For The Tenth Time- It's Not A Vacation, It's Job Training

Just a note that blog posts may be few and far between over the next couple weeks. I'll be out of town for some job training (not sure it will be like in the picture though). I'll try to post stuff as time becomes available, but in the meantime, Jeff Selle will be your 'guest blogger' but he's pretty tied up with some big assignments so not sure how much time he'll have to devote to it.

Writer Suggests Second Tier To Cash For Clunkers Program

Spokesman-Review Letters To The Editor
Expand clunker program

Nice article on the $4,500 clunker program a couple days ago. The pictured pickup is way better than what a lot of people own and drive. Why did the powers that be not consider a second tier program? Would it not make sense to give this truck to someone that is driving a real clunker? Sure it would take some thought and work to make it work. The way it is people will be turning in a lot of vehicles that would be a definite step up for many folks.
Get rid of the real junkers like the Nissan diesel wagon I watched belching and bouncing its way down Seltice in Post Falls recently. Take it in even trade for a much better vehicle. The owners of a lot of the real clunkers cannot afford to buy anything better than what they currently drive.

Dennis Stoeser
Newman Lake

What's your opinion of the Cash for Clunkers program? I 'm not sure how effective it's going to be because, even though you get $4,500 for your car, YOU STILL HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON A NEW CAR so you're not coming out ahead financially.

SR 206 Work Begins Friday

Work is expected to start Friday, July 31st on a project to pave SR 206 from the junction of US 2 to Bruce Road.

Drivers on SR 206 may be delayed due to pilot car operation and congestion. There are also possible short term closures on SR 206 at the Bruce Road roundabout when the paving operations are adjacent to that intersection.

Beginning Monday August 3 at 7:00 p.m. until Thursday morning around 6:00 a.m., SR 206 will be closed from the US 2 intersection to Yale Road, for an accelerated grinding and paving operation in this segment.

Some Items From The City Of Spokane

· The intersection of Wellesley Ave. and Market St. will have lane reductions and obstruction from Saturday, Aug. 1, through Monday, Aug. 3. Crews will be working on a water main. Flaggers will be in place.

· Traffic signals at the intersection of Lincoln St. and 14th Avenue will not be operational until August 14, while crews upgrade the signal standards. Four-way stop signs are in place.

· Browne St. from Spokane Falls Blvd. to Main Ave. will have pedestrian and parking restrictions until August 20. Crews will doing underground utility work.

Freya Street Bridge Closes Saturday

Another reminder: the Freya Street Bridge closes to ALL traffic for approximately one year starting this Saturday, Aug. 1, at about 7 p.m. The bridge is being replaced and is expected to reopen in the summer of 2010. This project will replace the two side-by-side bridges with a single structure going over the railroad lines just north of Broadway Ave. F

reya St. will be closed from Trent to Alki avenues. Motorists will be detoured around the closure to Broadway Ave, Fancher Rd., and Trent Ave. Freya St. will remain open to local traffic, allowing access to the businesses along the project.

The $9.5 million project is being funded by Bridge Replacement Money, the Freight Mobility Street Improvement Board, and the City of Spokane.

Report A Signal That Doesn't 'Detect' Your Bike

This past legislative session, a bill was passed that requires the Washington State Department of Transportation to adjust vehicle-activated traffic control signals that don't detect bikes and motorcycles.

Part of the bill reads: “During routine maintenance or monitoring activities, but subject to the availability of funds: All existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals that do not currently routinely and reliably detect motorcycles and bicycles must be adjusted to do so to the extent that the existing equipment is capable consistent with safe traffic control. Priority must be given to existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals for which complaints relating to motorcycle or bicycle detection have been received and existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals that are otherwise identified as a detection problem for motorcyclists or bicyclists, or both. Jurisdictions operating existing vehicle-activated traffic control signals shall establish and publicize a procedure for filing these complaints in writing or by e-mail, and maintain a record of these complaints and responses”.

As a result, the Washington State Department of Transportation is looking for comments from bicyclists and motorcycle drivers who notice when traffic signals don't “detect” them. You can submit your comments, or get more information,here or in writing at WSDOT Ombudsman P. O. Box 47327 Olympia, WA 98504-7327.

Drop In RV Sales Hurting Economy Even More

We've heard a lot about the economy hurting car sales, auto production plants, and unemployment rates in general. But what we haven't heard much about is how the poor economy is hurting RV sales, which in turn also takes a toll on the unemployment rate.

RV sales have dropped 65% from their peak just a few years ago, and predictions are that hundreds of RV dealers will go under in the coming year. Here's more on that from MSNBC.

North Monroe Walk Audit Report

On June 9, A 'non-motorized' group I'm involved in gathered to conduct a walk audit of historic North Monroe Street. A walkability audit is an evaluation of the walking environment that identifies safety, access, and convenience concerns for pedestrians. Audits also identify potential solutions, such as engineering treatments, policy changes, or education and enforcement measures.

Margie Hall, from the City of Spokane's Planning Department, was kind enough to compile our results into a report that you can read right here. It's easy and interesting reading so look it over and give me your opinion of Monroe Street.

STP Application Deadline Extended

SRTC has just extended the deadline for the 2009 Call for Projects for allocation of Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding for the years 2011-2012.

Applications are now due on Monday, Sept. 14.

There is approximately $10 million in STP funding this year. As with any call for projects, the purpose is to identify, prioritize, and select projects for funding as funds become available.

Here's a link to the SRTC website for more information and application forms.

Writer Says Meadowlane Just As Bad As Cheney-Spokane

Spokesman-Review Letter to the Editor
Intersection dangerous

Regarding “U.S. 195 crossing will get exit lane” (July 27), the intersection of Meadowlane Road and U.S. 195 has almost as bad a history by now as the Cheney-Spokane Road intersection. It was the site of a recent car-motorcyle accident that killed one, if not two persons.
That intersection is very bad and clearly, as it is now, a second accident waiting to happen. When westbound on Meadowlane, the sight distance is complicated by very poor views of northbound traffic on U.S. 195, as well as from eastbound Meadowlane and northbound traffic waiting to turn either north or south on U.S. 195, not to mention southbound traffic turning east toward Qualchan or toward Eagle Ridge.
Currently, much of Eagle Ridge development uses eastbound Meadowlane, as does a par 3 golf course. From westbound Meadowlane, about 75 houses (typically 6-8 vehicle
trips per day) and Qualchan Golf Course use the intersection.
Additionally, two major churches are under construction, one on each side of U.S. 195, at this intersection. One of these churches is slated to be the site of a major day care center. All churches are the source of many day and night time meetings, additionally adding to the near-future traffic burden at this intersection.
The intersection of Meadowlane Road and U.S. 195 needs equal or more attention than Cheney-Spokane Road.

Thomas G. Mosher
Spokane

I have a couple friends who live in Eagle Ridge so I've used Meadowlane Road many times. I thought it was a little scary but was never in fear for my life. How about you folks out there who drive through the area on a daily basis?

Urban Mobility Report 2009

Thanks to Michael Keller for providing a link to some info I blogged about yesterday. There was a graph in yesterday's USA Today about congestion on America's highways and where Spokane fit in. I couldn't find a link to it, or a paper to scan. Michael sent me a link to the source material though, so here's where you can check out the Urban Mobility Report 2009 produced by the Texas Transportation Institute. Some interesting reading.

SRTC July Newsletter Available Now

Two things:

- I'm a little irritated because I recieved a text message this morning at 7 a.m. on my personal phone promoting the Cash for Clunkers program. Not sure who it was from so how do they get my personal info??

- You've been waiting for it and now it's here (that's sarcasm, by the way). The July issue of the SRTC newsletter is available. Click here to see what we've been up to this summer and
email me if you want to be added to our newsletter distribution list.

Washington ARRA Work Doubled From May To June

A news release from the WSDOT:

New employment data from state and local highway contractors showed Recovery Act work in Washington state doubled from May to June as more projects get awarded and underway. Work to deliver Washington’s recovery act highway projects is shifting into high gear, as $492 million in stimulus funding makes its way off the balance sheet and onto the road.

With more state and local stimulus projects now under construction, contractors have increased their hours worked with payroll and labor hours doubling from May to June. The employment data shows workers on Recovery Act-funded projects logged nearly 58,000 labor hours in June, compared to just under 29,000 hours in May. At an average salary of $38 per hour, workers are continuing to support their families and the economy.

As of July 29, three ARRA highway projects in Washington state are substantially complete. The I-90 Yakima River to west Ellensburg Paving project finished ahead of schedule and on budget. Paving projects in the city of Conconully and in Garfield county are also complete. Washington currently has 106 projects that have been awarded to contractors or currently under construction. A total of 159 projects have been advertised to date.

As a whole, WSDOT has obligated $244.5 million (71%) of $344.6 million, with funds now obligated to 33 of 36 individual state projects. Local governments have obligated 84.4% of local funds, or $128.4 million of $152.1 million. Agencies have until March 1, 2010 to obligate the rest.

The Federal Highway Administration provided $492 million for state and local highway projects in Washington state, advancing projects and jobs to address high-priority highway preservation needs and fund low-cost, high-benefit transportation system improvements. According to the American Association of Surface Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), every $1 spent to preserve a road enables agencies to avoid spending $6-$14 to rebuild one that has deteriorated.

Washington state will deliver more highway projects with federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds than first envisioned, thanks to the recent trend toward lower construction bids. Between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009, WSDOT awarded 172 contracts, 150 of which came in less than the engineers’ estimate. The average amount below the estimate for these 172 contracts was 17 percent. As of July 27, WSDOT has awarded 26 state stimulus projects worth 128.1 million. In total those projects have come in under the engineer’s estimate by 20 percent. Contractor bids on city and county stimulus projects around the state are also coming in lower than expected, allowing local agencies to deliver an additional $20 million in highway construction projects.

A Reminder From The WSDOT

There are two major asphalt paving projects on US 395 in Stevens County. The first is from just north of Deer Park to Loon Lake. The second is from Loon Lake to Immel Road, about five-miles north of Chewelah. There are different contractors for each job as they were bid separately. Consequently, drivers will experience delays on both projects, possibly at multiple locations, as different phases of each job may be taking place.

Drivers need to expect delays and add extra time to their trip planning, especially commuters from Colville, Chewelah, and Loon Lake, to jobs in Spokane and motorists from those communities with time sensitive appointments or obligations.

Because of the rural nature of this area, there are not efficient alternate routes. In addition, this is a heavily-traveled corridor so congestion and delays of up to 20minutes at the various work locations may be possible.

USA Today Says Spokane Has '4th Least' Road Congestion

Paul Kropp sent me a heads up that there is a Spokane mention in today's USA Today. Neither he nor I can find it on their website though, and when I ran down to the lobby to grab a copy, the box was empty!

I don't have time to run to the store at lunch today so I'm going to take his word on this (I'd say Paul's a pretty good source) and let him describe it as he did in his email to me (why do work when I can get someone else to do it for me?):

Today's USA Today has a Snapshot graphic below the fold on the left side that portrays "Cities with least road congestion in peak hours": Spokane is shown as 4th least (17%) of "metro areas with the lowest percentage of rush- hour travelers stuck in traffic jams." The source cited is the Texas Transportation Institute.

Thanks Paul! Now I need a little help finishing up my annual Title VI review, got any extra time on your hands?

Cash For Clunkers- What You Need To Know

I haven't seen much in the print media lately, but the local TV news programs are going kind of crazy (especially the morning shows) over the 'Cash for Clunkers' program.

The 'Consumer Assistance Recycle and Save' Act (also known as 'CARS' or 'Cash for Clunkers') is a $1 billion program that will provide a voucher of up to $4,500 to help offset the cost of new car purchases or leases until November.

While the program is getting a lot of attention though, there are some definete drawbacks, such as if a car is worth more than the voucher for which it qualifies the driver would be better off just taking the regular trade-in value. And vouchers don’t come as an addition to trade-in values because cars brought in under the cash-for-clunkers program have to be scrapped, so their trade-in value is essentially zero.

Plus, it's a stretch of the imagination to believe that someone driving around in a car that’s worth less than $4,500 is going to want the payments that come with a new car. There’s a reason they’re driving that car and a $4,500 discount isn't going to do much to change that.

If you're not turned off by any of that though and are interested in more details, here are some of the requirements:

- Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date
- Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify
- Generally, trade-in vehicles must get 18 or less MPG (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements)
- Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in
- You don't need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase
- Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
- The program requires the scrapping of your eligible trade-in vehicle, and that the dealer disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in. The scrap value, however minimal, will be in addition to the rebate, and not in place of the rebate.

For even more details, the government has set upthe cars.gov website to answer questions on the 'Cash for Clunkers' program.

Bicyclist Injured In Crash

A 55-year-old bicyclist was injured when his bike collided with a pickup Monday night in Spokane Valley.

At about 7:30 p.m., Guy Werner was southbound on his mountain bike in the northbound lane of Pines Road, police said. A Ford F150, driven by Gregory J. Cozza, stopped at the intersection of Pines and Fourth Avenue. As Cozza drove west into the intersection, his truck collided with Werner, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Werner was not wearing a helmet, WSP reported. He was transported to Valley Hospital, where his condition was unavailable Monday night.

It seems like pedestrian-versus-vehicle and motorcylce-versus-vehicle accidents have been the trend lately, but I've been hearing about a lot more bicycle-versus-vehicle accidents too. This is why you need a helmet folks.

Mark Your Calendar

Mark your calendar, because we're working with the Spokane Regional Health District and the YMCA/YWCA to bring renowned walking advocate and engineer Mark Fenton to Spokane for a day of education. Click the attached image to view in a larger format, or email me here for more info.

37th To Get 'Sharrows'

With the passage of the City of Spokane’s new Master Bike Plan, along with new interest in cycling in our community, the City is adding “sharrows” on Southeast Blvd. and 37th Ave. as part of this summer’s construction work to allow bikes and cars to get along better.

Sharrows are pavement markings installed within travel lanes designed to alert motorists that they are sharing the street with bicyclists and to help bicyclists position themselves in lanes to allow motorists to safely pass them.

These markings have been used successfully in other cities across the country, including Seattle, Bellevue, and Portland. In Spokane, the new markings will be unveiled when Southeast Blvd. and 37th Ave. reopen to traffic. Southeast Blvd. opens later this month, with 37th Ave. to follow mid-October, and other streets in the future.

On the Southeast Blvd., which is being rehabilitated from 29th Ave. to Perry St., the sharrows will be placed between 27th and 29th avenues connecting the existing dedicated bike lanes on the street. On 37th Ave., which is being rehabilitated from Perry to Regal streets, the installation of the sharrows, placed the length of the project, will improve bicycle safety and usage along this corridor.

To use a sharrow:

Bicyclists:

· Use the sharrow to guide where you ride within the lane – generally through the center of the sharrow when safe to do so.
· Remember not to ride too close to parked cars – watch for opening doors.
· Ride in the same direction as traffic.
· Be aware of your surroundings, and follow the rules of the road.

Drivers:

· Expect to see bicyclists in the travel lane.
· Pass to the left of the cyclist, using the adjacent travel lane. Remain behind the cyclist until it is safe to pass.
· Yield to on-coming bicyclists when turning and look right/behind you when making a right-hand turn.
· Be aware of your surroundings, and follow the rules of the road.

US 195 Getting Seperate Exit Lane

The scary intersection of US 195 and Cheney-Spokane Road is getting the exit lane that neighbors have been asking for. Here's the story from the Spokesman's 'Getting There' column.