Make Sprague Avenue two-way again, expert says

Experts are confirming what some Spokane Valley residents have argued for six years – that Sprague Avenue and Appleway Boulevard should be two-way streets.

“It’s not just about moving cars from point A to point B,” consultant Troy Russ told city officials and residents Tuesday.

Research on Sprague traffic as part of a study to redevelop the city’s most prominent retail strip revealed that most people don’t use it as a through street anyway. Russ, an urban design expert, said the Valley might be better served if the road’s design were more friendly to pedestrians and shoppers.

“It’s not the commuter road that you think it is,” he said.

The Spokane Valley City Council last year decided to spend more than $400,000 for an urban design and transportation plan. That land-use plan would pave the way for a city center, mixed-use development and regulations to foster more sustainable business growth along Sprague and Appleway.

Russ’ recommendations are part of that study.

For years, Sprague was the east-west thoroughfare through the Valley. Then, in 2000, before the city of Spokane Valley was formed, the county opened Appleway to handle eastbound traffic. Sprague was changed to handle westbound traffic between University Road and Interstate 90, a distance of about three miles.

At previous public meetings, Russ and his colleagues got an earful from Sprague business owners who’ve argued for years that the Sprague-Appleway couplet hurt businesses by reducing visibility and making it difficult for shoppers to get to their stores.

As the preliminary concepts for a redevelopment plan come together, the experts seem to agree with them.

Putting two-way traffic on both roads “will strengthen businesses along the corridor,” Russ said.

The first step toward changing the road would include existing city plans to extend Appleway another two miles to Evergreen Road. Sprague and Appleway would be converted to two-way streets between Argonne and University.

West of Argonne, the conversion to two-ways would happen after the eastbound I-90 off-ramp is modified.

Later phases would extend Appleway east to Sullivan and eventually use a roundabout to improve the connection between Sprague, Appleway and freeway ramps.

The city also would add things like landscaping to make Sprague and Appleway more aesthetically appealing and reduce the number of lanes on Sprague as sections of Appleway are added parallel to it.

Based on computer modeling that forecasts traffic 30 years out, Russ said the added drive time with two-way streets would be minimal, and the extension of Appleway would help handle the growing number of cars driving through town. Adding more cross streets as portions of Sprague and Appleway are redeveloped would alleviate some of the traffic on existing north and south arterials, he said.

The crowd of 60 or 70 seemed mostly receptive to the suggestions.

Sandra Christensen , who represented Old Country Buffet at Tuesday’s meeting, said she’s impressed with the plan as it’s been presented so far and hopes the city can help relieve congestion at Sprague and Pines.

“Now that I’ve seen the whole picture, I’m very excited,” she said.

A few people raised questions about costs and longer travel times associated with eliminating the couplet. But as in previous meetings, the majority of those present supported the idea of two-way streets.

Just having a plan for Sprague and Appleway in place soon will help many property owners who have been putting off developing their property as they wait to see what the city will do, said Spokane Valley Mayor Diana Wilhite.

City leaders will review the Sprague/Appleway plan in its entirety in March.

“It’s a lot to absorb,” Wilhite said.

“The concern is how we work it into our budget,” she said, but added that if it is something the community wants strongly enough, the council will make it a priority.