Drivers get I-90 headache relief

By Friday morning, the last three months will seem like a bad traffic dream. The first phase of Interstate 90 viaduct reconstruction in downtown Spokane will be complete, and drivers will be able to return to their usual exits and on-ramps.

The Washington state Department of Transportation released the wrap-up schedule on Monday afternoon for the $13 million project to repair the viaduct. Here’s what drivers can expect:

•Today – Downtown traffic signals will return to their regular sequencing, meaning shorter cycles and flashing red and yellow lights during the overnight hours.

•Wednesday at 7 p.m. – The westbound Altamont Street on-ramp will be closed.

•Thursday morning – The westbound Altamont on-ramp will reopen, and all westbound freeway lanes will return to normal. All westbound on-ramps and exits will be open, and the westbound speed limit will return to 60 mph. Eastbound traffic still will be restricted to 45 mph.

•Friday morning – Eastbound lanes will be back to normal, with all exits and on-ramps open and the speed limit raised to 60 mph.

All the downtown ramps were supposed to be open earlier, but crews discovered problems late last week with the concrete on the eastbound Division Street off-ramp. A portion of it had to be poured again over the weekend.

During the final stages of work, drivers should watch for shifts in lanes as barriers are moved. Downtown signs also may display conflicting information as crews work to remove temporary signs and restore permanent signs directing traffic to the freeway.

“Overall, this project has gone exceedingly well,” said state Department of Transportation spokesman Al Gilson. “I think the biggest thing that helped us was Spokane drivers finding alternate routes downtown and slowing down in the work zone.”

Work will begin next spring on Phase 2 to repair the westbound lanes.