Street Projects Hit Dead End Post Falls Trying To Combat Problems From Increased Traffic, But Funds Scarce

During the 5 p.m. rush hour, Clay Larkin watches the intersection of Idaho Street and Mullan Avenue with some trepidation.

A busy intersection about to get busier, the crossroads at Larkin’s doorstep already has had plenty of accidents.

He sees the near misses, the occasional collisions and, on a recent evening, he watched a trailer nearly clip a stop sign.

Taking his experience to the City Council, he’s pushed for the installation of a traffic signal with this assessment: “It’s a real nightmare, folks.”

But like so many other problem stretches of road around town, there’s no sure source of money to fix this intersection.

The City Council is trying to find money for street projects this month while it evaluates the coming year’s budget. But officials say it’s unlikely that the projects will get done in the near future, given the public demand to keep tax rates down.

Traffic problems are getting worse as the city grows, but streets don’t generate money like other city services such as water and sewer. As a result, Post Falls is struggling to come up with the money needed to prevent accidents and gridlock.

“Traffic has probably doubled around here in the last couple of years,” said police Chief Cliff Hayes. Accidents have increased proportionately.

Hayes agrees that Idaho and Mullan is not an ideal intersection, but worse yet is Fourth Street and Seltice Way, just off the Interstate 90 overpass near Tidyman’s grocery store.

“When you look at Fourth and Seltice, we almost never get away with accidents without injuries,” Hayes said.

The city plans to ask the state for help fixing its most dangerous intersection because it involves Interstate 90, a state-controlled freeway.

In Post Falls, the heavy traffic seems to follow the arrival of big grocery stores.

Just as Tidyman’s brought with it the need for better access and intersections on its flanks, so will Super 1 Foods. It’s due to open in a few weeks next door to Larkin’s house.

“That’s going to double the traffic,” Larkin predicted. “At one point it was imperative to do something. Now it’s gone from imperative to critical.”

The city has contracted a traffic study for the area, paid with annexation fees, the first step in getting street improvements done. Also, Super 1 Foods has agreed to pay for about 10 percent of the cost of a traffic light. Installing the signals will cost at least $125,000.

But in addition, the city has to purchase right-of-way to make the street the proper width. A related project, widening narrow sections of Idaho Road, is estimated to cost $1.1 million.

A grant the city applied for fell through. And last year, the City Council considered raising its utility franchise fees from 3 to 5 percent to praise money for streets - following the example of Coeur d’Alene.

But the state Legislature capped the amount that cities can charge utility companies at 3 percent last session.

“…I don’t see a source of funding,” sighed public works director Paul Diener.

Money to install a traffic signal this fall at Greensferry Road and Seltice Way is coming out of funds set aside last year for local street improvement districts.

Several streets are unpaved in Post Falls, but many more lack curbs and sidewalks. The city is trying to set up a matching fund for local improvement districts to get those streets upgraded, a city-wide project that could cost $8 million.

The rough draft of the budget shows another $250,000 being set aside for the LID matching fund, but other critical needs may divert that money elsewhere.

On its budget wish list, the street department is asking for an additional $16,950 in maintenance, and $33,800 in new equipment. The total preliminary street budget is $679,000, about $50,000 over last year’s budget. The budget is still being finalized.

Diener said his staff tried to hold the line on its budget request.

“I haven’t heard anyone come in and say, ‘I’d like you to add 2 percent to my taxes so you can put more streets in’,” he said.

Although Larkin doesn’t like the looks of the intersection next to his home of 26 years, he doesn’t want his taxes raised to fix it.

Asked who should pay for the improvements, he answered, “What caused the problem to begin with? Development.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Post Falls street project

MEMO: Street budget The total preliminary street budget is $679,000, about $50,000 more than last year. The budget is still being finalized.