Spokane7
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August 17, 2010 in City
Morning traffic heavy in downtown Spokane
Afternoon commute may clog up, too
Traffic in downtown Spokane was clogging streets this morning as a larger number of vehicles were coming into the city for two big events along with holdups because of construction on Second Avenue.
Spokane police tried to unclog a tie up in the vicinity of Division and Browne streets and Interstate 90 about 7:30 a.m.
I-90 exits into the city were backed up at 8 a.m. Westbound vehicles exiting at Lincoln Street were backed up to the Division Street ramp and traffic exiting at Division was lined eastward to the Hamilton Street ramp, according to an eyewitness.
The Spokane Regional Traffic Management Center warned drivers to be careful along westbound I-90 from Hamilton to Maple streets because of stopped traffic in the right lanes.
A large number of vehicles had moved into the city starting about 7 a.m. for an appearance of Get Motivated speakers at the Spokane Arena. The event features former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Gonzaga University basketball coach Mark Few and personalities in the motivational field.
Northbound traffic on Lincoln Street was clogging intersections, preventing cross-street movement at First Avenue.
It is the first time that the Get Motivated franchise has brought a show to Spokane. Ticket prices are low - $4.95 per person or $19 for an office - but the promoters have motivational products for sale throughout the day.
That event began at 8 a.m. and was scheduled to end at 4:45 p.m., setting the stage for more traffic problems during the afternoon commute.
In addition, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association is opening a four-day convention at the Convention Center today.
Returning farmland to a state of nature 
Orange on August 17 at 7:53 a.m.
Too bad our poor network of roads and their conditions repel any kind of return or new business. This weeks vistiors probably can’t wait to leave town.
monkeyman on August 17 at 7:58 a.m.
This is what I call the latest news :)
By the way, what exactly are the two events?…perhaps those motivational speakers can help the hassled drivers calm down quickly.
edmitch on August 17 at 8:20 a.m.
Just curious as to why we have two large “convention”-like centers if the city lacks the infrastructure to actually use both of them at the same time?
mikep on August 17 at 8:35 a.m.
We’ve added a few more details about the event at the Arena. There could be afternoon commute problems, too, especially on streets serving the Arena.
spokanecougar on August 17 at 9:05 a.m.
Orange, if you hate here so much then move away. I travel all over the country for my job, the roads here are no worse than anywhere else in the country that has winters like we do.
MrNatural on August 17 at 9:13 a.m.
These Great Men of the self admiration society somehow don’t sit well with me and I’m trying to figure out why. OK I’ll concede that they have on occasion performed great works and philanthropic acts and that some have been involved in controversy. So for the price of a month worth of homeless meals we can experience some osmotic form of capitalist inspiration and maybe go home with a CD. Maybe I’m envious or maybe I just don’t fully comprehend the benefits of this motivation-fest. I think it is coincidentally ironic that the roads are an impediment to this grand gathering of American Swamis but then again maybe I’m just having a conflict of conscious or just sour grapes…anybody care to set me straight?
…p.s. The contractor(s) working on second avenue and NW Blvd. seem to be exercising great contempt and extreme disregard toward the daily Spokane motorist…never have I seen such sloppy, potentially injurious and damaging interim road construction anywhere. The city inspectors need to shore up the rough edges of this awful project
soccermomsusie on August 17 at 9:30 a.m.
I love these motivational speakers! Such great men. Godly men!
The last time I went to something like this, a nice man standing outside (dressed in a black suit and holding a Bible) sold me some “magic beans.” They were cheap and there was a long line to buy them so I knew that they were legit.
However, when I planted them they didn’t grow as high as advertised. I don’t think I read the directions right or perhaps my faith faltered a little. But the beans tasted good nonetheless.
I wonder if we can have a little tea party rally outside the arena when all is done.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!!
MrNatural on August 17 at 9:52 a.m.
…soccermomsusie…are you saying that you are full of beans? :)
…better ease up though…you’re scaring the straights…
eagleproducer on August 17 at 9:57 a.m.
coug: I think susie’s post are tongue-in-cheek and drafted to demonstrate the ludicrousness of fringe right-wing ideology.
spokanecougar on August 17 at 10:08 a.m.
I just think its funny Susie gets her panties all in a bunch and keeps flagging my comments because she cannot handle the truth when someone disagrees with her. Are you 4 years old susie?
spokanecougar on August 17 at 10:10 a.m.
Spotucky, no she is serious, go back and read through some of her past comments and you realize she is not joking, that is just her sad and pathetic point of view on life.
misjustice on August 17 at 10:13 a.m.
Why was spokanecougar’s previous post pulled?
Spoketucky; I think you’re correct. When you first pointed this out to me, months ago, I didn’t agree with you. But now, after reading many more posts by soccer, I have to admit that you are right. And, I might add, I am starting to enjoy the posts!
reservedparking on August 17 at 10:26 a.m.
But remember, Susie, what happens when you eat too many beans…
soccermomsusie on August 17 at 10:33 a.m.
Spokane Cougar. I don’t know what you are talking about. I have never been the one to flag anybody’s comments. EVER!!!!
Also, like you, people call me a cougar. Usually this is when I am enjoying a little medicinal beverage and talking to the young people after a tea party downtown. The funny thing is, I didn’t go to college, nor do I support secular schools like WSU. Yet, they keep calling me a cougar. I am bamboozled.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
spokanada on August 17 at 11:54 a.m.
Soccermom, I hear your voice and I love your posts.
I wish I could the same about Daisy. If she could clean up her spelling mistakes and grammatical errors she could be a writer for Sarah Palin.
force_vector on August 17 at 12:22 p.m.
Why do I get the feeling that someone with an obviously great sense of humor has managed to log in as Soccermom?
Teseract on August 17 at 12:36 p.m.
I agree with Mr. Natural. I work on Howard, between 1st and 2nd. They managed to close traffic crossing 2nd at Howard, then at the intersection of 1st and Howard they blocked off all right turns on to Howard with signs and cones and such. There was mass confusion for anyone trying to get to local businesses, not to mention the several hundred employees in the Wells Fargo building were blocked off from their own parking garage.
At some point some intrepid soul appeared to have given up and run down the cones, clearing the way for traffic to flow again. Sheesh.
Not to mention for any pedestrians crossing 2nd they seem to have the impression that putting up “sidewalk closed” signs and expecting people to walk 4-5 blocks up to a working crosswalk, cross, then walk 4-5 blocks back down is a “good plan”. As a result everyone treks across the barren wasteland, dodging heavy machinery and hoping they don’t fall into an unmarked hole.
flutieflakes on August 17 at 2:58 p.m.
It comes as little surprise to me that the streets of Spokane are packed to hear Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker.
“So let me give you a little bit of a scenario of what my life is all about… First up, I am 35 years old. I am divorced and I live in a van down by the river.”
misjustice on August 17 at 3:14 p.m.
@ Spokanada; actually her skills set is about right, pretty much a match up with Palin’s intellect. Yeah, you betcha! Wink, wink! ; )
Orange on August 17 at 6:24 p.m.
spokanecougar, glad for your comment. Actually I’m 50% travel for my job. And you’re very wrong about conditions of roads in other parts of the country. Spokane by far has the worst out of all the cities and states I’ve traveled too. And yes, I’m looking at a mid west move now. When I got to Spokane 25 years ago, this place had some promise. Now, it’s falling apart with no resources to fix. From the Police Dept and Fire Dept embarrassements with no real investigation and no leadership to hold themselves accountable, the lack of resources to make this a better place has sealed my decision to leave now. I was born and raised in Kent. They’ve seen tremendous growth since I’ve left, and have done very well in keeping up. Spokane doesn’t do so well with growth. New jobs? Forget it. What business owner would attempt to grow here?
awheck7 on August 18 at 6:54 a.m.
perhaps these all well to do speakers could pay for the police overtime they have caused.Our city is flat broke we cant afford to have all this overtime for our police.So please you rich speakers pay for our police
Ridings10 on August 18 at 4:41 p.m.
It’s not our fault that the city can’t spend within their means. Why should I have to pay more taxes because some idiots don’t know what the word save and conserve mean? And I love it how everytime the city has a money shortage, they threaten to cut the police and firefighters first cause they know that the idiots of Spokane will vote blindly for it. How about next time we make them cut them. I’m seeing cuts happen all over the county campus because some comissioners love to spend money on a racetrack. Why can’t city employees get cut when the mayor spends millions on a police evidence building. Don’t keep raising taxes to pay for the idiots at city hall to keep spending without accountability.