Road map

Airway Heights Public Works Director Kevin Anderson has not been with the city for a full year, yet there are many projects he and his department have embarked on, one being a six-year transportation improvement plan.

City Council approved the plan, prepared by Century West Engineering, at its Aug. 8 study session. Anderson said the plan is a “living document.”

“Council can revisit and amend it in the future,” he added.

With the council approving the plan, staff was to be able to apply for Transportation Improvement Board grant money to help fund the projects.

To prioritize projects for the plan, Anderson said his department surveyed every road, sidewalk and storm drain. Each segment was given a pavement conditioning rating based on several factors, including pavement condition, type of route, traffic level, economic impact, funding eligibility and public input.

“Every sidewalk in the city was recorded, photographs were taken, we did soil information and conducted traffic counts,” Anderson said.

Some of the higher priority projects from the road improvement portion of the plan include the 14th Avenue from Lawson to Lundstrom streets, which is estimated at $939,000 and the Garfield/Sixth Avenue/Russell Road project, estimated at a little over $2.5 million. There are also projects for resurfacing Lawson, Lundstrom and King streets, which are estimated at over $1.5 million.

Sidewalk improvement projects include 12th Avenue from Russell to Garfield roads, 10th Avenue from King Street to Aspen Road, Sixth Avenue from Horton to Ziegler streets, Campbell Street from 21st Avenue to Highway 2 and 18th Street from Lawson Street to Russell Road, which are estimated collectively at $2.69 million.

The plan also includes making several of the city’s sidewalks ADA compliant, which is estimated to cost $564,000.

Recent additions to the plan include improvements at the U.S. Highway 2 and Hayford Road and Craig Road and Highway 2 intersections. Anderson said the city and the Washington state Department of Transportation are working with the Spokane Tribe of Indians on the Craig Road and Highway 2 intersection improvements.

Another piece of the puzzle is a transportation circulation plan, which is currently being developed by the city’s consultant, Morrison-Maierle. Once that is complete, Anderson said those elements will be added to the plan.

Anderson said the transportation circulation plan will be the basis for the city to implement a traffic impact fee to developers.

“That’s down the line,” he added.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].