From the Regional Administrator

Welcome to our September newsletter. The North Spokane Corridor dominates this issue with news about traffic volumes on the section we opened in August, current construction on the next segment, and our efforts to obtain federal grant funding. There’s also news on the US 195 turn lane and upcoming landscape changes to I-90.

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

North Spokane Corridor traffic news and future plans

The first drivable segment of the North Spokane Corridor (NSC) has been open to traffic for about six weeks and we at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) are pleased with the operation and the mostly positive comments from the community.

We have heard some negative feedback about the seemingly few cars on the NSC mostly from the media as they watch the traffic camera feeds.

In reality, about 4,000 vehicles per day travel the 3.7 mile route and, while it may seem that there is not a lot of usage now, we expect those numbers to climb as we continue construction and open the next section to the north in a little over a year.

We are seeing a fairly substantial percentage of truck traffic on the NSC with about 8.5% on the northbound side and 14% headed southbound.

Several factors affect the traffic volumes on this section. Of course, with only a little over 3 ½ miles open, there is a limited number of destinations that this current segment serves. When the next phase opens, connecting to US 2 and US 395, the traffic should increase substantially.

Another factor that can affect the NSC usage is construction in the Freya Street/Market Street/Greene Street corridor. Right now, the Freya Street Bridge over the BNSF Railroad main line is fully closed. This is sending the through truck traffic over to Division Street, the only other legal north/south truck route in side the City of Spokane. In addition, the City has a major construction project underway in the Hillyard area.

When we opened the Freya/Francis to Farwell Road segment with one lane in each direction, we knew this was an interim step. Two-way traffic is flowing on what will be the northbound side of the full freeway when construction funding is obtained. We have applied for a TIGER (Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery) grant for the southbound lane work and we are hopeful that the project will be selected, enabling us to add those southbound lanes for a fully divided highway.

The section from Farwell Road to the existing US 395 is fully funded for both northbound and southbound traffic. Construction is underway now on two contracts that will be completed in 2011. Bridge piers for the big NSC/US 2 interchange are climbing out of the ground and motorists on US 395 near Wandermere are seeing the first construction activity on the twin bridges that will tie the two highways together.

It’s very important to note that the NSC will be opened in drivable segments as funding becomes available. This is the same strategy that was used during the construction of Interstate 90 from 1953 through the 1970’s and even into the 1980’s. In took a series of construction contracts to build that freeway through the Spokane metro area, and sections were opened as they were completed.

The WSDOT is also looking at the next major portion of the corridor, the section from Francis Avenue to the Spokane River. Earlier this year the Legislature allocated $28 million to get things started. Our design team is already refining the preliminary designs into plans for construction. When additional right of way and construction dollars become available, we’ll be ready to turn dirt.

There’s no doubt that this is, and will be, a long process. Tight financial times mean that there is a lot of competition for the available funding. Continued community support is critical to keep this project moving forward.

NSC construction sites buzz with activity

Two North Spokane Corridor contracts are underway. Crews from Graham Construction of Spokane continue their work on the US 2 Lowering and Bridges contract where the new freeway will cross the Newport Highway. Five freeway bridges and one pedestrian bridge are under construction along with retaining walls and excavation. Another component of the project is the replacement of the Deadman Creek box culvert with a 30 foot wide arch structure. The culvert is being built one half at a time and the work has required lane restrictions on US 2 for southbound traffic.


Rebar for a shaft on one of the NSC bridges to connect to US 395

Graham is also the prime contractor on our other big NSC job, the US 2 to Wandermere lanes and bridges project. Currently shaft foundations are being constructed which will support six of the 12 piers. The shafts are being drilled, reinforced, and poured with concrete. These shafts vary from 80 to 160 feet deep. Work will continue on footings and columns as weather allows during the winter.

When these two jobs are completed in fall 2011, traffic will flow on 5 ½ miles of the 10.5 mile North Spokane Corridor.

North Spokane Corridor could move forward with grant dollars

As noted above, on September 15th the State of Washington submitted three projects to compete for funding in the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) call for projects. The three projects include: the SR 520 Floating Bridge Replacement ($300 million), Interstate 5/Columbia River Crossing ($147 million), and $35 million to fund the construction of the southbound lanes of the North Spokane Corridor (NSC), between Francis/Freya and Farwell Road. The NSC contract is shovel ready and construction will start in 2010 if TIGER funding is secured. It is anticipated that project selection will occur in early 2010. Visit www.dot.gov/recovery for more information on the TIGER program or visit http://www.recovery.gov/ for information about the recovery act.

US 195 right turn lane open to traffic

Following a successful grass roots effort to fund improvements at the US 195/Cheney Spokane Road intersection in the last legislative session, and a partnership with the City of Spokane to provide additional needed funds, contractors for the Washington State Department of Transportation recently completed a southbound off-ramp at this location.



This ramp removes southbound right turning traffic from the intersection thereby improving visibility of oncoming traffic for eastbound drivers entering US 195. This also removes the old right turn lane resulting in a shorter distance for eastbound traffic to traverse before entering northbound US 195. A sign was placed in remembrance of Lorissa Green who unfortunately lost her life in an accident at this intersection earlier this year. Cameron-Reilly Construction of Airway Heights was the prime contractor.

Safety improvements with landscape changes slated for I-90 in downtown Spokane

We are going to make some changes on I-90 in downtown Spokane to enhance safety. On I-90 between Division Street and the Hamilton Interchange, the Department will remove trees that have grown too large over the years and replace them with a variety of shrubs.

Planted in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the Ponderosa Pine and Maple trees along the shoulder have trunks that exceed four inches in diameter and create a serious impact hazard to the adjacent high-speed traffic. An errant vehicle colliding with these oversize trees could stop abruptly with a greater chance of serious injury than sideswiping the nearby retaining wall.

The trees in this section of Interstate 90 are within the designated “clear zone” area. The clear zone on this portion of I-90 based on its design and a 60 mph speed limit is 29 feet from the fog line.

This is an important safety issue. While all of our wooden and steel sign structures are designed to break away when struck by a vehicle, these trees are not and can be very dangerous if hit. Similar projects have taken place along Interstate 5 in the Olympia and Vancouver area, along Interstate 705 in Tacoma, and in other locations in the state.

WSDOT landscape architects working with the City of Spokane, and the Spokane Downtown Partnership, selected several varieties of native shrubs for planting along the right-of-way. Over 600 shrubs will be placed in the shoulders on this one-mile section of freeway. Species planted will include Serviceberry, Buck Brush, Tall Oregon Grape, and Russet Buffalo Berry. The varieties were selected based on their ability to thrive in this often shaded area.

The existing trees will be removed, chipped on site, then used as mulch in the planting strip. WSDOT crews will plant the new shrubs in their place.