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

Getting There: Busy North Side intersection getting roundabout

Automobiles crisscross through the intersection of Mill and Waikiki roads last week in Mead. The intersection will undergo safety improvements with a new roundabout. It will force a closure from June to August. (Dan Pelle)

The popular arterial route on the west side of Whitworth University is going to be closed to through traffic later this spring for major reconstruction, including installation of a roundabout.

From Wall Street on the south to Mill Road on the north, the arterial provides a major north-south link through northwest Spokane.

Inland Asphalt Co. of Spokane won a $1.78 million contract for the construction, expected to start as early as the second week of May.

Initially, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction, down from the existing four-lane route, to allow for installation of storm sewers.

After schools recess for the summer, the contractor will launch into the heart of the project – a roundabout to serve Waikiki Road at Mill Road.

Traffic will be unable to pass north and south through that clinch point, said Paul Lennemann, construction engineer for Spokane County.

Workers will maintain access for residents and others using the roads near the construction, including the leg of Waikiki that extends west from the roundabout location.

Portions of the arterial will be converted from the existing four-lane configuration to a three-lane system involving two through lanes, a middle turn lane and two bike lanes.

That is intended to make the route safer.

Two lanes in each direction will continue to serve the segment designated as Wall Street from Country Homes Boulevard to Whitworth Drive.

Part of the job includes putting a new coating on Wall to prevent the pavement from deteriorating.

The rest of the arterial from Whitworth Drive to Hastings Road will get new pavement.

“We’ve needed to rebuild that road for quite a few years,” Lennemann said.

Work is expected to be completed by late summer.

Bloomsday bus reminder

Spokane Transit Authority is reminding Bloomsday participants to catch their shuttle buses early. A shuttle sticker is available for $1.50.

Shuttles run from Spokane Valley Mall, Ferris High School, NorthTown Mall and the Red Barn at Eastern Washington University starting at 6:30 a.m.

Little Spokane bridge

The Little Spokane River Bridge just north of Wandermere is closing today on a project to replace the bridge. Motorists will have to detour around the site during the work.

Arterials closing

Sewer repair work will force closure of two arterials this week. Altamont Street from Mt. Vernon Street to 12th Avenue will be closed Tuesday. Columbia Avenue from Standard to Addison streets will be closed Tuesday through Thursday.

Pend Oreille bridge

The Pend Oreille County bridge over the Pend Oreille River at Ione will be reduced to a single lane with a temporary traffic signal in place to control traffic.

Workers are painting and repairing the bridge. Minor delays are likely.

Farr Road restrictions

In Spokane Valley, Farr Road between Appleway Boulevard and Sprague Avenue will have lane closures from 7 a.m. through midafternoon on Thursday. Flaggers will direct traffic.

Also, the curb lanes on University Road at Fourth and 16th avenues will be closed intermittently during work hours through Friday for sidewalk work. Flaggers will direct traffic.

Pullman’s J Route ending

Pullman Transit is planning major changes by eliminating the current J Route, redesigning other routes and adding a new route to serve Golden Hills, Wawawai Road and the university campus area.

The A and E routes on the north side of Pullman will not see any changes.

I-90 work near Easton

Work on Interstate 90 near Easton will result in single lane closures on Mondays through Thursdays until Memorial Day. An additional lane is being opened on weekends, but that extra lane serves eastbound traffic on Fridays and Saturdays and westbound traffic on Sundays.

Crews are replacing aging concrete panels. The work shifts to nights during the summer driving season.

At the multiyear construction site on the east side of Snoqualmie Pass, no rock blasting delays are planned this week. Minor delays are possible through the construction zone.

Contractors are widening the freeway to six lanes east of Hyak along Keechelus Lake.