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Project Facts

• The NSC project team was recognized by the Hillyard/Whitman Neighborhood Council for listening to and addressing the concerns of the neighborhood during the design process.

• The corridor includes the construction of over 10 miles of pedestrian/bicycle trails, which link strategically located park and ride lots along the route and interfaces with the Centennial Trail at the Spokane River.
• Enough room is reserved in the median to accommodate light rail or other high capacity transit in the future.

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. This project will be developed in two major phases: 

Phase 1 - Spokane River North to establish the corridor from the River to US 395 at Wandermere.

Phase 2 - Spokane River South to extend the corridor between I-90 and the Spokane River. Phase 2 will also include a Collector/Distributor (C/D) system (of six lanes) along I-90 between the Liberty Park and Sprague Avenue Interchanges.

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?

Phase 1 – Spokane River North

• In April 1997 the Final Environmental Impact Statement, six years in preparation, was completed by WSDOT and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
• Summer 2000, approval of the Limited Access and Right-of-Way Plans and also approval by FHWA of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
• On August 22, 2001, construction began on the first construction element, a grading and drainage contract, from the vicinity of Hawthorne Road to US 2. The project was completed in July, 2002.
• July 2003, $189 million appropriated through nickel increase in gasoline tax. Two projects to be built, Francis Avenue to Farwell Road and US 2 to Wandermere and US 2 Lowering.
• 2005, $152 million allocated from the Transportation Partnership package for the North Spokane Corridor.
  

Phase 2 – Spokane River South

• Design/Access Hearings were held on February 26, 2003.
• An environmental re-evaluation of the April 1997 FEIS document was approved in May, 2005 by the FHWA.  The Findings and Order was adopted in July, 2005 and the final limited access was established in October, 2005.

How long will it take to build the NSC?
This is a frequently asked question.  The answer is:  It depends on funding commitments from the State of Washington and the Federal Highway Administration.  See the Financial Information section below for current funding levels.  Because future funding levels are unpredictible, the exact construction project schedule cannot be determined.

Public Involvement
Several hundred public meetings, open houses, and formal hearings regarding this project have been held over the past 17 years. Now is a great time to get involved with the Roadside Master Plan. This plan will determine the architectural theme of the NSC.   If you are interested in getting involved in this effort, see the bottom of this page for contact information.

Environmental Protection
The project has undergone extensive environmental review, including preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the project limits and a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.  Please see our environmental & benefits page to review these and other environmental documents.
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. Tribal officials supervised a survey and excavation of several locations within the corridor to determine if artifacts from historical tribal activities could be found.

Financial Information

• Current Project Funding-The design, construction, and right-of-way projects that are currently underway are funded through the following sources:

• 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $152 Million
• 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) - $321 Million
• Total Funding Available From All Sources - $473 million
  

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• Overall Corridor Funding Status as of October 2007 - Since 1990, through the environmental, right-of-way acquisition, design, and construction phases, the WSDOT has been allocated $532 million.  Of that amount $161 million has been expended in those categories and approximately $370 million remains.  Those dollars are funding the current series of construction contracts, right-of-way purchases, and design.
  
• Full Corridor Estimated Project Cost - $2.1 billion in 2006 dollars.  Over a 20-year build out plan with estimated risk and inflation variables included the cost is $3.3 billion.  These values are subject to price escalation due to market trends in commodities (oil, steel, concrete), construction costs, real estate prices, etc. 

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• Estimate Revisions-WSDOT revises these estimates on an annual basis with a risk assessment process and adjusts them accordingly.
  

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Engineer Larry Larson P.E.
WSDOT Project Office
2714 N. Mayfair
Spokane, WA 99207
Phone: (509) 324-6089
E-mail: SR395NSC@wsdot.wa.gov

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