Paving to close Spokane streets

Temperatures are rising in Spokane, and tempers may follow.

Driving on Third Avenue is about to get a whole lot worse this evening and Friday as crews begin grading and paving.

Not only will Third be reduced to one lane, but most major north-south arterials crossing Third will also be shut-down.

Lincoln? Closed.

Post, Wall and Howard? Ditto.

Stevens and Washington will be down to one lane for much of the time, but closed when pavers reach them. There’s no scheduled time for those closures.

Detours will be established for Washington and Stevens but not the other arterials, said city of Spokane engineer Bill Todd.

The Interstate 90 exit at Lincoln will also be closed from 6 tonight to 8 a.m. Friday.

All the closures are likely to cause long delays as traffic shifts over to the only other major north-south arterials downtown, the Division/Browne and Maple/Walnut corridors.

And businesses along side streets between Second and Third avenues will be accessible only from Second.

Todd said this week’s paving work will likely be the most disruptive part of the $4 million Third Avenue water main and paving project.

Crews will later lay the top course of asphalt, but that work will take place at night only, he said.

So if your travels take you downtown in the next day or so, crank up the air conditioning in your car.

You might need it to keep your cool.