Construction of STA’s Central City Line will start this year

Kyle Simchuk by Kyle Simchuk

It’s a project that’s been talked about since the late 90s, and in just a few years, Spokane Transit’s Central City Line is expected to be up and running.

The $72 million project will connect east and west Spokane making travel efficient and effortless. Spokane Transit officials believe it will also attract more riders.

“What we’ve heard from people is that they want convenient and affordable transit and the Central City Line does that,” said STA spokesman Brandon Rapez-Betty. The 6-mile route between Browne’s Addition and Spokane Community College is expected to serve 1 million riders in 2021, the first year it opens. Riders won’t have to wait long for a bus.

“In the morning weekdays and evening, we’re going to see frequency as often as every 7 1/2 minutes, so you don’t need to know the schedule.”

The route, which also connects downtown Spokane and Gonzaga University, will operate 7 days a week using electric busses. Crews will start construction on some 30 bus stations later this year. Federal grants are expected to pay for the majority of the project.

Spokane Transit saw a 1.9 percent decrease in riders in 2018 but officials are hopeful the new route will take more drivers off the road.

“The purpose of the Central City Line is to help reduce congestion by having more people ride the bus. The idea is more people, fewer cars.”

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