Drivers asked to be extra cautious during 195 interchange project

Spokane-bound drivers from the Palouse country are among those asked to be extra cautious in the coming months at the highway interchange project at the intersection of Highway 195 and the Spokane-Cheney (Marshall) Road.

The intersection is a popular fueling stop for motorists who are departing southbound from Spokane.

Official highway location of the interchange is mile marker 94. Grading work is already underway on both sides of the highway.

Construction of the interchange will eliminate the left turn lanes which have become increasingly hazardous with the growth of traffic in the area, according to Al Gilson, WSDOT communications manager for the eastern region.

Northbound traffic on US 195 will be reduced to one lane at different times during the project and motorists are advised to be extra alert for congestion and slowing traffic. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time for appointment destinations.

Gilson said the $12 million project is expected to be finished by the end of this year. Selland Construction of Wenatchee is the contractor for the project.

The design provides a full interchange at the US 195 Cheney-Spokane Road intersection. On and off ramps for both southbound and northbound US 195 traffic will be built which will eliminate left turns out of the Cheney-Spokane Road onto US 195, and also eliminates left turns for both northbound and southbound drivers on US 195.

After a young woman was killed in 2009 when she pulled out in front of a vehicle at that intersection, the necessity for the interchange was put in the spotlight.

“It brought the need for a change to the forefront for legislators,” Gilson said.

According to Gilson, about 10 years ago, the transportation department did a comprehensive study from I-90 to Hatch Road and this interchange was identified as one of the needs.

Highway 195 was expanded to its current width in the Latah Valley during the 1960s when the area was primarily rural and there was no commercial activity.

There are no parallel city streets in the area providing connections within the neighborhood or to downtown Spokane. All local traffic must use US 195.

Growth is anticipated in several areas throughout the US 195 corridor. Residential and commercial developments are expected to increase traffic and continue to intensify congestion and traffic safety concerns. Fifty percent of the residential growth within the city of Spokane is planned for this area.

Traffic has increased significantly since the highway was expanded to four lanes in the 1960s, Gilson said. At that time, it was basically farmland with very little development.

The southbound off-ramp from 195 to the Cheney-Spokane Road is now closed so drivers are asked to be alert for southbound highway traffic slowing to make right turns into Cheney-Spokane Road.

The US 195-Inland Empire Way intersection is now closed and traffic is directed to the Thorpe Road intersection.

Northbound drivers need to be alert for lane restrictions and “vigilant for left-hand turns,” Gilson said.

Bicycle riders need to use extreme caution on this section of US 195 and be alert for equipment adjacent to the roadway, turning truck traffic and other construction-related activities.

Night work on the project began April 8 and continue for several weeks.

Construction funding has not been made available for improvements in this corridor beyond the Cheney-Spokane Road Interchange project.

Also in Whitman County on State Routes 271, 272 and 274, single lane traffic directed by flaggers and pilot cars with some delays will be done in several locations as crews install guardrails and signs.