Maple-Ash work among planned street projects
The Maple-Ash corridor in northwest Spokane will be closed in segments beginning in mid-April for the second phase of a voter-approved reconstruction of the two main arterials.
Bids are being sought for the project, which is part of a 10-year, $117 million street improvement program voters approved at the polls in 2004.
The work involves segments on both streets from Northwest Boulevard to Wellesley Avenue. Cost is estimated at $5 million
The Maple-Ash job is one of five arterial projects scheduled for this summer under the bond issue.
As in previous years, projects this season are being spread to different parts of town to minimize traffic disruptions, but also out of fairness to property taxpayers who are footing the bill. The schedule also seeks to improve heavily traveled corridors first because of safety concerns and public transit needs.
Tom Arnold, director of city engineering services, said, “We could have done the worst first,” but officials decided to spend the money in a more targeted way.
Other projects slated for work this year are Crestline Street from Illinois to Wellesley avenues; Sherman Street from Third to Eighth avenues, and Southeast Boulevard from Perry to Sherman streets; Washington Street from Boone to Buckeye avenues; and 29th Avenue from Southeast to Freya Street.
Work on Maple and Ash will begin on Maple Street next month and then move to Ash after work on Maple is finished. The combined length is about three miles.
A third phase is slated next year for segments from Broadway Avenue to Northwest Boulevard.
The bond issue will pay for curb-to-curb rehabilitation, which involves excavating the subgrade of the road and rebuilding it with gravel for better drainage and strength.
New concrete intersections are planned at Wellesley and Garland avenues. In addition, handicap-accessible curb ramps will be installed.
A separate federal grant is paying for installation of a fiber optic “intelligent transportation system” to help monitor traffic flow and reduce congestion resulting from traffic accidents. The idea is to minimize vehicle exhaust emissions that are a threat to the city’s air quality.
While the street surfaces are torn up, the city Water Department will install a new 18-inch water main on Wellesley and 10- and 24-inch water mains on Garland Avenue.
The city’s arborist has approved removal of 11 trees along the two construction segments, but they will be replaced in a new cooperative program with the Spokane County Conservation District, which will supply the new trees.
Recommended detours will be posted.
During work on the northbound Maple segment, signs will seek to divert traffic onto Driscoll Boulevard and Alberta Street. When Ash Street is closed, the preferred detour will be designated as Monroe Street.
Driveways and intersections will remain open during construction but may be restricted when work occurs adjacent to them.