From the Regional Administrator

Welcome Welcome to our August edition. This month we highlight two big events in our Region plus shine the spotlight on our recycling efforts.

As always, if you have any questions on items in this newsletter, or other transportation issues, please let me know. Give me a call at (509) 324-6010 or drop me an e-mail at metcalk@wsdot.wa.gov .

Keith Metcalf
Regional Administrator

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First North Spokane Corridor segment opens to traffic

Under clear blue skies with just a slight breeze, well over 500 citizens and dignitaries joined representatives of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) at the North Spokane Corridor “Celebration of Progress/First Ribbon Cutting on Saturday, August 22, 2009.

Secretary of Transportation, Paula Hammond, WSDOT Chief Engineer Jerry Lenzi, and the Department’s Eastern Region Administrator Keith Metcalf were joined on the platform by 5th District U.S. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, State Senators Lisa Brown and Chris Marr, State Representatives Alex Wood and Kevin Parker, plus Spokane Mayor Mary Verner and Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke and others to address the crowd.

Other activities during the day included a Volkswalk, fun run, and a display of highway construction equipment. The Associated General Contractors, Spokane Area Good roads Association, and the Spokane Labor Council provided hot dogs and souvenir water bottles during the event. All the attendees, including the VIP’s were shuttled a few miles from parking areas to the event site by the Spokane Transit Authority.

Also entertaining the crowd during the ceremony was the Air National Guard band of the Northwest. The band had just returned from a two-month deployment in Afghanistan and Iraq where they entertained troops in forward combat areas.

The event commemorated the opening of the first drivable segment (3.7 miles) of , what will be when fully completed, a 10.5 mile freeway facility with an adjacent bike/pedestrian path connecting Interstate 90 near downtown Spokane to the existing US 395 north of the City.

After a few words from the honored speakers, the red ribbon was cut and a parade of over 50 classic “cars and trucks of the decades” cruised down the new concrete surface. The cars were followed by a series of freight trucks and construction vehicles.

The 3.7 mile segment, with one lane in each direction was opened to traffic a few hours after the ceremony after the event equipment was removed and the contractor took care of a few last minute details.

The next segment, a two-mile piece to the north connecting with the existing US 395 is currently under construction and will open in 2011.

You can see some pictures from the event on our website at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US395/NorthSpokaneCorridor/Ribbon+Cutting+Ceremony.htm

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US 195 project groundbreaking

Area legislators and the mayor of Spokane joined us at the groundbreaking ceremony for the US 195/Cheney-Spokane Road intersection turn lane improvement project.

The event signified the start of construction for the new, realigned southbound right turn lane from US 195 to Cheney Spokane road. The new lane will improve visability for motorists attempting to enter US 195.

Senator Chris Marr along with Representatives John Driscoll and Kevin Parker from the Sixth District were on hand with comments as well as Spokane Mayor Mary Verner. The project is located within the City of Spokane. The legislature provided funding for the work during their last session. The City of Spokane is also a funding partner.

Also speaking to the crowd was Debi Hammel. Debi’s daughter Lorissa Green was the victim in an unfortunate fatal collision in January 2009. A “Please Drive Safely” sign in memory of Lorissa was unveiled during the event.

Cameron-Reilly of Airway Heights, WA is the prime contractor on the job which should be completed in September.

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Recycled paper saves money and trees

On May 6, 2009 Governor Gregoire signed into law House Bill 2287. This new law directs state agencies to use 100 percent recycled office paper and reduce their consumption of paper by 30 percent. A summary of key points includes:

• Reduce printing and copy paper use by at least 30 percent of their current use, beginning no later than July 1, 2010.
• Purchase 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper for printing and copying by Dec. 31, 2009.
• Agencies are encouraged to give priority to purchasing from companies that produce paper in facilities powered by a renewable energy source.
• Restrict future leases or purchases of printers and copiers to models that will efficiently use 100 percent recycled content white sheet bond paper.
• In print projects requiring high-volume production inserters or high-speed digital devices, agencies are required to use the highest recycled content feasible for the job.
• Recycle 100 percent of copy and printing paper in all buildings with 25 employees or more.

Prior to the enactment, Eastern Region was already increasing its use of recycled paper. The personnel in the Eastern Region Stores Office have been instrumental in educating and encouraging our managers to switch to 100% use of recycled paper. As a result, Eastern Region is well on its way to meeting the tenets of the new law. Specifically, the region is currently at 100% usage of 8 ½” x 11” recycled paper, and will achieve 100% usage of 11” x 17” recycled paper within the next few months.

This is a win-win situation for our environment and a substantial cost savings of taxpayer dollars.