Projects

Latah Bridge Rehabilitation Study

Updates

Weight Restrictions Updated

City of Spokane has updated weight restrictions for the Latah Bridge just west of downtown Spokane as a result of the bridge’s most recent inspection. The new weight restrictions will mean some large vehicles, including garbage trucks, some construction vehicles and aerial fire trucks, will need to use other routes. The majority of Spokane Fire Department response vehicles will be able to use the bridge, maintaining response times for initial vehicles to arrive on scene. STA and school buses also are unaffected.

Impacted vehicles have detour options, including rerouting along Government Way and Riverside Ave. or I-90. State and local law enforcement agencies enforce weight restrictions on trucks and heavy vehicles traveling public roads to support public safety and safeguard vital transportation infrastructure. Not following the restrictions could result in a traffic violation and/or cause damage to the bridge. Here is a list of frequently asked questions.

Moving Forward

Spokane City Council adopted a resolution in the summer of 2023 that made rehabilitation of the Latah Bridge a formal legislative priority of the City. The resolution is part of work that’s underway to seek grant funding for that project, which is estimated to cost $65 million.

Background

For nearly 100 years, the Latah Bridge (also known as Sunset Bridge or High Bridge) has played a vital role in the Spokane area's transportation network, spanning the Latah Valley and providing a key surface link between downtown Spokane and the West Plains.

Recently, the bridge has begun showing its age. Portions of the bridge have deteriorated to the point that the City has restricted traffic to the two center lanes of the bridge. Projected growth in the West Plains and associated transportation infrastructure improvement projects intend to increase demand for the Sunset Boulevard Corridor and the Latah Bridge.

Milestones

1st stakeholder meeting held on Friday, October 14, 2011
2nd stakeholder meeting held on Friday, December 9, 2011
1st public open house held on Wednesday, December 14, 2011. Public Open House #1 (PDF 971 KB)
Baseline Conditions Summary Document, Spring 2012
3rd stakeholder meeting held on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
2nd public open house held on Thursday, April 19, 2012. Public Open House #2 (PDF 97 KB).
Alternatives and Recommendations Document, Late Spring/Early Summer 2012

The Study

To better understand current conditions of the bridge, and identify preliminary solution alternatives that will support the public use of this historic and vital transportation link, the City of Spokane selected CH2M Hill in a qualifications based selection process to conduct a study. The study included transportation planning and engineering, structural inspections and analyses, an environmental review, and alternative/concept development. The entire process was vetted through a stakeholder and public process.

Now complete, this study serves as a basis and roadmap for the City of Spokane to seek future grant funding for design, environmental compliance, permitting, and construction of a recommended rehabilitation strategy.

Recommendation

Study Report Volume 2 identifies key recommendations to address the bridge rehabilitation, including:

The City of Spokane should consider a solution that ensures a long-term (40+ years) design life for the Latah Bridge, rather than a shorter design life solution
The recommended long-term option provides for bridge deck widening sufficient to accommodate planned and forecast vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, and freight demands with adequate lane widths and facilities to meet current standards.

Next Steps

City Staff will seek design funds for a long-term bridge rehabilitation solution. It's important to note that due to uncertainty of obtaining Federal funding to complete the next steps such as design, acquire right-of-way, and construct, timing of the actual rehabilitation structure is unknown.