WSDOT, STA adjust projects ahead of ‘Project Rose’ warehouse construction

Ariana Lake by Ariana Lake

Two major transportation projects designed to make it easier for you to get to and from the West Plains are now in the fast lane.

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Regional Administrator Mike Gribner said the proposed warehouse along W. Geiger Road, known as ‘Project Rose,’ prompted WSDOT to move up the timeline and changed plans for improvements to Interstate 90-state Route 902 Medical Lake Interchange and the I-90 Geiger Field Interchange.

“Probably the biggest impact that ‘Project Rose’ is having on us is timing,” Gribner said.

Both Medical Lake and Geiger Field interchanges were previously one project, scheduled to be finished in about two years, according to Gribner. That changed when ‘Project Rose’ permits were filed. Now, the Medical Lake interchange is a top priority that’s scheduled to be finished by next fall, around the same time as ‘Project Rose.

Here’s a look at the current Medical Lake Interchange and what plans are right now for future development. This is the project .@wsdot is expediting ahead of ‘Rose Project.’ #KXLY pic.twitter.com/x6Zti9InPw — Ariana Lake (@arianaKXLY) July 5, 2018

That interchange reconstruction includes building three roundabouts that are two lanes wide, with “mountable” curbs, according to WSDOT. That combination will make it easier for larger truck and trailer combinations to get around. Gribner said plans could include expanding the bridge over I-90, too.

Because the Medical Lake Interchange plans are being expedited, so is phase two of the Spokane Transit Authority’s (STA) West Plains Transit Center. The new hub is designed as a park-and-ride, according to STA Customer and Community Relations Manager Brandon Rapez-Betty.

He noted that phase one, which should be finished by September 2018, will allow customers to change buses on the West Plains, instead of needing to transfer in downtown Spokane. The center will include about 200 spaces for parking, too.

Phase two of that project will directly connect to Airway Heights, enabled by WSDOT improvements to exit 272, according to STA. That’s why that phase is going to be moved up, as WSDOT works to meet the early deadline for the Medical Lake Interchange.

Despite the change, both Rapez-Betty and Gribner look forward to serving drivers and riders.

“‘Project Rose’ is a great evidence of economic development benefiting the area and there is going to be a need for transit for the people who are working in that facility,” Rapez-Betty said.

That’s something Gribner echoed, adding that he believes WSDOT is ready to rise serve the nearly 3,000 estimated to work at the ‘Project Rose’ warehouse.

“For what we can see right now and what we know, we think we are in a good place,” Gribner said.

There is an open house scheduled to learn more about the Medical Lake Interchange Reconstruction. That’s happening Tuesday, July 24 from 4-7 p.m. THe address for the meeting is 10110 W. Hallett Road in Spokane.

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