Spokane Valley Construction Update

4th Avenue between Sullivan Road and Conklin Road- Closed from 7am to 5pm on Monday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 5 for sewer line connection.


Sprague Avenue/Fancher Road Intersection- Sprague eastbound and Fancher southbound remain reduced through about noon on Sunday, June 3 for utility upgrades. Expect congestion.

Sprague Avenue - Evergreen to Sullivan Reconstruction Project- Traffic impacts and areas of construction will vary during four construction phases through mid-August. See below for details:

• First phase May 21 through early June - North side of Sprague between Sullivan and 14900 block of Sprague Avenue.

o Sprague Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction with a center turn lane around the clock.

o North side of Sprague/Progress intersection closed; use Adams or Sullivan Road to Valleyway Avenue for local access.

University Road between 4th Avenue and 16th Avenue- Curb lane closures in both directions at different times from Wednesday, June 6 through Friday, June 8 for resurfacing.
8000 Block of E Riverway Avenue- Delays and minor congestion due to heavy equipment in the area.

MLK Jr. Way Now Officially Open

Hundreds of people, including elected officials, leaders within the African-American community, students, and construction contractors, attended today’s opening ceremony for Martin Luther King Jr. Way through the heart of the University District, according to a news release from the City of Spokane.


During the celebration, Mayor Condon presented keys to the City to both the Rev. Percy “Happy” Watkins and Ivan Bush, long-time organizers of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity March and Rally, as well as community leaders in the area of equal rights. Rev. Watkins and Mr. Bush are stepping down from their roles as organizers of the annual march.

The ceremony also included remarks from a dozen speakers, a performance by the Grant Elementary School drummers and dancers, classic cars from the 1950s and 60s, and a song performed by Martin Herford. Herford’s selection also was sung at Dr. King’s funeral and the opening of the monument in his honor in Washington, D.C., last year.

At the ceremony’s end, the crowd released balloons and dignitaries took the first ride down the new street in classic cars provided by the H.A.S.S.I.E. car club. The street opened to regular traffic at about 1 p.m.

The new street features complete streets elements including bike lanes, street trees, wide sidewalks, and an elevated median, it reduces vehicular traffic on Spokane Falls Boulevard and helps slow traffic in the center of the Riverpoint campus, creating an inviting setting in the University District. Phase II of this project, planned for 2013, will run from Sherman St. east along the Spokane River, under the Hamilton Street Bridge to Perry St. and Trent Avenue. 

WSDOT Construction Update

North Spokane Corridor/Parksmith Interchange- Beginning today, Thursday, May 31, through Friday, June 8th, on weekdays, Market Street near Stoneman Road will be reduced to a single-lane with flaggers directing traffic during daytime hours. There is a possibility of longer delays of up to 20 minutes. Drivers should expect delays. In general, Stoneman Road is now closed to through traffic east of Market to the BNSF tunnel. Through traffic is detoured to the north via Parksmith Dr. to Peone Rd. then back to Market.
North Spokane Corridor/Francis to Farwell-Southbound Lanes- High traffic impact! Freya Street is closed to all traffic between the NSC Roundabout and Lincoln Road. The official detour for access to Fairview Road, Lincoln Road, Gerlach Road, plus businesses and residences on Freya in this area is from the north via Freya Street from Market Street. This closure may be in place until early July during construction of the second roundabout. Access to the NSC on Freya from Francis remains open. In other work, Bridge and grading items are still under way.
North Spokane Corridor/US 2 to Wandermere-Lanes and Bridges- Over the next week, drivers should be alert for possible lane restrictions or detours on US 395 in the vicinity of the new Wandermere bridges as the contractor moves traffic over to the final configuration. Work is very dependent on weather.

US 195/Cheney-Spokane Road to I-90- Crews are working on the sign bridge over the northbound lanes near Inland Empire Way. Drivers should be alert for intermittent lane restrictions in that area. In general, work continues on this electronic system installation project. Drivers should watch for crews working near the shoulders. Drivers should watch for shoulder and intermittent lane restrictions.

SR 290-Trent Avenue/Bridge Repair- On Saturday, June 2, beginning at 8:30 p.m. until as late as 6 a.m. the following morning, Trent Avenue just east of Hamilton Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction with flaggers directing traffic so that crews can repair the bridge deck. Possible short delays.

Next Phase of NSC Opening Soon!

This is big news! You're invited to a brief ceremony on Wednesday, June 13 at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the next phase of the North Spokane Corridor (NSC). The event will take place on the northbound lanes of the NSC just north of Farwell Road, which you can access from Farwell Road.


Two bridges were built at the north end of the route (near the Wandermere Golf Course) and a four-lane section of divided concrete freeway linking the NSC with US 395. A fully paved pedestrian and bicycle path parallels the new freeway, connecting to other trails along the route.

You will be able to enter the NSC from US 395 via a direct connection, traveling at freeway speeds. This means we will now have traffic flowing on the northern five miles of the 10-mile NSC.

Funding for this $38 million project came from the transportation package passed by the 2003 Legislature. Graham Construction and Management of Spokane is the prime contractor.

Now For A Lesson In Some Apparently Mistaken Items

I saw this picture on the Where the Sidewalk starts blog, with the caption "Maybe it's time to plant a few more street trees in Woodland Hills?"
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

And this item was sent to me by a friend travelling across the state who saw it at the Ryegrass rest area. My work here is done- consider yourself educated.

SRTC At Spokane Summer Parkways Sunday

Cancel whatever plans you had for this Sunday, June 3, and come see me at the Summer Parkways event. You know you were just going to be lying on the couch watching Nascar anyway. 

Spokane Summer Parkways is an idea inspired by an event in Bogota, Colombia called Ciclovia (meaning “bike path” in Spanish) and similar events in other parts of the world. The focus is on recreation, fitness, and community. Four miles of roadway will be closed to automobiles and the streets opened to bikes, pedestrians, skaters, and other human-powered transportation.

This Sunday's Summer Parkway takes place in the Garry/Logan neighborhood.

You can find a map of the route and other information about the event here. It's from noon to 3 p.m.

There will also be physical fitness activities along the route like yoga, Zumba, hula hoops, tai chi, fencing, dancing, Pilates, self defense, jump rope, hacky sack, and martial arts. You're also encouraged to bring your own games and hobbies along (e.g. picnics, music, chalk art, hopscotch, bubbles, juggling, jump rope, etc).

Unfortunately, I won't be there sporting my awesome Britney Spears roller skates, but I will be talking to people about Horizon 2040, SRTC's Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). We're required to update our MTP every four years and it's a major undertaking that is best completed with a LOT of public input. The MTP is a long-term plan for the region's transportation system for the next 20+ years. Since a lot of people have a lot of different ideas about they'd like to see our transportation network develop between now and 2040, we like to get out into the community and talk to you about your ideas.

I'm hoping to set up my table somewhere near Mission Park, so come find me and give me your thoughts.

Spokane Valley Council Debate What Roads To Fix First

Spokane Valley engineers are moving forward on a City Council mandate to preserve city streets, but there is some disagreement between Councilmembers as to what streets should be fixed first. .

The Spokane Valley News Herald has the story.

Letter Writer Says Parking Choking Downtown

Spokesman-Review Letter to the Editor
Diamond choking downtown


While the Downtown Spokane Partnership laments retailer moves to the Valley (April 28), many city dwellers avoid downtown for a simple reason: Diamond Parking. This operation has cornered most of the private parking space downtown and squeezes hard, especially at evening events.

It might cost $15 to attend an event but Diamond, with no other parking available, will double its rates to $10 for a parking space. With no bus service downtown at night and early closure of a large, and reasonable, major parking garage – what a coincidence! – a monopolistic and predatory parking situation has developed, and it’s choking downtown.

Art McGinn
Spokane

What's your thoughts on the topic of parking downtown?

Bicyclist Hit By SUV

A man in his 60’s was hit by an SUV while riding a bicycle at North Columbia Circle and North Park Boulevard near the Downriver Golf Course Monday, according to the Spokesman-Review.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. Sources say the bicyclists didn't have a heartbeat when paramedics arrived, but they were able to get a heartbeat and a faint pulse before the man was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center for treatment. I haven't been able to find any further information on the bicyclists condition. 

Help Build The U.S. Bicycle Route System

May is National Bicycle Month and it’s also the third annual Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. fundraising campaign for the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). What better way to celebrate Bike Month than by supporting the creation of a national system of cycling routes?


The U.S. Bicycle Route System is a project similar to our national highway system- only for bikes.

Here's more information on it and what has already been accomplished.

Light Rail Accused of Driving Minorities Out of A Puget Sound Neighborhood

A new report says many Rainier Valley residents on Washington's West side are being priced out of their neighborhood- thanks to the addition of light rail in their community.


The community and labor advocacy group Puget Sound Sage says a Sound Transit light-rail line completed in 2009 has dramatically increased property values and raised rents near stations, thereby hastening gentrification and displacement in one of Puget Sound's most racially diverse neighborhoods.

The report is apparently a big surprise to light-rail advocates who lobbied for the line partly to provide working-class folks an affordable transportation option.The Stranger has the full story.

WA Ranked Country's Most Bike-Friendly State

For the fifth year straight, Washington ranked as the country's most bicycle-friendly state, according to the League of American Bicyclists.


The advocacy group's Bicycle Friendly State Program ranks the states each year under a series of criteria, from laws and regulations that govern bicycling to policies for accommodating cyclists and infrastructure funding. And this CNN Living article says our Complete Streets program helped Washington earn the top spot.

Columbia Ave. Project Starts Tuesday

Construction on the City of Spokane's Columbia Avenue project starts Tuesday, May 29. This project will rehabilitate Columbia Ave. from Post to Division streets and surrounding residential streets including Atlantic St. from Joseph to Columbia avenues; Calispel St. from Joseph to Francis avenues; Franklin Ct. from Calispel to Atlantic streets; Howard St. from Rowan to Joseph avenues; Joseph, Nebraska, and Columbia avenues from Post to Division streets; Normandie St. from Nebraska to Dalke avenues; Post St. from Rowan to Dalke avenues; Rowan Ave. from Wall to Whitehouse streets; and Stevens, Washington, and Whitehouse streets from Rowan to Columbia avenues. Columbia, Nebraska, and Joseph avenues will be closed  off of Division St. Drivers will be detoured to Queen and Central avenues.
The $2.6 million project is being funded by the 10-Year Street Bond and Wastewater Department

WSDOT Construction Alerts

Most WSDOT construction work will be suspended by noon tomorrow through Monday in anticipation of increased holiday traffic. Long term restrictions are still in place on US 395 just north of Spokane where the highway is reduced to one lane in each direction for about ½ mile. Most of the other projects underway on state highways in the Eastern Region will not affect Memorial Day weekend holiday travel.



North Spokane Corridor/Francis to Farwell-Southbound Lanes
HIGH IMPACT!! Freya Street is closed to all traffic between the NSC Roundabout and Lincoln Road. Access to Fairview Road, Lincoln Road, Gerlach Road, plus businesses and residences in the area is via Freya Street from Market Street. This closure may be in place until early July during construction of the second roundabout. Access to the NSC on Freya from Francis remains open. In other work, Bridge and grading items are still under way. Possible intermittent lane restrictions on the NSC.

North Spokane Corridor/Parksmith Interchange
Beginning Thursday, May 31, through Friday, June 8th, on weekdays, Market Street will be reduced to a single-lane with flaggers directed traffic during daytime hours. Drivers should expect short delays. In general, Stoneman Road is now closed to through traffic east of Market to the BNSF tunnel. Through traffic is detoured to the north via Parksmith Dr. to Peone Rd. then back to Market. This is a long-term closure and detour. Also, Parksmith Road remains closed west of Market Street. Hawthorne Road to Market Street is the alternate route for that closure. No traffic impacts are expected on the NSC.

London Accused of Rigging Traffic Lights To Win Olympic Bid

A Vanity Fair article accuses London of rigging it's traffic lights- in order to impress the International Olympic Committee (IOC) assessing the city's bid for the 2012 games.

According to a Vanity Fair article, London's Olympic bid team were concerned that the IOC would be put off the bid if it became stuck in traffic on the way to venues. So, a plan was hatched to track the cars carrying IOC members using GPS, then change the lights as the cars approached intersections.

International Business Times has the story. I've heard only a small amount of outcry on this story, from some people who say this was 'cheating.' What's your take?

Spokane City Councilmember Snyder Talks Photo Red On Local TV Show

Spokane City Councilmember Jon Snyder talks with TV show 'Comcast Newsmakers' about the Photo Red Program and what the money raised for red light running tickets goes to. Some of this video is amazing too! Holy cow, some of these red light runners are blatant!

Western WA Highway Builders Told To Quit Drinking Beer On The Job

A company building the new Highway 520 bridge in Western Washington is under scrutiny, after a TV crew filmed employees drinking beer at a Bellevue office. The good news? These were the office folks behind the scenes of the project, not the construction crews driving the heavy equipment.

Here's the story from the Seattle Times and the comments are worth looking through. From "Are they hiring?" to "Here we go again addressing adults like children by sending them to training with counselors rather than the boss providing clear direction and expectations," people had a lot to say about this issue.

Government Offices Closed Monday For Memorial Day

A reminder that you need to get your government business done this week or have fewer days to do it next week due to the Memorial Day holiday. Government offices will be closed Monday, May 28 for the holiday. That includes Spokane City, County, Spokane Valley, SRTC and all other government offices.

Parking meters in downtown Spokane don't have to be plugged on Monday and the City Council meeting that day has been cancelled.

Everything opens as normal again on Tuesday, May 29, mostly at 8 a.m.

MLK Jr. Way Street Opening Ceremony Thursday, May 31

Martin Luther King Jr. Way through the University District is nearing completion and you're invited to a street opening ceremony on Thursday, May 31, at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Pine St..

The new street will improve vehicular traffic flow and increase safety in the heart of the Riverpoint Campus. The street extends east from the intersection of Division St. and Riverside Ave., curving north near the eastern campus border then connects to Spokane Falls Blvd. just before the Trent Ave. Bridge. Additionally, bike lanes and an elevated median will be installed as part of the project.


The $3.76 million project is being funded by federal and local funds.

Work Resumes On Havana St. Overpass

Here's another item on late on this week but it's worth putting out there late or not: construction resumed Monday on a project to build an overpass over the railroad viaduct on Havana St. north of Broadway Ave. Traffic is detoured to Fancher Rd. Once completed this summer, the bridge will have four traffic lanes; the outside traffic lane will be a shared bike lane. Sidewalks will be added on each side.

The $7.9 million project is funded by the Washington State Freight Mobility Board, State Transportation Improvement Board, federal sources, Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad, and the City of Spokane.