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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Inspection and scales moving to fast lane

Relocation of the Spokane Port of Entry Weigh Station on Interstate 90 includes a device that allows trucks to be weighed at highway speeds without stopping at scales unless directed to do so.  (J. BART RAYNIAK)

A $6.7 million Washington port of entry and weigh station complex under construction along Interstate 90 at the Idaho state line will provide nonstop service to many truckers, Department of Transportation spokesman Al Gilson said this week.

He said scales embedded in the highway in front of the existing weigh station – about one-half mile east of its replacement – will weigh trucks on the fly. Meanwhile, windshield-mounted transponders will forward registration, safety documentation and other information using the Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks.

An infrared camera will detect under-inflated tires and inoperable brakes.

If not overweight and the documentation checks out, the transponder will show a green light, allowing the truck to continue on its journey, Gilson said. A red light means the truck will have to pull in to be weighed and inspected.

WashDOT is building the 2,965-square-foot weigh station and 5,568-square-foot inspection building for the Washington State Patrol, which will operate the complex when completed sometime next year, Gilson said.

Selland Construction of Wenatchee is the contractor.

In addition to simplifying the weighing and inspection process for many truckers, the 15-acre facility will include a new ramp that will eliminate the existing, awkward entry off Idaho Road, Gilson said.

He said the existing facility, built as a visitors center for Expo ’74, will be demolished and the area returned to a natural state.

New Walmart includes hair salon

When the new Walmart in west Post Falls opens Wednesday, it will include a new Cost Cutters hair salon.

The 154,000-square-foot Walmart is located just east of Cabela’s, on West Pointe Parkway.

The Cost Cutters franchise is owned by residents Jerry and Regina Lillie, who own several other Cost Cutters in North Idaho.

The salon staff includes Alisha Mullaley, Miranda McKinnon, Tiffany Owens, Heather Howard and Shannon Slate.

No appointments are needed. Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Adult haircuts are $12.95; children and seniors are $10.95.

Call (208) 457-1978.

A second new Walmart, a 213,000-square-foot store in Hayden at the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 95 and Honeysuckle Avenue, will open Sept. 8.

Meanwhile, Walmart will re-open its Moscow store after a period of closure following the opening of a new Pullman store this fall, the Moscow-Pullman Daily News reports. The Pullman super center will open Oct. 28.

Whitworth’s downtown center relocates

Classes will begin Monday at a new location for Whitworth University’s downtown center.

The private liberal arts university moved the center to a larger space to meet rising demand for its programs and pave the way for growth. It’s now in leased space on the first floor of the Riverfront Office Park Building, 534 E. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Whitworth opened its first site in the University District last fall on the second floor of the Sirti Building, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. The U-District, just east of the downtown core, includes Sirti, a state economic development agency that acts as an incubator, providing tenants with a temporary space to grow until ready to move a more permanent facility.

The space in the Riverfront Office Park building provides easy access for students coming from the freeway as well as free parking and a direct commute from the downtown core, said Cheryl Vawter, director of administrative services in graduate and continuing studies at Whitworth.

“The response we’ve received from offering our evening degree programs downtown has been tremendously positive, and it’s important for us to stay close to the U-District community,” Vawter said.

At its U-District site, Whitworth offers several bachelor-degree programs geared toward nontraditional students who want to attend night classes. All courses needed to complete the degrees are offered in a six-week, accelerated format.

Vintage clothing store opens today

Moving into the former spot of Finders Keepers, Carousel Vintage Clothing opens for business today at 110 S. Cedar St. in the Carnegie Square neighborhood west of downtown Spokane.

Owner Jenny Stabile has about 3,000 items. Most are vintage clothing items and accessories including shoes and purses said. The store will also sell some vintage jewelry.

“The clothes are true vintage, from the 1980s and earlier,” Stabile said.

Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

Stabile said this is her first retail store. Finders Keepers moved to 309 W. Second Ave.

Avista to expand loading dock

Avista Utilities will extend a loading dock at its East Mission Avenue headquarters to bring more trucks under roof, spokesman Hugh Imhof said.

“Right now, they’re just being parked out in the rain,” he said.

Imhof said Meridian Construction Management is in change of the $646,895 project, which will add 18,000 square feet to the dock.

Reporter Tom Sowa and deputy city editor Scott Maben contributed to this report. Here’s the Dirt is a weekly report on new developments and business openings, closings or movement in the Inland Northwest. E-mail business@spokesman.com or call (509) 459-5528.