Spokane tribal casino to get roundabout on U.S. 2

The new tribal casino under construction on the west side of Airway Heights will include a multilane roundabout on U.S. Highway 2.

The roundabout is going to serve the Spokane Tribe Casino under construction west of Craig Road on U.S. 2.

A public open house meeting is planned for Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Airway Heights Community Center.

The decision to build the roundabout emerged from the tribe’s planning and study for its new casino.

“The results of the analysis indicated that a roundabout would be the best strategy to safely handle the increased traffic at the entrance to the new casino,” said a news release from the state Department of Transportation.

The roundabout will serve the entrance to the Spokane Tribe Casino.

Al Gilson, spokesman for the state DOT, said construction is planned for the current season. Completion is expected this summer.

Gilson said that drivers going to and from Fairchild Air Force Base will have to adjust to the new roundabout.

“At more and more locations in Washington state, roundabouts are the recommended alternative for safely handling traffic at busy intersections, even on busy, higher speed highways,” Gilson said in the release.

“This roundabout, along with a similar project on U.S. Highway 2 for the new Costco Wholesale location (on the North Side), will be the first multi-lane designs in the Spokane area,” the release said.

The tribe is funding the construction.