Big project on Division starts today with trench
At least it’s night work.
The Washington Department of Transportation starts today on a $4 million project to repave Division Street north of Francis all the way up through the Newport Highway at Center Road.
This week’s work will mainly involve digging a trench to house fiber optic cable, but later this summer you can expect major work between 9 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., grinding down the road surface and repaving it.
Once again the state puts a large share of the blame on studded tires.
But then, there are also the thousands of cars that drive on that stretch of road every day.
Even without studs, that’s a lot of wear and tear.
Monroe bridge opening
The date is set.
The Monroe Street Bridge will open to traffic on Sept. 19 after a weekend of bridge-top activities.
It’s been 2½ years since the city shut the bridge down for a $20 million facelift.
Less than 2½ months to go.
Park is not forgotten
Toby Rodrigues called Getting There last week to ask why there’s been no progress since last summer on Park Road in Spokane Valley.
The road still lacks a top-coat of asphalt between Sprague and Eighth Avenue, and the height difference between that section and the rest of the road has been giving drivers quite a jostling.
Spokane County Construction Engineer Paul Lenemann said the problem has to do with the existing asphalt. It’s uncertain whether the asphalt will stand up to the summer heat without bleeding oil and becoming sticky. So the county is waiting until August to determine if it will work.
If there’s a problem, the existing layer of asphalt will be repaired, and the top layer laid on top of it.
If the asphalt takes the heat well, the contractor will just need to lay the top layer.
Chip, seal, delays
The county is launching its annual chip seal program.
Such repairs don’t require long closures, but involve messy oil and can halt traffic for a few hours.
Here’s what to watch for this week when repairs will be focused west of Spokane:
Today – Assembly Road from Hallett Road north to Garden Springs Road.
Tuesday – Sunset Frontage Road from U.S. Highway 2 to Grove Road, Green Road from Grove Road to Government Way and Castle Hill Road from Government Way to half a mile west.
Wednesday – Craig Road from U.S. Highway 2 to Rambo Road.
Thursday – Craig Road from Teepee Road to Lincoln Road, Lincoln Road from Craig Road to Garfield Road and Garfield Road from Lincoln Road to Seven Mile Road.
Fair warning
Uncontrolled intersections are the focus of this week’s Spokane Police Department emphasis patrols.
The traffic unit will be watching these intersections citywide to make sure people are yielding the right of way as they should.
Slow down at uncontrolled intersections and look both ways. If two vehicles are coming to an uncontrolled intersection at approximately the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way.
Slow going
The Lincoln Street Interstate 90 off-ramp will be closed Friday evening as part of the Third Avenue construction in downtown Spokane.
Crews will be working on Ash and Maple streets north of Francis this week, although at least one lane will remain open on each. As part of the same project, Ash Street is also still completely closed between Francis and Wellesley. Traffic is detoured to Monroe.
Eighth Avenue is still closed between McClellan and Washington, but it’s expected to reopen on Thursday.
Greene Street is being rebuilt between Mission Avenue and the Spokane River Bridge. Traffic there is reduced to one lane in each direction.
Second Avenue is reduced to one lane in the vicinity of Thor and Freya.
“A” Street is closed between Wellesley and Hoffman for construction of a roundabout.
The Palouse Highway is closed from Valley Chapel Road to Dunn Road. A detour is in place.
Near Waverly, Hays Road and the Hays Road Bridge are now closed between Kentuck Trails Road and Prairie View Road until October.
Lincoln Street repairs are under way between 21st and 29th avenues. Expect lane closures.
Regal Street is under construction from 38th Avenue south to the Palouse Highway.
55th Avenue is closed from Regal Road to Altamont Court.
Fourth Avenue is closed between University and Farr Road for Sherwood Forest sewer work.
Highway 395 evening construction between Colville and the Columbia River will require single-lane traffic and pilot cars. Expect to wait up to 15 minutes to get through the 11-mile section.