Latah Bridge Rehabilitation Study

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.

Project Resources

Study Report Volume 1: Baseline Conditions Summary Document

Appendices

Study Report Volume 2: Bridge Rehabilitation Options and Recommendations

Appendices

Bridge Improvement Concept Visualizations

Each visualization file shows a photo of the existing bridge, and visual simulations for alternative concepts B and D that widen the bridge deck.

Previous Documents

Below are visual boards depicting specific research and information regarding the Latah Bridge Rehabilitation Study.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the study or progress on next steps, please contact:

Katherine Miller
Principal Engineer for Capital Programs
509.625.6338
kemiller@spokanecity.org