Getting There: Patience drivers, road construction continues in Spokane and surrounding areas

A slug of construction projects in Spokane and the surrounding region continues to slow down drivers.

Some of the largest are under contract with the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Repaving of Division Street from Francis Avenue to the “Y” is underway, but much of the work is being done from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. to reduce the impact on traffic.

Another huge repaving job has been underway on Interstate 90 from the Fishtrap interchange to Sprague Lake. Most of the work is being done at night.

Farther to the west, a paving project and freeway widening have been slowing down I-90 traffic east of Snoqualmie Pass to North Bend.

No rock blasting closures are expected this week at Snoqualmie Pass.

Two new passing lanes – one in each direction – are under construction on U.S. Highway 195 near Steptoe. Four other new lanes are also planned for construction in 2018.

Two new freeway bridges for the North Spokane Corridor are under construction at Freya Street north of Francis.

The city of Spokane is stockpiling rock and other fill material adjacent to Greene Street north of the Spokane River for the freeway construction.

Paving continues on state Highway 904 from Betz to Mullenix roads through Cheney.

Trent Avenue from Mission Avenue to Sullivan Road will undergo repaving from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night.

In a project by the Spokane Tribe of Indians, work will likely start this month on a new roundabout next to the casino under development just west of Craig Road.

Inner-city work

In Spokane, the city project to rebuild Lincoln and Monroe streets from Main to Second avenues is now completed. The last traffic restrictions were removed on Friday.

Monroe is on a detour route at the north end of the bridge over the river. Crews are laying pipe connections for a huge stormwater collection tank north of the river.

New sidewalks, curb extensions, handicapped ramps and signage are being installed at Regal Street and Rich Avenue; at Garland Avenue and Cook Street; at Empire Avenue and Cook; and along Cook from Empire to Bridgeport avenues.

Work on a sewer holding tank near the downtown library will result in an additional lane closure starting Monday on Spokane Falls Boulevard.

On the city’s South Side, a major street and utility project continues to close 37th Avenue from Regal to Ray streets.

Numerous sewer holding tanks are still under construction across the city. T.J. Meenach Drive is closed for one of the installations, which are intended to prevent pollution from getting into the Spokane River.

In Spokane County, Geiger Boulevard from Thomas Mallen to Hayford roads will be closed for water main work.

Meanwhile, in Idaho

North Idaho is also undergoing a lot of road construction on I-90, U.S. Highway 95, Government Way and Seltice Way.

From streets to skies

Larry Krauter, the CEO at Spokane International Airport, has been named the top airport director for small airports in the country.

The award came from Airport Revenue News.

“After speaking to many aviation executives about a worthy candidate, the name of Larry Krauter was consistently raised,” said Ramon Lo, publisher of Airport Revenue News in a news release.

“Larry is highly respected within the aviation world, with his efforts in advocating for the aviation industry in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he has increased air service at Spokane International and expects to soon undertake a redevelopment and expansion” of the airport.

Also in the news release, Krauter said, “I am humbled to receive this recognition from ARN and my peers, who are themselves very dedicated public servants accomplishing so much in challenging times.”

Krauter is a graduate of Ohio State University. He is an accredited airport executive and a licensed member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, the news release said.

Krauter was hired by the airport board in 2011 after being interim executive director of the Lehigh Valley Airport in Pennsylvania.

Spokane Valley construction

In Spokane Valley, work is underway on East 12th Avenue near Bowdish Road; Bowdish near Eighth Avenue; Euclid Avenue near Tschirley Road; Saltese Road near 16th Avenue; and Sullivan Road near Euclid Avenue.