Sprague repaving project resumes

A repaving project on Sprague Avenue from Park to Vista roads that was delayed from 2013 will get started today.

Crews were nearly finished with the work last fall when a sudden cold snap ended the paving season, said Craig Aldworth, Spokane senior engineer.

During the work this spring, traffic will be reduced to two westbound lanes. In addition, Park Road will have closures during the work, forcing drivers to detour.

Brief driveway closures are expected on Sprague, but crews will let businesses know in advance and maintain as much access as possible for customers.

Crews will be laying a 2-inch asphalt overlay. Sidewalks, curbs and stormwater improvements were completed last year.

The work is likely to create traffic congestion, so drivers may want to avoid the area.

Sprague Avenue will be getting other resurfacing work throughout the season, Aldworth said.

The city is ready to start a $1 million repaving at Argonne Road and Sprague on May 12, including repaving of Argonne to Broadway Avenue.

Another section of Sprague scheduled for resurfacing this season is from Havana to Interstate 90.

Also, work is planned at Sprague and Fancher Road and on Sprague eastward from I-90 to University Road.

Once this year’s work is done, the city will have repaved the entire length of Sprague from Havana to Sullivan over a six-year period, city officials said.

I-90 lanes closing

Lane and vehicle width restrictions are underway on I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass and will continue for nearly two weeks, until April 26.

Delays of up to two hours are possible during peak travel times. Morning or late-evening hours typically have lighter traffic loads and should have the least delays, officials said.

The restrictions will be along a 4-mile stretch of I-90 that is undergoing a widening from four to six lanes. Crews getting ready for this season’s work will be setting up detours, requiring them to close one lane in each direction. That will leave a single lane to handle traffic.

“We can’t stress how important it is for drivers to know before they go,” said Don Whitehouse, regional administrator for the state Department of Transportation. “Before heading out the door, drivers should plan ahead – or consider changing their travel plans altogether – in order to avoid major delays during the lane closures.”

For real-time updates on traffic, go to wsdot.com/traffic and click on Snoqualmie Pass.

Car inspection event

Spokane Community College will host a car care inspection event Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the automotive building on campus.

Motion Auto Supply, WIX Filters and Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency are participating.

“A neglected vehicle can be dangerous to drive,” said Tim Trudnowski, president of Motion Auto Supply.

“Finding mechanical problems and reporting them to the owners is the main goal of this event,” Trudnowski said. “When maintenance is neglected, vehicle owners can face high repair costs.”

Bits and pieces

• Lowering water levels on Lake Roosevelt may require moving Keller Ferry service to its alternate north shore terminal this week. The relocation procedure takes several hours, causing delays at the ferry. For ferry status, call (888) 808-7977.

• Resumption of construction of a new interchange at U.S. Highway 195 and Cheney-Spokane Road is awaiting warmer weather so that hot asphalt is available and can be laid, state officials said.

• A repaving project is scheduled to begin today on North Cedar Road. There will be flaggers in place and road closures as needed. Gutters are being reshaped to handle stormwater and soft spots known as “mud boils” will be excavated, city officials said.

• Also in Spokane Valley, utility work will cause brief closures of Mirabeau Parkway from Pinecroft Way to Mansfield Avenue on Mondays through Thursdays from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.