STEP off-site traffic improvement projects underway

Airway Heights residents and visitors to the area may notice a couple of traffic improvements on U.S. Highway 2 around the same time of the Spokane Tribe Economic Project’s opening.

During the Airway Heights City Council’s April 10 study session, Public Works Director Kevin Anderson presented an update on the proposed transportation improvements related to STEP.

Anderson explained that after negotiations with the city and the Washington state Department of Transportation, the Spokane Tribe of Indians will be obligated to construct a two-lane roundabout on U.S. Highway 2, at the entrance to the casino. Developers are also required to install partial turn restriction improvements at the Craig Road and Highway 2 intersection. The concept art includes a raised median island in the middle of the intersection.

Mike Tedesco, director of the Spokane Tribe’s planning and economic department, said the design is about 95 percent complete. The engineers are submitting the draft to WSDOT.

“WSDOT will review it, mark it up and return it to us,” Tedesco said. “We can expect the return in 10 or so business days.”

The tribe still has to acquire easements and right of ways for the improvements.

According to the tribe’s traffic impact analysis, every year after the casino’s opening, the developer will reevaluate the Craig Road intersection to determine the in-place operations. The analysis estimates that the project will generate approximately 671 trips during the weekday peak hours of 4-6 p.m. — 637 of which will be new.

Prior to the opening, the tribe is required to fully fund the turn lane improvement and access modifications. Based upon the developer’s yearly evaluation of the intersections, if a documented operational/safety deficiency exists, developers shall create a solution to address it. WSDOT and Airway Heights have to review and approve any proposed modification to the intersection.

Anderson said the city and WSDOT have approved the tribe’s traffic impact analysis for the project’s first phase. The analysis states that the city can dictate the need to analyze operational problems at its judgment, such as if traffic becomes an undue burden to residents.

Any permanent channelization has to be consistent with the city’s U.S. Highway 2 Revitalization Study and the inclusion of mitigation addressing not just vehicles but also pedestrians and bicycles. The document adds that the tribe must begin working on the design of the permanent solution at the intersection after the facility opens.

Anderson said Public Works contacted the transportation supervisors from the Cheney and Medical Lake school districts regarding the buses that use the intersection. He added that both districts said they can accommodate the timing.

When asked about heavier trucks on the road, such as Spokane Rock, Anderson said the company tries to not use Craig Road. As for delay in traffic during the construction of the improvements, Anderson said crews will work on the project one half at a time.

“There’s going to be some delays, like every road improvement,” Anderson said.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.