Oh, Monroe Street Bridge, how we have missed you
A long-awaited reunion with a loved one demands more than a peck on the cheek.
It deserves a full-body hug.
So after a 2 1/2-year separation, don’t rush the moment with Spokane’s historic Monroe Street Bridge. Zooming across it at 30 mph on your way to work next Monday would be such a waste. Take time to admire the recast bison skulls, to run your hand over the new railing, to kiss your honey in one of the pavilions.
Your best chance to embrace the bridge on foot is this weekend at one of the celebrations planned to commemorate its $18 million restoration.
From Spokane Preservation Advocates’ glitzy $75-a-person Friday night gala to Saturday’s family-oriented street fair, dance and fireworks show or Sunday’s church service, walk or bike ride, there’s a party for you.
When the bridge originally opened in 1911, it was christened with a bottle of Spokane River water.
Saturday’s 11 a.m. opening ceremony will include a biplane flyover, car parade and marching bands. The bridge fair then runs from noon to 6 p.m., followed by a street dance at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 8 p.m.
Sunday is for worship services and physical activity.
Tickets for the Friday night gala can be purchased by calling 325-SEAT. Information about the bike ride is available at 624-7188. Call 954-6851 for more details about the 5K walk.
And be sure to look in Saturday’s paper for a special pull-out section on the bridge’s history and renovation.
Bridge on TV
If you can’t wait until the weekend, you can learn more about the Monroe Street Bridge from local historians and engineers.
The city of Spokane will air a documentary about the Monroe Street Bridge at 9 p.m. Tuesday on CityCable 5.
The documentary, “Monroe Street Bridge: Bridging the Past to the Future” was produced by Channel 5 employee Dan Archer.
Roundabout
Work is wrapping up on the Bruce Road roundabout at Mount Spokane Park Drive, and crews will be paving it on Friday and Saturday nights.
That means it will be closed from 7 p.m. on Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday. The same routine goes for Saturday night into Sunday morning.
There will be a detour, but those familiar with the area know that a detour in farm country isn’t as simple as going around the block.
Fair warning
Gonzaga University students get a little help from the Spokane Police Department’s traffic unit this week.
The police will be conducting emphasis patrols near GU, primarily looking to bust drivers who don’t yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
Slow going
Lincoln Street between Second and Third Avenues will be closed today through Thursday for Avista work. Then farther south, Lincoln will be patched this week from 26th to 29th. Expect delays.
The Washington Department of Transportation is resurfacing Division and the Newport Highway from just north of Francis Avenue to Center Road. Most work will occur between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Maple Street is closed from Francis to Wellesley avenues. Traffic is being detoured to Monroe Street.
Country Homes Boulevard is under construction from Cedar to Division. Expect detours.
Thierman Road will be restricted to one northbound lane from Sprague to Broadway for sewer work.
A detour is in place at Argonne Road from Old Argonne Road to Bigelow Gulch.
Montgomery Avenue will be under construction this week from University to Pines.
Crews will be preparing Eighth Avenue this week for paving between Farr and University.
Park Road is under construction from Second to Eighth avenues.
The Palouse Highway is closed from Valley Chapel Road to Dunn Road. A detour is in place.
Expect lane closures on the Cheney/Spokane Road from Cedar to Marshall Road when crews are patching it this week.
Spokane County is making repairs to these roads this week: Today, Cheney Plaza Road from Wells to Texas Ferry; Tuesday, Rambo Road from Highway 2 to Craig Road; Wednesday, Rambo from Craig to Euclid.