Officials examine cross-state bus line idea

A bus link between Spokane and Coeur d’Alene is getting increased attention from Spokane and Kootenai county transportation officials as the population in both counties and cross-state traffic increases.

A group interested in public transportation recently began meeting in Kootenai County, and creating cross-state bus service is one of its top three priorities.

“We’re going to spend a little time researching what it would take to make it happen,” said Glenn Miles, executive director of the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The Spokane Transit Authority also is on board with the idea of at least studying such service. The agency is beginning by looking at how other communities, such as Portland and Vancouver, Wash., handle public transportation between cities in different states, said STA Planner Ryan Stewart.

Vanpool capacity is at its maximum, said Anne Irmer, who manages STA’s program. One vanpool travels from Spokane to Post Falls and eight more make the commute from North Idaho to Spokane. Together they carry more than 100 passengers.

Irmer said that although those vanpools are full, those interested in the program should contact STA in case space becomes available.

Meanwhile, Citylink ridership in Idaho has been steadily growing, and service has been expanded to new areas. The five routes include Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, Worley, Plummer, Tensed and DeSmet.

In June, more than 33,000 people rode Citylink buses, almost double the number who rode a year earlier. Ridership is projected to reach 35,000 by August.

The gap between Citylink and STA routes is about three miles – the distance from Cabela’s in Post Falls to Liberty Lake.

Any cross-state bus service, however, would more likely be direct from Coeur d’Alene or Post Falls to Spokane, Miles said. That would minimize transfers.

But exactly how it would work and who would operate it remains to be seen, Miles said. “At this point, there are more questions than answers.”

Highway 2 work

Construction on the Highway 2 Deep Creek Bridge, west of Airway Heights, is set to begin today.

The $505,000 Washington State Department of Transportation project involves replacing the bridge railing and asphalt surface.

Traffic will be reduced to a single lane with flaggers. The speed limit is reduced to 30 mph, and trucks wider than 11 feet will be detoured.

Construction is expected to wrap up in October.

Ferry surveillance

The Washington State Patrol is testing an automatic license plate recognition system at two of its ferry docks: downtown Seattle’s Colman Dock and the Bainbridge Island terminal.

If a plate is connected to any law enforcement watch list, WSP will be notified so that troopers can be dispatched.

Become a jetsetter

So you’re one of the deprived people who can’t afford a private jet. Worry no more.

Now you, too, can fly in style.

A new Web site, www.jointhejetsetters.com, will match you up to someone with a private jet headed in your direction.

Of course, as the Web site instructs, you’ll have to make sure you dress appropriately (collared shirt, etc.) if you want to fly.

And you can bet it’s more expensive than flying Southwest.

Slow going

• Downtown

Spokane Falls Boulevard is reduced to one lane in the vicinity of the Convention Center.

• North Spokane

Driscoll Boulevard from Alberta to Assembly streets will be closed for work set to begin today.

Maple Street is closed from the bridge to Northwest Boulevard, with Northwest Boulevard reduced to one lane from Walnut to Oak streets.

Belt Street is closed between August and Montgomery avenues.

Division Street traffic may be impacted from North Foothills Drive to Houston Avenue at night while crews install fiber optic cable.

Freya Street is reduced to one lane in each direction from Alki to Springfield avenues.

Hamilton Street will have intermittent lane closures from Sharp Avenue to North Foothills Drive.

Denison-Chattaroy Road is closed from Highway 2 to North Road.

• South Spokane

Third Avenue from Magnolia to Ray streets, Fourth Avenue from Magnolia to Regal streets, Crestline from Third to Fifth avenues, and Magnolia and Regal from Third to Fifth avenues are under construction.