I know- the last thing you’re thinking about now is road construction. You’re probably more worried about digging yourself out of your driveway. But the Washington State Department of Transportation is always thinking about making our roads better and is announcing area road construction projects scheduled for 2016.
To start, because funding for the completion of the
North Spokane Corridor (NSC) was approved by the Legislature last June, you will see more activity along the NSC route next year. The major projects start in 2017 but there are a couple small NSC projects in 2016 including construction of a roundabout
at the Freya and Wellesley intersection. That work is expected to start in mid-summer.
There will also be work on city streets adjacent to the freeway in the Hillyard area, especially along Market Street. That
project includes sidewalk work and cul de sac construction.
On Interstate 90 in east Spokane, there will be changes to the
westbound Freya Street exit. A project this summer will relocate the
westbound off-ramp further east, closer to Havana Street. The ramp will
connect to Second Avenue well before Freya Street to provide a longer ramp area
that allows drivers to get in the proper lane to continue west or to turn north
on Freya. This will improve traffic flow and make the signal
at Second and Freya more efficient, requiring only two phases instead of
three. This will also prevent traffic from backing up onto the freeway during busy times.
Smaller projects in our area include minor turn lane and traffic
signal improvements at the Hawthorne Road/Division Street intersection, ADA
ramp improvements at a few locations on Division Street and Trent Avenue, and
some guardrail work on Interstate 90 and US 2 west of downtown Spokane.