West Plains
Connection
WEST PLAINS CONNECTION
AT A GLANCE
The West Plains Connection: 6th/10th/12th Multimodal Corridor Improvement Project is focused on strengthening Airway Heights’ and Spokane’s economies. The extension of this corridor will create land-use growth opportunities within both cities and reduce traffic congestion along U.S. Route 2, benefitting residents, employers, and visitors. The project will establish a safe corridor to improve pedestrian and bicycle activities for commuting and recreating, as well as to provide convenient access to STA transit. Finally, this route will diversify travel choices throughout the area of the West Plains, allowing improved emergency response times and the quality of travel for those within the region. Project planning is underway, and the public is encouraged to participate in shaping the future of this community project.
PROJECT INFORMATION
The project will begin with the roadway alignment of 6th Avenue in Airway Heights, from Craig Road to Garfield Road. Garfield Road continues 0.25 miles to the point it connects with 10th Avenue. 10th Avenue will be extended 0.75 miles to connect with Hayford Road, where it converts to 12th Avenue. The final stretch would continue with the connection of 12th Avenue into the City of Spokane, from Deer Heights Road to Campus Drive. The project also includes intermittent widening of 6th and 12th Avenues and adding stoplights, roundabouts, or stoppings at various intersections. This will be a multi-phased project, developed over 5 to 10 years. Click below to see the map that shows the proposed corridor alignment.
The project team is asking for public opinion regarding a shared-use path on 6th Avenue that will provide safe access for pedestrians, cyclists, runners and more. Trees, greenery, and a median will transform existing streets into a neighborhood. Please take a moment to complete the survey and provide comment about how you would like to see these areas take shape.
PROJECT TIMELINE
The Cities of Spokane and Airway Heights, in conjunction with S3R3 Solutions, have hired T-O Engineering and assembled a qualified consultant team to begin planning of the West Plains Connection projects. The following estimated timeline provides a general overview of the project’s intended progression.
GET INVOLVED
Community involvement is an important to developing a project that works well for the entire community. Please use the link below to take a survey and offer input about the way you would like to see the project take shape. You may also email Kristine at Kristine@bigskypublicrelations.com with questions or comments about this project.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
PROJECT LIMITS MAP
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Click the red PDF button to download map
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The City of Airway Heights and the West Plains area are among the fastest growing areas in Washington. This project aims to provide access that will meet the demands of the growing community. The project intends to help reduce congestion along U.S. Route 2, by providing local travelers network diversity options. Finally, the goal of the project is to enhance travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, and those wishing to access STA transit.
PROJECT TEAM
The West Plains Connection project is a collaboration between representatives from both city and county government agencies, tribal leaders from Spokane and Kalispel Tribe of Indians, and local landowners. T-O Engineering is the primary lead on plan development, under the direction of S3R3 Solutions. S3R3 Solutions is a client-centered firm that marshals the resources of public and private service providers to recruit new and existing businesses into the West Plains public development area and drives economic prosperity through the creation of jobs. Big Sky Public Relations is the primary point of contact for the public during this planning phase. The project is supported by a team of additionally qualified engineers, land planners, and property specialist via support of Parametrix, GeoEngineers, Epic Land Solutions, Plateau Archaeological Investigations, and Leeland Consulting Group. Other notable stakeholders for the project include the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Spokane Regional Transportation Council, Spokane Transit Authority, Cheney School District, and Fair Child Air Force base.
IMPROVEMENTS
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A traditional City of Airway Heights street section from Craig Road to Garfield Road with bike lanes, separated sidewalk, two through lanes, with the option of a center turn lane.
- Impact. A wider roadway-section that may impact
select property owners.
- Benefit. Consistency of streets throughout the
City with reduced travel times and unhindered
access to local streets and driveways.
6th Avenue
Option One
6th Avenue
Option One
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A boulevard style widening of 6th Avenue from Craig Road to Garfield Road with options for a landscaped center median with turn lanes at major intersections, a separated shared-use path and trees along the corridor, a sidewalk on the opposite side of the road from the shared-path, and two narrowed travel lanes.
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- Impact. Higher maintenance costs, increased travel time, and limited driveways and local street connections.
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- Benefit. A more natural street feel with tighter speed control, less impact to adjacent properties, and an off-street pedestrian/bicycle corridor.
6th Avenue
Option Two
6th Avenue
Option Two
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Implementation of sidewalk along east side of roadway with the option for a landscaped or hardscaped center median, as desired by the community.
Garfield Road
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Garfield Road
10th Avenue
Continuation of 10th Avenue from Garfield Road to South Hayford Road in Airway Heights including two travel lanes, a landscaped or hardscaped center median with turn-lanes at major and future intersections, and a multi-use pathway with a sidewalk on the opposite side of the road.
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10th Avenue
Hayford Road to Deer Heights Road, could include the widening of sidewalk along one side of the roadway to establish a multiuse pathway. Potentially adding a landscaped or hardscaped center median, as desired by the community.
12th Avenue
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12th Avenue
12th Avenue
A new connection of 12th Avenue in Spokane. The project will include a widening of 12th Avenue from Flint Road to Campus Drive with the addition of a multiuse pathway or bike lanes, and two or three travel lanes, depending on community expectations and capacity for left-turn lanes.
Click to enlarge image.
12th Avenue
FUNDING
The project team is lobbying local private and public resources to take advantage of state and transportation grant and loan opportunities.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Grant Submittal, Phase I – August 2020
Grant award, Phase I – November 2020
Phase I Permitting – Summer 2021
Phase I Design – Fall of 2021
Phase I Project Bid – early spring 2022
Phase I Construction – spring/summer of 2022
Four to Six Additional Design/Construction Phases – 5 to 10 years desired, pending funding
BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT
This project aims to improve access to the Spokane and Kalispell Tribe of Indians properties for new development along the corridor, improve access to other undeveloped or underdeveloped properties, and improve response times for Fairchild Airforce base by reducing local traffic from U.S. Route 2. Access to new and existing businesses will encourage development and strengthen the area economy.
Adding both recreational and commuter routes will allow for multimodal access as well as provide Spokane Transit authority alternate travel to maintain route schedules. By adding new travel options, congestion can be relieved, and safety improved on Highway 2.
