A project to improve safety and traffic flow at the Sullivan/Wellesley intersection is the topic of a community meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 14 from 5:30-7 p.m. at East Valley High School, 15711 E. Wellesley Avenue. Community members are invited to drop by any time during the event to learn more about the project, which is anticipated for construction in the summer of 2019.
There will be a brief presentation at 5:30pm during which plans for two design alternatives will be presented: A roundabout, and a signalized intersection. Displays will show the two proposed designs as well as plans for sidewalk and stormwater drainage improvements.
City of Spokane Valley staff members will be available following the presentation to answer questions and gather input. A representative from Spokane County will also be there to answer questions related to the Bigelow Gulch/Forker Road Urban Connector project, which is expected to impact traffic at the Sullivan/Wellesley intersection.
While there are those who complain about roundabouts, having investigated thousands of traffic accidents over the course of my career, nevertheless, they slow impacts at intersections and reduce
the severity of injuries. I appreciate the effort to address challenges we face in the Spokane Valley, especially where I drive daily given the increase in pedestrians and vehicles on the road.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Dennis! The good news is that with roundabout collisions, they are always low-speed and usually minor rear-endings. SRTC is going to be hosting a mini-conference on roundabouts in early June about roundabouts as we are getting more and more in our area and many people don’t understand why they are being chosen over traffic signals. More information will be posted here as we get closer.