in their area this summer. The public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Apr. 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Park Place Assisted Living Center, 511 S. Park Rd.


Staff members will present project details in the first half of the meeting, and plan on having time for discussion and questions afterward. The project calls for:
• Adding curbs to widen the existing roadway on 14th Ave. between Custer St. and Chronicle Rd. (Work may also include section of 14th Ave. between Chronicle Rd. and Carnahan Rd., pending funding approval);
• Installation of underground stormwater pipe system to improve stormwater drainage;
• Connecting driveways to the edge of the new curb; and
• Possible removal of privately installed improvements in the right of way.

The work is tentatively scheduled to begin in mid-late summer and is estimated to take about 4-8 weeks to complete. The project is 100% funded by Aquifer Protection Area Funds.
There will also be an opportunity at the meeting to review the expected traffic impacts involving some narrowed lanes, detours and restrictions to driveway access. Those affected will be notified in advance. City staff are interested in hearing from residents and working with those who have special circumstances.

Sullivan Road Construction Project Starts Next Week

A road preservation project along Sullivan Rd. between Flora Pit Rd. and Trent Ave. is tentatively scheduled to begin Apr. 22 and may take approximately seven or eight weeks to complete. The project calls for:


• Patch work and resurfacing on Sullivan Rd. from Flora Pit Rd. to Trent Ave;
• Upgrading storm drainage, sidewalk ADA ramps, and signal loops; and
• Installation of a stormwater swale in the grass strip in front of the Sullivan Park parking lot.

Expect Sullivan Rd. between Flora Pit Rd. and Trent Ave. to be reduced to one lane in each direction at various times between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Sullivan Rd. between Kiernan Ave. and Trent Ave. will be closed during night hours, 11 p.m.-7 a.m. weekdays and 8 p.m.-5:30 a.m. on weekends, in approximately the last week of May or first week of June for paving.
The project is 90% funded by Spokane Valley Street Preservation funds and 10% funded by Spokane Valley stormwater funds.

Some City of Spokane Construction Items For This Week

• City Street Department crews will close Strong Rd. at the top of the hill at Rustle St. and Strong Rd. at Indian Trail Rd. on Tuesday and Wedensday, April 16 and 17, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Lane closures on Third Ave. between Spokane and Scott streets are slated through April 15 for private utility work. Closures are possible between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Work to pave a short stretch of 44th Ave. from Ra to Freya has resumed.
• Ohio St./Summit Blvd. from Nettleton St. west to Bridge Ave. will be closed beginning Friday, April 12 for demolition work on the curb/sidewalk in anticipation of the construction of an extension of the Centennial Trail through Kendall Yards.

Open House To Address Gap In Centennial Trail On Mission Avenue

The City of Spokane will hold an open house to update citizens on a study that is considering alternatives to address a gap in the Centennial Trail as it cross East Mission Avenue at North Perry Street. The open house is Wednesday, April 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Assembly Room at the Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St.
The goal of the study is to identify, develop, and evaluate alternatives to separate the Centennial Trail from motorized traffic, improve pedestrian mobility at the Mission Avenue crossing, and close the trail gap at that location. Alternatives that have been considered include tunnels, bridges, and at-grade crossings.
The open house will include information on the preferred alternatives going forward and allow citizens to provide input.
The Centennial Trail runs along the Spokane River beginning at Nine Mile Falls, crossing over the Washington/Idaho state line, and ending at Higgins Point on Lake Coeur d’Alene. A number of gaps along the trail remain.

Maps on Phones: Illegal While Driving. Paper Maps: Still Legal. What??

So what's the difference? Is holding one of those old style, fold out maps while driving better than holding your phone and looking at a map on it? A California court says yes.
A man is fighting over a $160 distracted driving ticket he got for viewing a map on his phone while sitting at a red light. He asked in court if he would have gotten the same ticket for looking at a paper map and was told no, which has set off debates as to whether you can even hold your phone while driving and whether distracted driving laws should be changed. The Santa Maria Times has the story.

Because the statute of limitations has long since run out, I'm going to share a story with you that supports this man's argument. Years and years ago, a friend and I were trying to navigate I-5 in busy rush hour traffic. We were actually going pretty fast for rushhour and my friend had a paper map spread across the steering wheel, trying to determine what exit we needed. Quicker than he could react, the map was sucked out the open window!

After the some initial swearing, and realizing that we had passed the exit we needed, we got off the freeway and got back on going the opposite direction to find the correct exit. Right about the spot where the map had blown out, there was a big accident with several cars involved in a chain reaction pileup. I don't know for sure that the map caused it, but sometimes I suspect it landed on someone's windshield, causing them to drive into the person in front of them.

So, long story short, in my experience, a paper map isn't necessarily a safer option than looking at your phone. Although I don't endorse either option of course. And yes, I still feel guilty about the whole thing, warranted or not.

Spokane Valley Construction Work For Next Week

24th Ave from Adams Rd to Sullivan Rd. - Expect narrowed lanes on weekdays between 7am and 5pm through mid-May for sidewalk work. Flaggers and signs will direct traffic through the work area.


Park Road - Reduced to one lane about 100 feet south of Valleyway on Tuesday, April 16 for utility work from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Signs and flaggers will direct traffic through the work area.

Pines Road between Alki Avenue and Olive Avenue - Expect Pines to remain reduced to one lane in each direction between 7:00am and 7:00pm on Monday, April 15 for stormwater drainage improvements. There will be no access between Alki and northbound Pines Road. Use Bowdish/Broadway for alternative access.

Sprague/Sullivan ITS project -Nothbound curb lane closures on Sullivan between Sprague and I-90 from 6am to 5pm Monday, April 15 through Thursday, April 18 or signal conduit work. Access to businesses will remain available throughout the project.

Nonstop Flights From Spokane to Hawaii To Be Temporarily Suspended

The Spokesman-Review reports that Allegiant Air plans to “temporarily” halt flights to Hawaii from Spokane and several other U.S. cities, including Boise and Eugene. The last Spokane flight to Honolulu will leave on Aug. 10.

Allegiant launched the weekly nonstop flights to Hawaii from Spokane in February. The Las Vegas-based airline said the seasonal suspension of flights from Boise, Eugene, Phoenix, Fresno, Stockton and Santa Maria, CA is related to declining travel during the late summer and fall.

The flights to and from Hawaii are expected to resume in the winter and during the busy spring season.

US 2 Reduced to One Lane Next Week

On Monday, April 15, from about 9 a.m. to as late as 3 p.m., westbound US 2 will be reduced to one through lane at the Geiger Blvd. bridges for bridge maintenance. On Wednesday, April 17, from about 9 a.m. to as late as 3 p.m., eastbound US 2 will be reduced to one through lane at the Geiger Blvd. bridges. Drivers may see some slower traffic during these hours.

I90 Overpass Public Workshop

Spokane Valley will host a public workshop next week to disucss a proposed overpass crossing Interstate-90 along or near University Rd. The aim of the overpass is to improve car, bike and pedestrian access. As part of the University Rd. Overpass Study, Public Works staff want to hear what community members think about the project. The workshop is Wednesday, April 17 from 6-8 pm at the Spokane Valley Fire Administration Building, 2120 N. Wilbur Road.
Public Works staff members will discuss and present details on:
• The goals of the study;
• Types of crossings, estimated cost, environmental impact, and the feasibility of an overpass;
• The most current findings on traffic counts and patterns;
• Possible crossing locations;
• Improvement ideas for existing crossings; and
• Interviews from land owners, business people and agency staff.

Everyone is welcome to participate and share their ideas about the project and get answers to questions, so show up with some thoughts in mind.

Some Input I Heard At Last Night's Open House

I don't know this woman's name but
she was so fun to talk with and had
great input.

So I've been to a TON of public open houses and meetings over the years, both in a working capacity and as a concerned citizen. I have to say that last night's open house with Spokane Transit was one of the best though.

There was such a huge crowd that both our planner Ryan and I were busy talking to someone the entire time! Had I known, I would have roped another employee into coming with us.

We got lots of great input too. Last night seemed to be the evening for safety concerns- at least among the people I talked to. I talked to a nice lady about trying to get a crosswalk in front of the Goodwill store downtown. Another woman commented on the incidence of pedestrians being hit by cars in Airway Heights and a gentleman had concerns with a couple blind corners around there area.

While there were a lot of familiar faces attending the open house, I also talked to a lot of people I've never seen before. One woman from Boston was telling me how she and her husband didn't have a car while going to school in Boston and how it's shaped their worldview, especially now that they're living in Spokane. Another told me about her recent trip to Portland and riding the lightrail. And a third told me about her knee surgery. Well, believe it or not, it's applicable as it impacts what kind of transportation options are available to her.

Anyway, nice job planning and publicizing such a great event Spokane Transit! And the food was awesome too.

Follow Along And You'll Reach the Prize Toward the Bottom

So those of you who are REALLY into transportation may remember the discussions a few years back leading up to the 2010 Census on Core Based Statistical Areas. Well, we just got new information on this from the Census and there are some changes for our area. This is complicated so first, a little background:
Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) are an umbrella term for Metro and Micropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), Combined Statistical Areas (CSA), and a few other terms that don’t particularly apply to our area.

These areas (CBSAs, MSAs, CSAs) exist only for the purpose of statistical boundaries. I say this because their impact on policy importance is sometimes exaggerated.

MSAs are built by county, and the level of interaction with neighboring counties can create MSAs made up of numerous counties. In 2000, Spokane County made up the Spokane MSA and Kootenai County made up the Coeur d’Alene MSA.

Going to the next level, Combined Statistical Areas are made up of separate MSAs, that have a high enough level of interaction to create an additional area (CSA). Now here's the hook: while there was considerable conversation about Spokane and Coeur d’Alene's MSA becoming a Combined Statistical Area in 2000, this did not occur.
We have also just found out however, that based on 2010 info, Kootenai County will continue to make up the Coeur d’Alene MSA. Spokane's MSA has grown though, to include Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, to make up the Spokane MSA. All four of these counties make up the “Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d’Alene, WA-ID” Combined Statistical Area.

So what does this mean for us? Technically, nothing. Ultimately, as I said above, these are simply boundaries used for gathering statistical data. It is possible being a CSA will bring this area to the attention of businesses because we technically show up as a larger market now than in the past, but this is really the only impact expected as a result.

Questions? Did you follow along? Clear as mud? There are some maps that can probably help to clarify, posted on our blog site.

AK Town Proposes To Make Walking on Public Streets While Intoxicated A Crime

So you've had a few drinks and need to get home now. So how do you do it, jump in a car or take the "safe" route and walk home? Well, conventional wisdom suggests walking but a small town in Alaska says if you've been drinking, they don't want you on their streets as a pedestrian and are proposing to amend the town's public decency ordinance to prohibit walking on public streets while intoxicated.


Okay, no one likes to see a drunk staggering around, I'll give them that, but worried walking advocates say this might encourage intoxicated folks to get in a car instead. Where the Sidewalk Starts looks at the issue.

Train Nearly Severs Man's Legs

Okay kids, reason number 1 not to hop trains, from the Spokesman-Review: A man trying to jump onto a moving train in Spokane Valley on Monday slipped and fell under the boxcar, nearly severing his legs.


The 30-year-old man was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. It was unclear if medical personnel were going to be able to reattach his legs.

The train, which doesn’t reach more than 20 or 25 mph in that area, was coming to a stop when the man fell beneath the car.

Your Luggage Has A Better Chance Of Getting Where You're Going These Days

There's good news and there's bad news when it comes to your bags on airlines. The good news: airlines cut the rate of mishandled and lost bags in 2012 by almost 48%! The bad news: some of that drop is due to the fact that airlines are flying less flights AND handling less bags. With airlines now charging fees for your bags, many people are making due with just what they can carry on.

But there is evidence of increased effort to safely get your bag to the same place you're going, and there's new technology being used to make this happen. USA Today has the story.

Park Board To Look At How To Fund Centennial Trail Extention

The Centennial Trail is about to get a significant expansion. Work starts soon to extend the trail west along the Spokane River gorge near Kendall Yards.


There is currently a gap between Riverfront Park and where it meets up with T.J. Meenach Bridge, but this expansion will close at least a portion of the gap.

The only question now is how to cover the remaining gap. On Thursday, the Spokane Park Board will consider financing packages that will be used to finish the trail in Kendall Yards.

The Spokesman-Review has more details.

"Lost In Thought" Tops Phones As A Cause Of Fatal Accidents

You know how sometimes you drive someplace and when you get there you realize you've been spacing out the whole time and don't even remember the trip there? Oh come on, it happens to other people besides me, admit it! Anyway, new statistics show that drivers involved in fatal crashes were more often "lost in thought" than distracted by mobile phones, so try not to space out like that anymore.

Daydreaming and being “lost in thought" was the distraction 62 percent of the time, compared with 12 percent for mobile-phone use, according to an analysis of national crash data. The Bulletin has more on this and some other surprising statistics.