Liberty Lake Vicinity Under Gun For Growth

Most Liberty Lake folks realize their wonderful little corner of the world has been discovered and is likely going to be one of the fastest growing parts of the county in the years ahead.

A recent growth forecast for housing around Liberty Lake quantifies that impression with with some best-guess statistics. The Liberty Lake Transportation Study, put out by the Spokane Regional Transportation Council, projects the number of housing units around Liberty Lake will increase from about 1,900 today to around 4,300 by the year 2010.

And that growth will come on top of commercial projects, several of which are on the board right now in this highly desirable business location.

Of course, the actual development rate will depend on economic vagaries, but it does look like Liberty Lake will be under the gun with continuous construction for the next several years.

And congestion on the road network will be a big part of the growing pains.

“The substantial residential and commercial growth forecast for Liberty Lake will require significant investments to the transportation system” if the road system is to work efficiently, the SRTC study concludes.

Right in the middle of the transportation equation is the Harvard Road interchange at Interstate 90.

The exit and entrance ramps at the interchange are currently rated fairly effective, but are expected to approach the failure rate (delays of 60 seconds and longer) as the region fills in, according to forecasts.

To help handle some of this increasing load, the state is proposing these projects in its 5-year plan:

Extending Country Vista Drive from Liberty Lake Drive west to Appleway. This would be intended to divert traffic away from the I-90 interchange. But the effectiveness of this project is questioned by the SRTC, especially if improvements at the I-90 interchange are completed and drivers don’t use the new route.

Realigning Mission Avenue several hundred yards north of the I-90 westbound ramp.

Adding signals at the westbound ramp of the Harvard Road interchange and widening Harvard Road to allow a dedicated left turn lane to westbound I-90. Eventually, the state would build a loop ramp that avoids the need for stopping at a signal.

The view from Albertson’s

The transportation study quoted above is what planners have to say about the Liberty Lake situation. But residents of the area, interviewed at the Albertson’s store on Liberty Lake Road, seem pretty satisfied with their road system right now, except for some fine-tuning.

Angela Rhodes is a little concerned about the impacts of business development around the Harvard Road and I-90 area, where a 125-unit motel, a service station, a fast-food restaurant and a convenience store are planned.

“They’re going to have to open up the traffic if they’re going to put all these businesses in,” she says.

Bill Glanville would like to see improvements at the Molter and Sprague intersection to make it safer. A hill at the corner limits visibility and cars can sneak up on you, he says.

Blanche Stark wants a lower speed limit on Country Vista Drive, and Susan Thomas, who lives over on Trent, wants a lower speed limit there.

“More and more people are moving out here and it’s no longer a truck route. … People see a speed limit of 50 and read it as 80,” says Thomas.

Fred Stafford says the worst problem is traffic levels on Harvard during rush hour, and a trouble spot in the area is at Euclid and Harvard, where he says several accidents have occurred over the years.

Joanne Siegel has no complaints about roads in the area and gives developers high marks for doing a good job. She especially appreciates Country Vista Drive.

, DataTimes MEMO: On Your Way is a Valley Voice column focusing on commuter lifestyles and issues. Your views on any of the topics discussed are invited. Please write: On Your Way, The Valley Voice, 13208 E. Sprague, Spokane, WA 99216. Or call Jim Springer at 459-5441.