Getting There: New traffic website unveiled

The Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center has unveiled a new, easier-to-use website at srtmc.org.

The site posts traffic camera images and traffic information, including slowdowns and road closures. It offers links to all traffic cameras in the area, and the images can be streamed live.

The cameras are along Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 195, Appleway Boulevard, Pines Road and Trent Avenue, Division Street, Maple and Ash streets, the North Spokane Corridor and other locations.

Transportation officials said it is part of an ongoing effort to get drivers to know what kinds of conditions they can expect before they journey out.

Drivers can quickly check the website to see if Interstate 90 has backups, for example, or whether an accident is blocking their route.

“The map-based website is designed to be user-friendly. By clicking icons on the right side of the screen, users can find more detailed information, such as the location of traffic cameras, areas impacted by collisions, road condition reports or signs displaying warning messages,” Al Gilson of the state Department of Transportation said in a news release.

The DOT is a partner in operating the traffic management center at the historic Northern Pacific Railroad depot, now known as the Intermodal Center for bus, train and other travel connections.

The traffic management center also controls the dynamic message signs along I-90 and other busy arterials.

The center is a collaborative project of the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley, Spokane Transit Authority, Spokane County, state DOT and the Spokane Regional Transportation Council.

Street projects envisioned

The Spokane Regional Transportation Council is considering the addition of three Spokane street projects to its Horizon 2040 transportation plan for the metropolitan area.

The projects must be included in the plan to be eligible for funding.

Main Avenue from Browne to Division streets would be reconfigured from three to two lanes with a possible parking area in the middle of the street. Also, the project would add a midblock pedestrian crossing and new amenities along the street.

North Monroe Street from Indiana to Garland avenues would be converted from four lanes to two with a center left turn lane. This project was previously announced by the city. It includes curb extensions at intersections for safer pedestrian crossings and modification of the traffic light at Montgomery Avenue.

Maxwell and Mission avenues from Maple to Washington streets also would be reconfigured to two lanes plus a center turn lane.

The public is invited to an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. March 2 at the SRTC offices in the Intermodal Center at 221 W. First Ave., Suite 310.

Comments can be submitted at that meeting or in writing, by phone at (509) 343-6370 or email at contact.srtc@srtc.org.

Time to report potholes

Spokane street maintenance crews are on the hunt for potholes, which open up during thawing weather.

To help crews find them, drivers can call the pothole hotline at (509) 625-7733 to report them.

Spokane Valley has an online system for reporting potholes at spokanevalley.org. Follow the department link to streets, where a pothole reporting form can be found under street maintenance.

To report a pothole in Coeur d’Alene, send a message to ssims@cdaid.org.

Street closures planned

Also in Spokane, a contractor will close the easternmost northbound lane on Ray Street at 18th Avenue on Feb. 16 to make repairs to the approach to the intersection.

The northernmost lane of Spokane Falls Boulevard will be closed Monday and Tuesday for a consultant to perform geotechnical studies.

CenturyLink is closing the north side of Sunset Boulevard from Cannon Street to Rosamond Avenue through Feb. 16 to install conduit.

The sidewalk along Hamilton Street near Desmet Avenue and parking areas on Desmet and Cataldo avenues and Columbus Street will be closed through June 3 for construction there.

In the next few weeks, flaggers will control traffic on Palouse Highway east of Regal Street to Thor Street for installation of sewer lines for the Palouse Trails apartment project.

Intersection planning funded

Spokane Valley officials said they are in line to receive $12,000 in preliminary engineering funding for an intersection project planned for Sullivan Road and Euclid Avenue.

The $2 million project is awaiting full construction funding. It could be built as early as 2017 if funding is obtained.