Council votes to repave Bridge Avenue

The one-block street that is the closest link between the Monroe Street and Post Street bridges will be repaved.

The Spokane City Council voted 5-2 Monday to move ahead with a full repaving of Bridge Avenue between Lincoln and Monroe streets.

The road has been torn up for several months to allow Avista to install new ducts for wiring that will be used by the Kendall Yards development west of Monroe. The city water department installed a new water main under the street.

Post Street Bridge, now under weight restrictions, is expected to be closed to traffic in the next few years and converted into a pedestrian bridge. Given those plans, some question whether Bridge Avenue should be maintained.

The city parks department owns both sides of the street, and the Park Board recently requested its staff to investigate vacating the road, Park Board President Gary Lawton said.

Under the plan approved Monday, Avista will pay about $28,000 of the repaving cost. Street bond money approved by voters a few years ago will pay for almost $27,000, and the city water department will cover nearly $40,000.

Councilman Al French argued that with so many bridge closure plans up in the air, the city should move forward with a full paving of the torn-up street in time for Bloomsday, which uses the block for vehicles.

But Councilman Bob Apple, joined by Councilman Richard Rush in voting no, said it’s silly to spend money on paving with the long-term future of the block uncertain.