I-90 work plan calls for good timing

There’s no getting around the fact that getting around downtown Spokane this summer is going to be an adventure.

But transportation officials have been preparing for months for the Interstate 90 viaduct repaving project set to begin in mid-May. It’s needed to repair deep, deep ruts.

The project will narrow I-90 from three lanes in each direction to two and will close key downtown entrance and exit ramps for the bulk of summer.

So, in addition to planning for signs, city and state officials have been working since summer on new signal timings for downtown intersections to better handle increased traffic expected on city streets.

“It’s unprecedented that we’ve started this early,” said Washington State Department of Transportation spokesman Al Gilson. “Our goal is to keep traffic moving as seamlessly as possible.”

One key change downtown will be in signal timing, said Spokane traffic engineer Andy Schenk.

Traffic lights that now operate on 80- and 90-second cycles (the time from the beginning of a green light to the beginning of the next green on that same light) will be increased during peak travel times to 120 seconds, Schenk said.

What does that mean?

You may have to sit a little longer at a red light, but you will have a much greater chance of making it through the following intersections without having to wait at another red.

That lets streets handle higher traffic volumes.

Studs off

Speaking of the viaduct ruts, the deadline to remove rut-causing studded snow tires is coming up.

Studded tires are banned for the warm weather season starting Saturday in Washington.

Noncompliance could mean a $101 fine.

Idaho lets drivers use studs for an additional month, but if you’re planning on visiting Washington, better take ‘em off.

Oh good, a red

This is one light Coeur d’Alene drivers will be happy to see.

Come this summer, the city is installing a traffic signal at Atlas and Kathleen.

Ever since Kathleen was realigned two years ago, the intersection has been jammed.

The work will widen Atlas, add curbs and extend the bike path.

Stop signs have already been installed in preparation for the new signal.

29th Avenue jam

The city of Spokane begins work today on 29th Avenue and Southeast Boulevard.

As crews replace the intersection with a concrete one, they will work 24 hours a day for about a week, meaning a shorter work span but more hassle for the time being.

Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction, and flaggers are on hand to guide drivers.

Slow going

Washington State Department of Transportation crews today and Tuesday will replace lights on I-90 between Havana and the Idaho border. Work will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and drivers should watch for outside lane and shoulder restrictions.

Work continues on Spokane’s westside water main project. This week Sunset Boulevard is closed at Third Avenue and being detoured onto Fourth Avenue. Inland Empire Way is still closed. Drivers need to watch for the detour signs pointing them around the construction.

Rutter Parkway realignment work at Highway 291 this week could cause some delays for motorists.

Freya Street utility pole work may result in the street being limited to one lane at times between Hartson and 37th.

Valleyway will be closed during the day until April 3 from Conklin to Sullivan.

Mullan Road remains closed between Appleway and Sprague.

Temporary reprieve

Some drivers who should be getting parking tickets in downtown Spokane are getting a break. For the time being, anyway.

The city is transitioning its ticket-writing job from paper to hand-held computers and is writing only half the tickets it normally does in the process.

The switchover is slowing things down somewhat because parking enforcement officers are entering the information into their computers as well as writing tickets by hand for the next two months, said Spokane Public Works Director Roger Flint.

Then everything will move to computer, and all tickets will be issued on white printouts that look like receipts.

The new system has the benefit of being tied to police and court systems. That led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle on the first day the hand-helds were used.

The system cost the city about $300,000, but Flint said it will be more efficient because ticket data won’t have to be transferred from written receipts to the city’s computer system.

And although it’s not planned, yet, drivers may someday be able to pay their parking tickets over the phone.

At least that would save the 39 cent stamp.