Council Approves Traffic Computer

Spokane drivers may soon find it easier to get across town.

A $1.2 million, cutting-edge computer system designed to smooth the flow of traffic gained the City Council’s unanimous approval Monday.

The system - paid for by state and federal money - will “optimize signal timing” at 199 of the city’s 250 intersections, said Transportation Director Bruce Steele.

“This improves transportation efficiencies, and benefits air quality at the same time,” Steele said.

“It’s been a long time in coming as far as I’m concerned,” said Mayor Jack Geraghty.

The new traffic-control computer will replace two older models, Steele said. One was installed seven years ago, the other 15.

“The IBM (personal computer) wasn’t even for sale 15 years ago,” he said.

The current system requires the on-site timing of each traffic light with hand calculations. The new one is capable of programming traffic lights citywide, all from City Hall.

The computer will allow traffic flows to be adjusted for major events, such as Bloomsday or the Lilac Parade, Steele said.

The city plans to begin installing the new system within a few weeks. Eventually, all 250 intersections will be included.

Also Monday, the council postponed for two weeks its decision on a grocery store proposed for the East Central neighborhood.

Judy Hart wants to build a store between Third and Fourth avenues and Thor and Ray streets, and lease it to an as-yet-unnamed grocery chain.

The project calls for changing the lot’s zoning from residential to business, and vacating an unpaved stretch of Ralph between Third and Fourth.

Saying she needed more time to consider the plan, Councilwoman Roberta Greene asked for the delay, which was unanimously approved by her colleagues.

Councilmen Orville Barnes and Mike Brewer were absent.

“This is such a crucial plan for this neighborhood. … This is a very sensitive issue,” Greene said, adding she was bothered by testimony indicating the neighborhood’s steering committee opposed the plan.

Eileen Thomas, a committee member, said her group raised several questions about the traffic impacts that were never answered.

“I guess because we’re a low-income neighborhood, we don’t have any say in the matter,” Thomas said.

Unlike earlier plans for a Tidyman’s store, Hart’s proposal hasn’t caused much outcry from neighbors.

The seven public meetings have been lightly attended, Hart said.

Tidyman’s withdrew plans in 1994 after haggling with residents about the project for more than two years.

While the Tidyman’s project would have replaced at least 37 homes, Hart’s proposal involves 12 homes - and she and her family own them all.

Hart plans a 48,000-square-foot store, compared with Tidyman’s original plans for a 107,000-square-foot store.

, DataTimes