Low bridges a semi problem
It’s the kind of predicament truck drivers don’t like to find themselves in – stuck under an overpass or stopped in front of one with no way out but back.
And backing up a tractor-trailer rig is no simple matter. It can require the assistance of police to stop traffic.
Despite signs and flashing lights warning truck drivers about low overpasses, some still find themselves in trouble.
“I’ve seen truck drivers go under and peel off the entire top of their trailer,” said Spokane police Sgt. Craig Meidl. “You’d think after the initial loud scraping noise, they’d stop.”
Bartenders at Far West Billiards in downtown Spokane will tell you the problem occurs fairly frequently to truck drivers heading south on Monroe. An embarrassed driver came in asking for assistance just last week.
And the Government Way bridge over Interstate 90 in Coeur d’Alene has had more than its fair share of truck crashes, prompting the current bridge replacement project. It will be finished this year.
The old Government Way bridge was 14 feet, 9 inches high, said Idaho Transportation Department spokeswoman Barbara Babic. A height-detection device before the Sherman exit warned truck drivers, but some just didn’t notice or didn’t care.
“It was all done to standards when originally constructed, but today’s vehicles are bigger,” said Babic, who added that the new bridge will be 17 feet high.
But because all overpasses can’t be replaced – at least not overnight – truck drivers need to be careful.
Plenty of signs warn them of overpasses ahead, said the Spokane Street Department’s Scott Egger.
“The driver is responsible for knowing the height of the vehicle and reading the signs,” Egger said.
Use all five fingers
It’s the time of year when “20 Is Plenty” signs begin sprouting on Spokane neighborhood lawns.
Please heed such friendly reminders this week during the Community Assembly’s Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Awareness Week.
And if the white-gloved or ungloved hands stuck out from area sidewalks confuse you, they’re part of local pedestrian safety advocates’ “Hands Out for Safety” campaign. That effort urges people to stick out their hand to indicate they want to cross the street.
Remember, pedestrians have the right of way at marked and unmarked intersections.
Don’t hang, please
An eagle-eyed “Getting There” reader pointed out last week that the rearview mirror hangers being handed out by the Downtown Spokane Partnership to show routes open during Interstate 90 viaduct construction could be problematic.
It’s not legal to drive with anything like that blocking your vision. You’ve been warned. Keep it in the glove box.
Faster but still painful
A speeding ticket in Post Falls will now be a little more like a quickly ripped-off bandage. Ouch, but at least you’re on your way.
The new e-ticket system lets officers write citations in a fraction of the time of the former, handwritten system. Good news for you (if you’re getting a ticket anyway). Bad news for the guy who might have escaped the radar in days of old as the officer finished up your ticket.
Let “Getting There” know how your e-ticket experience went. Contact information below.
Road maps
Drivers preparing for the 2006 construction season, your maps have arrived.
They detail local projects, big and small. The maps are available at Spokane Valley City Hall, in the Spokane County commissioners and engineering offices, at the Spokane City Hall information desk and at Department of Transportation offices at 2714 N. Mayfair St.
Safety first
How would Stratton Elementary fifth-grader Sierra Pittman handle a friend who crossed the street outside the crosswalk in front of younger students and ignored a request not to do it again?
“I follow through with my cross guard duties to secure safety for younger students and then report to my principal about this student and how she’s setting a bad example for the younger students,” wrote Pittman for a AAA questionnaire.
That answer and a recommendation from her principal earned the Newport youngster a spot Friday in AAA’s Safety Patrol Hall of Fame. Good for you, Sierra.
Car care
Wondering if your car is up to snuff? Get it inspected for free Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Spokane Community College.
The SCC automotive students’ inspections of fluids, belts, tires, lights, wipers and more are part of National Car Care Month. The event is sponsored by the college, Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority and Motion Auto Supply.
DUI school
Drivers who blew it can get a second chance.
Community Colleges of Spokane is offering the state’s alcohol and drug information school on April 22.
The 8 a.m.-5 p.m. class is a requirement for driver’s license reinstatement for many drivers convicted of a DUI infraction.
Another requirement? Not drinking or using drugs before driving.
The $99 course will also be offered on June 17, July 15 and Aug. 19. Call 533-4700 for more information.
Slow going
Work to rehabilitate 29th Avenue gets under way today in Spokane between Southeast Boulevard and Grand Boulevard. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and traffic will not be able to enter or exit Perry at 29th. Detours will be in place.
The westbound I-90 Maple Street off-ramp will be reduced to one lane for much of Wednesday and the interstate itself reduced to two lanes there so crews can repair a damaged barrier.
Sunset Boulevard is closed at Third Avenue and detoured via Fourth Avenue, and Inland Empire Way is closed and detoured via Sixth and Seventh avenues for Spokane’s west side water main project.
Trent Avenue traffic may be bogged down near Hamilton where the curb lanes will be closed at times for road work.
Freya may be restricted to one lane at times between Hartson and 31st for power pole work. The same goes for Crestline between Francis and Lincoln.
Magnolia Street is being repaved between Nebraska Avenue and Central Avenue. No through traffic.
The east lane of Lincoln will be closed Tuesday north of Third Avenue for a movie shoot.
Crack-sealing of Northwest Boulevard between Monroe and Maple streets could delay traffic because up to two lanes may be closed at times.
Spokane street sweeping this week is in: northwest Spokane from “A” to Monroe and Francis to Lincoln; northeast Spokane from Nevada to Division and Wellesley to Euclid; south Spokane from Havana to Ray/Thor and Hartson to 29th. Please move cars off the street.
In Spokane Valley, Flora Road is closed from Montgomery to Mission.
Valleyway is closed during the day from Conklin to Sullivan.
In Idaho, Prairie Avenue remains under construction between Ramsey and Huetter.
The Government Way bridge is closed to traffic.
Fourteenth Avenue in Post Falls will be closed today at the east 200 block for a road cut. Traffic will be detoured.
A short detour is in place at the Seltice Way bridge west of Northwest Boulevard.