Road Improvements Scheduled

Spring has sprung,

The grass has riz,

I wonder where the road crew is.

Yes, it’s the time of year when motorists will be sharing the road with construction crews.

Although there is no major work in the north end of the city or county this year, some minor inconveniences are expected, according to transportation officials.

Starting last week, a resurfacing project began on parts of Division Street and the Newport Highway.

The state hopes to complete the stretch from Francis Avenue to Hastings Road. The work includes paving, widening and overlays.

On U.S. Highway 2 there will be some work all the way to Day-Mount Spokane Road, where traffic signals are being installed.

The Department of Transportation also will be doing patching and smoothing on the new bridge on U.S. Highway 395.

In the city, widening and channelization is set to take place on Division, Queen and Wellesley around NorthTown.

The work is scheduled to begin July 1 and end Labor Day.

Another widening project will occur on Market between the Greene Street Bridge and Rich. Construction there will occur in July and August.

In other transportation news, the state Department of Transportation will host an open house this afternoon at Lakeside High School to discuss state Highway 291.

The agency has been studying tripdestination and travel patterns of residents who live in Stevens County and commute to Spokane.

The agency is analyzing several alternatives that would give cars access to the city without going through congested intersections in Indian Trail.

There is no agenda for the open house, which is set from 3 to 7 p.m. at Lakeside High, 5909 Highway 291.