OMG, so much (awesome) construction for 2015

In 2015, it begins.

If you haven’t heard , the city is undertaking some massive public works projects in the coming years that promise to remake Spokane (street-wise, sewage-in-the-river-wise, Riverfront-Park-wise, etc.). Most of the projects are linked together under the city’s Integrated Clean Water Plan, which basically designs everything at once. For instance, if the city rebuilds a road, it’ll look at rebuilding everything under and around the road, such as utilities and sidewalks.

But it all must start somewhere, so let’s start there: the projects of 2015 . This year, more than $54 million in public works projects will be undertaken by the city, with an additional $12.2 million in projects already underway. A lot of that money - about $20 million - will go towards separating the city’s sewer and stormwater systems. Here at Getting There , we think, “Wow, that’s great. Never mind. I don’t care. What about roads/sidewalks/bikeways?”

Great question. Even more of the 2015 money, about $24 million, will go toward streets, with another $4 million to sidewalks and trails.

So exciting. Some highlights include High Drive Phase II (more separated sidewalks, more bike lanes, more, more, more), the Havana rebuild (featuring the city’s first shot at using permeable pavement for the bike lane), the new street connecting 1st Avenue to M.L.K. Jr. Way via Erie Street (gasp!), and the super-long Addison/Standard bike and pedestrian corridor .

But there is So. Much. More.

Check the map out, gaze with amazement and send me your questions.