Developers will help pay for extension of Barnes Road

Thu., March 9, 2006

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

Developers in the Indian Trail and Five Mile neighborhoods have agreed to finance half of the $1 million cost of a new paved route connecting the two fast-growing sections of northwest Spokane.

The Spokane City Council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution calling for construction of an extension of Barnes Road from the Indian Trail Neighborhood to Strong Road on Five Mile Prairie.

Opening the new arterial route will improve Fire Department access from Station No. 17 on Indian Trail Road to the Five Mile area to the west. The Barnes Road extension is being promoted as an alternate route for motorists during emergencies and during a planned widening of Five Mile Road in coming years. A fire last summer closed Indian Trail Road.

City officials said the road extension also would allow residents of Five Mile Prairie easier access to a commercial center at Indian Trail and Barnes roads.

However, some residents have raised concerns about the road extension because it could increase traffic on old county roads in the Five Mile area that are substandard for increased suburban traffic.

Councilman Rob Crow, who lives in one of the newer housing subdivisions on Five Mile Prairie, said he shares concerns with his neighbors that the quality of roads on Five Mile is inadequate for the number of vehicles using them.

Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin said the city has plans to improve the roads and is seeking funding for those projects, including the planned widening of Five Mile Road.

Fire Chief Bobby Williams said his Indian Trail fire crew currently uses a circuitous route to respond to emergencies on Five Mile Prairie. He said the proposed Barnes Road extension would cut in half the travel distance for fire engine No. 17 from about 3.8 miles to 1.7 miles.

Property owners and developers of several projects in the area have agreed to provide half of the financing as a group. The city and county would each pay 25 percent of the cost.

In other business, the council approved property tax assessment rolls for street improvements within two local improvement districts. The improvements are for 13th Avenue from Cherry Street to Ash Street and for Dalton Avenue from Stuart Street to Mayfair Street.

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