State replacing highway signage near Spokane airport
The faded highway signs near Spokane International Airport look tacky, to say the least.
The Washington state Department of Transportation is going to fix the problem starting today.
DOT crews will replace the faded highway signs in the vicinity of the airport between now and May.
Drivers are asked to watch out for crews as well as possible lane and shoulder closures.
Construction Ahead Inc., of Kennewick, won a $168,000 grant for the work.
The sign replacement is just one of the repair projects occurring on state routes in Spokane.
Elsewhere, Interstate 90 is getting new guardrails in several locations. The work is being done during off-peak hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The existing guardrails do not meet current standards. Replacement should increase freeway safety in case of a crash, transportation officials said.
The installations are between the Broadway and Argonne interchanges and in the vicinity of interchanges for Hamilton Street, Thor Street and Stateline.
Lane restrictions or narrowed lanes may present a hazard for drivers.
Frank Gurney Inc., of Spokane, has a $400,000 contract for the work.
Annual bike swap
The 4th Annual Spokane Bike Swap at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center will be Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bike owners can place their bikes for sale and other riders can buy them and save some money. It’s a great place for families to get their kids outfitted for riding for less.
More than 700 bikes should be available, organizers said.
Bike owners can speed up check-in on Friday by registering their bikes at spokanebikeswap.com.
In addition, a series of classes on bike laws, commuting, mountain biking and bike maintenance is planned.
“The goal of the Spokane Bike Swap event is to enhance the biking community by providing an inclusive venue with affordable bicycles that can be used for recreation, health, fitness and transportation,” organizers said in a news release.
Admission is $5. Children 12 and under get in free. Also, two-for-one admission will be in effect Sunday.
Children 14 and under can receive a free bike helmet. The first 3,000 attendees will get a freebie bag.
Proceeds will benefit projects of the Friends of the Centennial Trail. Last year’s event raised $30,000 for trail improvements.
For more information, go to spokanebikeswap.com.
Francis bridge work
The Francis Avenue Bridge east of Market Street is having its lane markers installed starting Tuesday and continuing until Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
The westbound lane may be reduced to a single lane at times.
Right turns from westbound Francis to northbound Market will be closed off from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday.
The new bridge was built to accommodate the future North Spokane Corridor freeway and BNSF rail lines.
Spokane projects
In the city of Spokane, a resurfacing job on Perry Street from 45th to 53rd avenues will begin today. Detours will be posted and delays are possible, city officials said.
Also, work is underway for a $500,000 repaving of Rebecca Street from Pratt to Seventh avenues.
Pavement crack sealing is getting underway on Belt Street north of Wellesley Avenue.
Track pothole progress
To follow city street crew progress on filling last winter’s potholes, go to the pothole tracker at https://my.spokanecity.org/streets/maintenance/pavement-repair.
As of March 27, crews have filled 1,645 potholes.
Mumm honored
Spokane City Councilwoman Candace Mumm has been hot on the heels of innovation, and her work is getting noticed.
Last week, Mumm was given the Walkable Washington Innovation Award for her groundbreaking crosswalk ordinance adopted last year.
She received the award during the Walkable Washington Symposium on Thursday in Redmond.
According to news files, Mumm’s ordinance adopted in September requires marked crosswalks near schools, parks, hospitals, churches, trail crossings and other locations.
Neighborhood councils now must be consulted before a crosswalk is installed. New types of pedestrian-friendly crossings are appearing in the city.