Spokane’s rutted I-90 viaduct to get repave starting in 2006

So you thought your Interstate 90 woes were over this fall?

Think again.

Once the Washington State Department of Transportation wraps up its project to widen the freeway between Argonne and Sullivan in the Spokane Valley, it will move on to resurface the downtown I-90 viaduct next year. The project is expected to cost about $15 million.

In 2006, one side of the freeway will be closed during the construction season. In 2007, crews will move to the other side.

“It’s going to create some issues during peak travel times,” says Jerry Lenzi, WSDOT’s Eastern Region administrator.

In addition to eliminating the ruts in the pavement, crews will work on repairing problems with the joints between the viaduct’s large slabs of concrete and improving water drainage along the 2½-mile stretch.

Lenzi said some on- and off-ramps will be closed during construction.

“We’re going to try to see if we can get two lanes of traffic each way, but they’re going to be small, tight lanes,” he said.

The good news is that the city of Spokane will be resurfacing downtown Third Avenue this year.

So, at least you’ll have another escape route at the end of the day. And you can stop for a pop for the long trip home.