Cataldo Road Blockade To Be Lifted

The barrier now blocking Cataldo Road at Mission Avenue is coming down.

Spokane County commissioners voted 3-0 this week to remove the concrete structure.

The county put up the blockade in 1992 after residents complained that speeders were tearing up and down Cataldo and Ravalli.

Commuters trying to avoid congestion on Sullivan Road used the two streets as a shortcut to Broadway.

Neighbors said the increased traffic was hampering their lifestyles and endangering their children.

Kids couldn’t play in what should be quiet, residential streets because of the cars, they said.

But at a public hearing last month, residents from other nearby streets complained that the speeders had migrated down a few blocks and were now using their streets as thoroughfares.

Commissioner Steve Hasson, who voted in 1992 to erect the barrier, said Tuesday that circumstances had changed.

Since 1992, Sullivan has been widened to seven lanes, easing congestion, Hasson said.

In addition, Valley fire officials recently expressed concern that the barrier hinders their response to the neighborhood, he said.

Some people hailed the decision to remove the barrier.

David Thompson, a resident on nearby St. Charles Road, sent commissioners a petition with 51 signatures calling for the removal of the barrier.

Thompson said since the structure went up, drivers have been using his street as a shortcut instead of Cataldo and Ravalli.

That put his kids at risk, he said.

“We didn’t want to see a precedent set, that you could just get residential streets blocked off,” Thompson said Tuesday night. “Some people wanted to create a private playground for their kids. That’s what parks are for.”

But a resident on Ravalli said the decision was wrong.

“We’re going to have a raceway through here,” Warren Coutts said. “I was quite amazed that’s what they decided to do.”

County traffic engineer Bob Brueggeman said workers probably will take down the barrier next week.

They’ll also erect signs that say, “No Thru Traffic,” Brueggeman said.

, DataTimes