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November 1, 2010 in City
Getting There: U District bridge may cost up to $8 million
Building a bike and pedestrian bridge over a railroad line might seem like a straightforward project. It’s not.
The University District east of downtown is hemmed in by the BNSF Railway Co. main line, which runs along the south side of the Riverpoint campus east of Division Street.
College and city officials, along with East Central neighborhood leaders, for years have pushed for a pedestrian bridge across the tracks.
The proposal has moved to the design phase under a $400,000 federal transportation grant.
But here’s the hitch: The bridge has to be 26 feet higher than the rails.
That means it will have to be at least the length of a city block with ramps and possibly an elevator at one end. It could cost $8 million.
Two options are up for consideration, as well as three structural designs. An exact location also is being determined.
The public is now being asked to provide input on their preferences.
“There will be significant public interaction on this,” said Katherine Miller, senior engineer on the project for the city of Spokane. “We are encouraging everyone to give us feedback.”
For information, go to udbridgestudy.blogspot.com. A link to a public opinion survey can be found at the bottom of the page.
The first option would build a 290-foot bridge with an elevator on the campus side; the second option would be a 400-foot bridge with ramps at both ends.
The design could employ trusses, arches or cable stays, and is intended to be striking enough visually to become a landmark for the University District, offering expansive views of downtown and surrounding mountains, officials said.
Both proposals would be connected to Sherman Avenue, which provides an arterial link through east Spokane’s general commercial zone and runs on the east side of the city’s expansive medical community.
City leaders hope the commercial areas will be redeveloped with medical or high tech businesses, and new housing for students and workers.
An East Sprague Redevelopment Study has been launched at City Hall to consider new land-use standards.
Thus, the pedestrian bridge would become a link between the campus and an emerging employment zone.
A draft report is expected in March. The city still needs to find funding for the project, which could benefit from state and federal grants.
KPFF Consulting Engineers and LMN Architects, both of Seattle, and Taylor Engineering and Geo Engineers Inc., both of Spokane, are on the design team.
I-90, U.S. 395 work planned
The rutted pavement on Interstate 90 on the Sunset Hill southwest of downtown Spokane is going to get a shave next year.
Acme Concrete Paving Inc., of Spokane, recently won a $7.9 million bid to grind down the concrete surface to even it out from downtown to the Geiger Boulevard interchange. Some sections of broken pavement will be replaced as well.
The damage is caused by studded tires.
In another project, the state awarded a $4.7 million contract to Central Washington Asphalt of Moses Lake to resurface the southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 395 from the Hatton Coulee rest area to Ritzville next year.
The southbound lanes were the original highway before it was converted to a freeway in the 1990s with construction of northbound lanes.
North Side streets reopened
North Side drivers were pleased to find Wellesley Avenue from Assembly Street to Driscoll Boulevard reopened to traffic last week after a reconstruction project that included replacement of a water line.
In addition, Northwest Boulevard from Alberta to Maple streets has opened following reconstruction and installation of a new concrete intersection at Northwest and Cochran Street.
Maintenance in Airway Heights
Drivers are being advised to watch out for temporary lane and shoulder closures on I-90 and U.S. Highway 2 in Airway Heights for maintenance and construction projects this week.
Stevens Pass now on camera
Inland Northwest drivers who take U.S. 2 over Stevens Pass can get an advance look at road conditions on that route with the addition of a new traffic camera located in the Old Faithful avalanche zone west of the summit. It joins a new variable speed limit sign installed on the pass a year ago.
Snoqualmie Pass has five traffic cameras.
The cameras can be viewed by going to wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/.
MLK Jr. Way opens Thursday 
mdriftmeyer on November 01 at 1:56 a.m.
What’s the difficulty in embedding a direct link? It’s just server hosted php of html.
http://udbridgestudy.blogspot.com/
ZagChuck on November 01 at 2:25 a.m.
Let me get this straight; to prevent people from having to go an additional 6 blocks west, from Sherman to Division, they want us to spend at least $8,000,000.00? Over $1.3 million dollars per block of inconvenience? Seems a little pricey to me.
Even if they built it as a turnstile, and charged 50 cents a trip, it would take the entire population of WSU/EWU Riverpoint student body over 20 years to pay for it, using it twice a day 4 times a week.
In these lean economic times, I think folks can go an extra 6 blocks, and we can save the $8 million. Or, if it must be spent, spend it in an area that benefits a larger portion of our good City.
polistra on November 01 at 3:14 a.m.
This is a bridge from an existing campus to an EMERGING employment zone. In other words a nonexistent destination that someone in power WISHES to happen. In other words a location where someone in power owns lots of real estate.
oneanddone on November 01 at 4:50 a.m.
Better yet, let the people who pay the taxes decide. If it’s necessary for school bonds, why isn’t it the same for something like this. Business is too quick to tap its payola budget to trust in the objectivity of politicians.
liarsinnews on November 01 at 5:26 a.m.
Money to burn. I guess Obama is right, the recession is over. There is only one problem, the local governments don`t have any money. Ah, heck, put it on the credit card. How these bureaucrats have the nerve to even talk about it is beyond me. Its no wonder Mayor Verner and her ilk are $12. million in the hole, i.e., if it isn`t more than merely the 12 mil. Oh, BTW, ask the citizens out of work if the recession is over. Digested food through the bull. Reminds me of Verner recently buying a building we could not afford. Or the YMCA purchase.
EbbNFlow on November 01 at 6:47 a.m.
Dear Spokane:
I’ve tirelessly defended your transportation and beautification ambitions for the better part of a year. For every one loudmouth commenter on the website, I’ve encountered two or three more in the community. I’ve lauded your efforts as forward thinking and innovative. I’m with you almost every step of the way. ALMOST.
This project, shall we steal a famous phrase for it, “The Bridge to Nowhere”, is just idiotic. Please explain exactly what YOU think the University District IS. Not what you want it to be, but what it is. And I’ll tell you what the public thinks it is.
We have a name, not a district. We have dreams, not realities.
This grand University District is underutilized and overzealous. Until you can prove that we need it or that it’s actually there, please get real.
Dear,
Citizen of Spokane
mikeln on November 01 at 7:28 a.m.
Must be a lot of profit in the future for certain people. There is an old railroad bridge already there over the river that could be used and I’m sure making it pedestrian friendy would cost a lot less.
west on November 01 at 8:11 a.m.
Bet all the homeless people will love the bridge to get from seedy Sprague Ave to cross the river , north to other side.The north side of this bridge is the EWU,WSU campus buildings, etc. South side is the rat hole, decaying, Sprague avenue slum. The University District is catchy phrases, like the International District along Sprague…coined by Verner and company to give Spokane some credibility. This isn’t Seattle’s districts, UW district,Femont, Wallingford etc, which are alive with 50,000 students. this is Spokane where a couple of hundred people take some classes and then get in their car and go home. Spokane’s leaders in the 1890’s really screwed the pooch when they decided to build a college 90 miles south of the ‘big city’ in the dirt fields of the Palouse.Just imagine if WSU was located in the so called “University District”..Spokane would be vibrant, not the decaying town it is, no money in city budget etc.
lewis8457 on November 01 at 8:22 a.m.
take notice folks they need to lay off police and fire and close down some libraries but we have enough to build a 8 million dollar foot bridge. I can hear my property taxes going up.
de3 on November 01 at 9:29 a.m.
Several commenters have made good observations - this does seem to be an $8 million bridge to no where, likely to benefit someone’s real estate interests.
Perhaps we should go back to square one and ask:
1. Do we need a bridge?
2. Do we want a bridge? Is it a want or a need?
3. Is there a compromise that could do this for $1 million? $2 million? Would we be willing to fund something less expensive if it involved some compromises?
4. What else could the public receive for an $8 million investment? In other words, what are we choosing NOT to build by spending our $8 million on this?
5. Is there a return on investment calculation for this bridge?
PlanB on November 01 at 10:09 a.m.
I appreciate the forward thinking - better access from the U district to the Red Light and Meth districts.
Seriously, when you draw conclusions based on a false premise (see “The need for the bridges has been identified and confirmed in numerous studies over the years”), the whole argument is invalid.
spokanecougar on November 01 at 10:34 a.m.
Yes, it costs to much so lets just leave the area to the druggies and hookers and tweekers that currently reside in the area. So glad these idiots commenting on here are not the ones actually running this city otherwise Spokane would never get anything built and would still probably have dirt roads and no electricity because you idiots think it would cost to much to install and build. Its called progress people, if you want to live in the past and have a run down crappy ugly city, then move to the Tri-Cities, but I am happy my elected officials are thinking forward and looking to the future and trying to improve run down parts of this city and build a district that will bring in high paying jobs and also bring in more money to this city than this stupid bridge would end up costing. Look beyond one bridge to the bigger picture and all the good this transformed area will bring to Spokane.
Thank you Spokane for continuing to improve my city I call home and build this district which will bring in jobs and money to the city, please continue this besides what these idiots are posting above.
mdriftmeyer on November 01 at 12:02 p.m.
To all the alarmist who don’t grasp the fact that the entire U-District is being built out for a world class Medical University and Bio-Engineering/Bio-Research joint branch for research and corporate development this bridge is part of the master plan build out.
This money is going to be allocated. It’s part of enabling the Spokane Medical district to connect with the U-District.
Grow up. The yearly impact to this city and county will exceed nearly $2 Billion in revenues.
As a mechanical engineer I went to the survey to offer a 3rd option where BNSF restructures their line to be lowered and accomodate half way the solution.
Who knows if it’s an option, but that’s the point of the actual feedback.
Complaining about money that is being allocated for this hub of research is asinine.
Dazzeetrader11 on November 01 at 12:35 p.m.
Driftmeyer…I cannot believe how misinformed you are.
Obviously you’re a cheerleader but world clss? Connection from the medical district to the Univ deistrict? Are you mental son?
I sit on one of those boards and you’re making this up out of whole cloth. This silly Bridge is another VERNER nightmare. It’s meant to do one thing…connect that condo building of RenCorp and Batton so people don’t have to go on Sprague, Division and ride their beloved bike onto the Riverpoint campus..a whole 6 blocks! No they want a bridge so they save 2 block and don’t have to be in traffic….and then the value of RenCorp and Batton’s condos go through the roof.
If you think for one minute the public will be snowed by what this is really about…well think again. Haven’t you noticed that the mayor has squandered money like she’s been drinking? It’s abad time to ask for $15million (the real cost) for a bridge that might be an unnecessary bridge. Have the people bike to school…but screwing the public for another $15 million won’t work. But as for YOU, quit the hallucinations. You’re out of facts and out of line. NO to this goofy bridge…use the bike lanes Verner put in….they must be there for something….they took up lanes of traffic..so use em and quit whining. Damnedable liberal spenders….sheeeeeeesh..
MrNatural on November 01 at 2:09 p.m.
Hey Daisy…don’t blame this one on the libs…There is a faction of folks who are hell bent on a utopian U district and most of them are not at all liberals…It’s nice to dream and I’ll give them that but beyond that I’m on side with those (conservatives) that this is not the time.
Itsgodswill on November 01 at 2:16 p.m.
SpokaneCougar: it’s funny that you’re calling 10+ people idiots who are either asking questions or presenting actual facts and numbers, while you’re presenting the most uneducated opinion on this whole thread.. I think YOU’RE the one who needs to look at the bigger picture instead of just at the bridge. There is a time and place to “upgrade the city”, but right now is not the right time OR place. Let me present this to you on a personal level..If you are at a point of having to cut back your spending just to have the bare essentials, do you think it’s a good time to spend $8,000 on home renovations, even though what you want to “fix” isn’t even broken? Well, it seems to me that Spokane should be cutting back spending to bare essentials considering we have government agencies who are laying off people due to lack of money to keep those people employed, but we’re supposed to have 8 MILLION dollars to install a bridge that frankly is not going to improve the city of Spokane in any way.
Who is really the idiot in this conversation?
Dazzeetrader11 on November 01 at 6:17 p.m.
Natural! lol I blame all bad things on Libs;) You’ve known me long enough to know I think Libs are evil to the core.
That said…this is the stupidest idea Verner’s come up with in November (I’ll limit it to November). Just watch for fake crying when she presents her budget on TV tonight. I watch on the puter from where I am…but forget all her fake emotions. She’s done it to Spokane…again and again..$12 million in debt…but she’ll blame the tapayers…and of course Bush for her woes. …I’d rather spend 8 million ($15 million is the real number)…on street repair or simply not spend it at all….something she’s never heard of apparently. She’s got the liberal itch… She sees money ( somebody elses’) and she must spend it on something…anything…
What has she done again? Something to warrant re-election???? Spokane needs a new mayor and a new council not focused on bike and trees or..now..apparently bridges to Sprague….so her buds won’t have to bike on those new paths..
greenlibertarian on November 01 at 7:45 p.m.
“Daisy Minken on November 01 at 6:17 p.m.
Natural! lol I blame all bad things on Libs;) You’ve known me long enough to know I think Libs are evil to the core.”
That schtick has been around for decades, and yet proponents still engaging in such blather think they bring something new or at least interesting to the debate, when in fact they’re just regurgitating the latest talking points and have NO original thoughts to express.
Sad, really.
Dazzeetrader11 on November 01 at 9:07 p.m.
Oh greeeeeeeeeeeenie..stand down. Sometimes we just have fun in these threads….hang out a bit and you’ll soon understand.
But while I’m at it, I haven’t seen anything original from you…care to pique some interest? Libertarians usually live and let live…not so with you sonny?
Dazzeetrader11 on November 01 at 9:11 p.m.
Wait…libertarian wants to spend 15 million on this bridge for Ren Corp instead of doing the requisite bike riding in those expensive highly desireable bike lanes??? How could this be?
Verner loves those things. Libs and greeenies too! SO it isn’t so! You want the bridge which might deny the bike culture?? Or the bike excercise? How much the hypocrit! Be greeeeen! Live it , love it, abuse people who think it’s plain misleading and overblown ( I’m falling short of calling it STUPID)…but most of all, stay rigid! Alinsky would be oh so proud of you greeenie..
Best be thinking of your Libertarian beliefs though…it might help you…