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

Getting There: 7th annual Neighbor Day arrives on Saturday at Felts Field

Jaxon Shuman, 4, explores the nose gunner’s space in the nose of a Mitchell B-25 which was parked June 3, 2016, at Felts Field  in preparation for Neighbor Day. The annual event will take place Saturday. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

As many as 10,000 to 12,000 people are likely to turn out for the seventh annual Felts Field Neighbor Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The free event will feature historic aircraft aloft as well as static displays.

“It’s a fun event,” said Todd Woodard, spokesman for Felts Field and Spokane International Airport.

“It stresses the importance of aviation. It’s a good way for us to come together as a Felts Field community,” he said.

The event is a drop-in show where people typically spend up to a couple of hours checking out the attractions.

The Historic Flight Foundation based at Paine Field in Everett is bringing more than five airplanes to the show.

They include a P-51 Mustang, F8F Bearcat, TBM Avenger, DC-3 and DHC-2 Beaver.

John Sessions, the principal at the Historic Flight Foundation, will be offering paid rides aboard the DC-3 and Beaver. The funds from the fares will go to benefit the foundation.

Inland Helicopters will also have rides available, Woodard said.

Also on display will be locally owned aircraft, including a Boeing 40, a Grumman Goose, a Stearman biplane and others.

Life Flight Network, Spokane Turbine Center, Quest Aviation and Rocket Engineering will be among local operators in the exhibits.

The aviation maintenance program from Spokane Community College, and the Spokane chapter of the Washington Pilots Association will have displays.

Eight food trucks will have offerings, and they are likely to be busy. The number is up from five food trucks last year, Woodard said.

If you don’t go to Neighbor Day, you can still watch the sky for one of the historic aircraft to pass overhead.

I-90 repairs

Eastbound lane restrictions on Interstate 90 at Arthur Street will return early Tuesday with only two through lanes.

In addition, the Walnut/Maple Street eastbound on ramp will be closed through June 11.

“Eastbound drivers should expect slow traffic, congestion and delays, especially during commute hours and should seek alternate routes,” state officials said.

A plan to reduce one of the three westbound lanes starting Tuesday near the Hamilton Street interchange has been delayed until mid-June.

Workers are repairing concrete and bridge expansion joints on the overpasses above Third Avenue.

Work is slated to wrap up on June 22 in time for Hoopfest.

Oil spill cleanup

In Hillyard, the state Department of Ecology has opened a public comment period on plans to clean up a deep oil spill west of Market Street and south of Wellesley Avenue in the vicinity of the route of a new north Spokane corridor freeway.

The comment period ends June 22.

To comment, go online to http://bit.ly/2r2zLxM.

You may also contact the cleanup site manager Jeremy Schmidt at (509) 329-3484 with questions.

Resurfacing open house

In Cheney, the state transportation department is holding an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Wren Pierson Community Center about an upcoming resurfacing of state Highway 904 from Betz to Mullenix roads.

Staff will be on hand to provide details on the project, which includes new sidewalk ramps, updated stoplights and new signs and markers.

Construction is slated to start June 19 for the eight-week project.

Around the region

Elsewhere in the region, the Keller Ferry across the Columbia River on state Highway 21 was taken out of service last week for repairs on the ramp at the north landing.

To the north, a one-lane temporary bridge is serving traffic on Highway 21 pending construction of a new bridge.

Asphalt work is planned on state Highway 21 north of Wilbur; state Highway 28 from Davenport to Lamona; state Highway 31 from Tiger to Metaline Falls; state Highway 174 from Wilbur to the Grant County line; and state Highway 291 from Suncrest to state Highway 231.

Trent Avenue is getting new handicapped-accessible sidewalks from Mission Avenue to Evergreen Road.

U.S. Highway 395 is closed at Matsen Creek in Stevens County until washout damage is repaired.

Re-striping will be underway on state Highway 272 from Colfax to the Idaho state line.

New expansion joints are going into the Old Highway Bridge on U.S. Highway 195 at Pine Creek. Flaggers will direct traffic during work hours.

The Columbia River bridge on state Highway 25 at Northport is getting maintenance for corrosion. Single-lane traffic will be in force.

Spokane roadwork

In Spokane, sidewalk work continues on Division and Browne streets as part of an upgrade of the streets along the main freeway entrance to the city.

Thirty-seventh Avenue from Freya to Ray streets remains closed for reconstruction.

Sprague Avenue from Helena to Stone streets is closed for a major renovation.

Businesses on the strip are counting on loyal customers to keep them going during the closure.

New handicapped-accessible sidewalk ramps are going in at Wellesley Avenue and Assembly Street and at 37th Avenue and Lindeke Street.

Traffic on First and Sprague avenues is restricted due to a sewer overflow tank installation at Adams Street.

Also closed is Spokane Falls Boulevard next to the Downtown Library for a sewer overflow tank project.

Upriver Drive from Rebecca to Freya streets is closed for tank installation.

The right lane of Spokane Falls Boulevard is closed next to construction at Riverfront Park.

Spokane Valley

In Spokane Valley, Indiana Avenue from Mirabeau Parkway to Evergreen Road is reduced to one lane in each direction during daytime work hours.

Also, a nighttime lane closure for eastbound traffic on Indiana will be in effect on Thursday through Thursday.

In addition, Mirabeau Parkway will be closed through June 3 from Mansfield to Indiana avenues.

Spokane County

In Spokane County, lane closures and restrictions are in effect on Market Street north of Francis Avenue for a major road project.

Other projects involve lane restrictions on Country Homes Boulevard and on Monroe and Wall streets north of Francis.

Coeur d’Alene roadwork

In Coeur d’Alene, several major projects are underway on I-90 and U.S. Highway 95, leading to lane restrictions.

From Tuesday through Friday, workers will grind asphalt and pave the stretch of U.S. 95 from Lacrosse Avenue to Interstate 90.

The interchange of U.S. 95 and Interstate 90 will have intermittent closures.