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By now everyone's well aware that summer's just around the corner -- not because we're having some unseasonably warm weather, but because of all the road construction projects underway, including work on the Interstate 90 viaduct that began Monday, May 14.
During the viaduct repair work -- which is expected to last until mid-September, the following changes apply to traffic passing through the downtown Spokane area:
• The speed limit in the construction zone is reduced to 45 mph.
• Traffic is reduced to two lanes in each direction (sometimes only 1 lane at night), and there are no shoulders along the road.
• No lane changes are allowed in areas where lines are painted solid white.
• Closed west-bound ramps include: Browne Street on-ramp, Lincoln Street exit, Monroe/Jefferson on-ramp, and the Maple Street exit.
• Closed east-bound ramps include: Walnut Street on-ramp and the Monroe Street on-ramp. The east-bound Division Street will remain open, but access to north-bound Division Street is closed.
The good news (if you can call it that) is that we went through this last summer, and many of the problems associated with moving traffic through city streets were addressed then. Exit-only lanes were clearly marked, and traffic lights were re-set to allow for better traffic flow. Let's hope the lessons learned will help make this summer's commuting easier. According to a recent article in The Spokesman-Review, engineers for the city and state are watching the traffic flow closely and plan to make minor adjustments if needed. Any way you look at it, though, it still could be a long, hot, slow-moving summer for some area commuters.
What we would like to know is how you plan to deal with road construction this summer. Do you have a favorite alternative route for traveling to downtown Spokane? Are construction projects in other areas of town causing you to make other detours? Who has to make the MOST detours because of construction this year?
Do you plan to avoid downtown Spokane events this summer because of road construction? What's the longest traffic jam you've seen or been stuck in that was caused by road construction?
Email us and we'll post your comments on Spokane.net. If you don't have time to write, then be sure to vote in our PulsePoll.
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Poll Results ...
Question:
"Road construction is in full swing in Spokane County, including work on the I-90 viaduct in downtown. How many detours will you have to make to get where you want to go?"
Results:
1 -- 50.0%
2 -- 50.0%
3 -- 0.0%
4 -- 0.0%
More than 4 -- 0.0%
Send us your comments ...
We’d like to know what you have to say about this week’s Hot Topic. Send your comments to Editor@Spokane.net, and we will post them . Be sure to include this week's Hot Topic title in the reference line of your email.
If you have suggestions for topics you would like to see discussed in Hot Topics, email us.
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