WEDNESDAY MARKS THE groundbreaking for construction on five new passing lanes on U.S. Highway 195 between Spokane and Pullman. Projected to be completed before the football season, the highway improvements will decrease travel time while also increasing safety, state senator Michael Baumgartner tells Cougfan.com.



"We'll see how it plays out this fall but I think you could see a time savings of up to 10-15 minutes on game days," said Baumgartner. "The improvements are also hugely important in the area of safety for WSU students and everyone traveling on US-195."



The construction that begins Wednesday will result in new passing lane sections between Rosalia and Plaza, plus another about eight miles north of Steptoe.



The widening of the highways began last year, with two passing lanes going in between Spangle and Colfax in both directions.



The groundbreaking takes place during WSU's Spokane Week, which culminates in the Crimson and Gray spring game in Joe Albi Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m.



Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. on U.S. Highway 195 at the Horn School Rest Area near milepost 60.

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