The city is developing a large integrated street and utility project for the junction of Francis Avenue, Assembly Street and Driscoll Boulevard. This project will install a new gravity sewer, remove the existing sewer lift station, install a new stormwater treatment facility and reconfigure two intersections to improve safety and traffic flow.
One of the remaining decisions to be made is whether the intersections should be signalized or developed as roundabouts. The city is following WSDOT procedures for evaluation of these two options and is looking for citizen input during the next month.
The city is considering two intersection design options as described in the draft Intersection Control Evaluation study. Each option would improve safety, reduce congestion and support future growth, but in different way. Both alternatives would improve pedestrian crossings with new sidewalks, lighting and marked crosswalks. They will upgrade underground sewer facilities, provide a surface stormwater treatment area and enhance overall traffic flow and long-term safety.
The signalized option adds two coordinated traffic signals to the corridor. Traffic flow will create predictable gaps for turns and side-street access. This option requires slightly less property and fits within existing right-of-way. It also provides more flexibility for future flows with signal timing adjustments. The traffic signal option may require advance warning signage on the westbound approach to the Francis/ Nine Mile intersection to provide longer stopping distance in the winter.
The other option will construct two roundabouts in lieu of the signals. Roundabouts typically reduce travel speeds, emissions from idling and crash severity. They also offer long-term savings in maintenance dollars. The roundabouts will occupy a larger footprint than the signals as they need to be two lanes wide to handle the traffic volumes. During peak traffic hours one approach to the Francis roundabout will be metered with a signal, similar to freeway on-ramps, to ensure adequate gaps.
An online public meeting will be scheduled in November, 2025 and the link will be posted on this page.
Inga Note
Senior Traffic Planning Engineer
Integrated Capital Management
509.625.6331
inote@spokanecity.org
In Spokane
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