Morning traffic heavy in downtown Spokane

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.