WSDOT Projects

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Project Facts

• A series of six contracts completes the earthwork between US 2 and Wandermere.
• Will construct 2 drivable lanes from Farwell to Francis.
• Construction started in 2004 and will end in 2009.

Why is WSDOT building the North Spokane Corridor?
This project addresses the need for a major improvement to allow motorists and freight to move through metropolitan Spokane along the corridor from I-90 to US 395 at Wandermere. The needs of the corridor are indicated by increasing congestion and other operational and safety issues on the existing street network. The project will provide a facility for balanced transportation including park and ride lots to support transit and vanpooling operations, as well as an expanded and enhanced pedestrian/bicycle facility. Right of way will also be reserved for possible light rail use.

The End Result
When completed, the North Spokane Corridor will be a 60-mile per hour, limited access highway with a direct connection to I-90 just west of the existing Thor/Freya Interchange. Other interchanges will be placed at locations such as Trent Avenue (SR 290), Wellesley Avenue, Francis / Freya Street, Parksmith Drive, US 2, and US 395 at Wandermere. Constructs two lanes of the North Spokane Corridor between Farwell Road and Francis Avenue. Provides a new road between these two major county roads and completes the grading between US 2 and Wandermere. This project will increase capacity and reduce travel time. There will be two lanes when this project is completed. This project is one component of the 10.5-mile North Spokane Corridor and will be comprised of four major construction contracts.

Project Benefits
 Consider the following benefits:

• Able to travel between Wandermere and I-90 in less than 12 minutes.
• A free flowing facility which doesn't have conflicts with schools, parks, shopping areas or pedestrians. But has reasonable access to these areas.
• Fewer trucks will be on the local streets because they will use the freeway for north/south through movements.
• Cleaner air because you aren't stopping at intersections along the way.
• A safe bike/pedestian corridor which connects to other established bikepaths as well as the neighborhoods along the way.
• Increased jobs due to construction spending in the community and increased economic vitality.

What is the project timeline?
Design efforts have been underway on segments of this project for several years. In 2002, a drainage and grading contract was completed in the vicinity of Hawthorne Road to Farwell Road. During the 2003 legislative session, construction funding was allocated to this project. Right-of-Way acquisition, design work is underway on the project with construction underway on the first contract.

Construction contracts within this project comprise the following:

• Farwell Road Lowering -This contract changes the elevation of Farwell Road to accommodate the freeway facility. Four bridges over Farwell Road will then be constructed. This contract is complete.
  
  
• Gerlach to Wandermere -This contract consists of earthwork to construct the basic freeway configuration from the vicinity of US 2 north to the existing US 395 facility at Wandermere and from Hawthorne Road south to Fairview Road. This contract is complete.
  
  
• Francis to US 2 Structures - This contract constructs five bridges for the freeway facility from the vicinity of Perry Road to Fairview Road. This contract is underway and will be complete later in 2007.
  
  
• Francis to US 2 Grading (3 contracts included in this phase)  - This project will provide a drivable link from Francis Avenue to Farwell Road. 
  
  This phase was originally planned to be built in one contract.  However, in order to better manage cost escalation and other risk items, WSDOT decided to construct it in 3 separate contracts:
  
  Freya to Fairview Vicinity Grading & Structures - 4A
  This project finishes the mainline grading from Fairview to Francis Avenue vicinity, constructs bridges at Lincoln Road and Gerlach Road, and constructs County/City street improvements related to the NSC.  The work is underway.
  
  Freya to Farwell PCCP Paving - 4B
  This project improves the SR 2/Farwell Road intersection, widens Farwell to 5 lanes and paves the mainline grade south to Francis Avenue vicinity.  The job has been awarded and construction is planned to begin later in 2007.
  
  BNSF Railroad Tunnel - 4C
  This project constructs a 1200 foot railroad tunnel in the Market/Hawthorne vicinity. This contract is expected to advertise in the late summer or early fall of 2007.
  
   

Public Involvement
Numerous public meetings, open houses, and formal hearings regarding this project have been held over the past 10 years. Additional neighborhood meetings, presentations, and open houses continue to be held on a regular basis.

WSDOT is currently working with neighborhood groups who are helping to develop a Roadside Master Plan. This plan will be used to establish architectural themes along the corridor as it traverses the neighborhoods. You are invited to participate.

Interested citizens should contact the project engineer's office listed below or WSDOT Eastern Region Public Affairs at (509) 324-6015.

Environmental Protection
The project has undergone extensive environmental review, including preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement and a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.

Please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Historically, arterials such as Division Street have had accident rates of up to 3½ times that of a facility similar to the proposed North Spokane Corridor. As traffic continues to increase in neighborhoods and school zones, there is an increasing potential for accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Upon the completion of the NSC, it has been estimated there will be a reduction of over 700 accidents per year. This reduction translates into a societal cost savings of over $22 million per year.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
The WSDOT has worked closely with area Tribal officials to identify and avoid culturally sensitive areas within the corridor as part of the Environmental Impact Statement process.

Financial Information

This project is funded through the following sources:

• 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $181.7 million
• Existing Funds $8.6 million
• Other Agencies $154,000
• Total Funding Available From All Sources - $190.5 million
  

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Design Project Engineer  Larry Larson 
WSDOT Project Office
2714 N. Mayfair
Spokane, WA 99207
Phone: (509) 324-6091
E-mail: SR395NSC@wsdot.wa.gov

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