Valley Couplet Ready For Review By County Commissioners

Sat., May 10, 1997

By Brian Coddington brianc@spokesman.com

Spokane County engineers released the Valley Couplet’s final supplemental environmental impact statement this week with minor revisions in response to comments from residents, environmentalists, business owners and fire officials.

The project and five other alternatives are now scheduled for review by the county commissioners during Tuesday’s weekly meeting.

The commissioners could choose to adopt one of the alternatives, postpone their decision or schedule another public hearing on the Valley Couplet, said Jim Haines, project engineer.

The most significant change to the final supplemental environmental impact statement is the inclusion of the engineers’ intent to explore different alternatives for reconfiguring Sprague Avenue, Haines said.

Residents have been critical of the plan to narrow Sprague Avenue to five lanes.

The Sprague Avenue leg also has been criticized by business owners whose responsibility it would be to maintain green space planned along the section.

Copies of the final supplemental environmental impact statement are available for review at the Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne, and Valley Library, 12004 E. Main. A limited number of copies also are available at no cost from the county Public Works Department.

The Valley Couplet proposes two sets of one-way lanes that would run between Thierman and University roads along Sprague, First and Second avenues and the old Milwaukee Railroad right of way. County engineers believe the couplet is the best of six alternatives to relieve traffic congestion along Sprague Avenue.

Construction of the couplet could begin in the spring of 2000. Design work on the couplet will begin when county commissioners choose an alternative.

Eventually, the couplet could extend all the way to Liberty Lake.

Nine letters from concerned residents, business owners, environmentalists and Valley Fire officials are included in the final supplemental environmental impact statement. The transcript of a March public hearing also is included.

Some of the comments about the project were supportive, and several suggested minor changes to access roads and stop lights. Currently, 12 north-south roads would connect the couplet’s two legs.

Others expressed concerns that the project could force large amounts of traffic into residential areas south of the proposed couplet, that it would displace several homes along the western half of the couplet, that it discourages mass transit, and that it does not adequately protect the Dishman Hills Natural Area.

County engineers are no longer accepting official comments, but will continue to meet with business owners and other groups during the design phase, Haines said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TO GET A COPY Copies of the final supplemental environmental impact statement are available at the Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne, and Valley Library, 12004 E. Main. Some copies also are available from the county Public Works Department.

This sidebar appeared with the story: TO GET A COPY Copies of the final supplemental environmental impact statement are available at the Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne, and Valley Library, 12004 E. Main. Some copies also are available from the county Public Works Department.