Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As summer begins, I’m excited to be back in Spokane and spending time in our local community. In the coming weeks, you’ll see a short newsletter in your mailboxes from me, Rep. Timm Ormsby, and Sen. Andy Billig, highlighting some of the important work and projects approved this year on behalf of the Spokane area. Below you’ll find more details about one of those projects that is especially important to me and an update on the next step for the North Spokane Corridor.
Groundbreaking on the North Spokane Corridor River Crossing
A few weeks ago, I attended and spoke at a groundbreaking ceremony for the North Spokane Corridor River Crossing. This project will build the bridge crossing the Spokane River, connecting the Phase 1 (Sprague Ave. to Spokane River) and Spokane River to Columbia projects.
The crossing is an exciting step in the North Spokane Corridor project. The bridge will connect near Spokane Community College and Carlisle Ave., with construction expected to last until the end of construction season in 2025. At the same time, a pedestrian bridge, the Children of the Sun Trail bridge, will be built parallel to the driving lanes. Additionally, the new segment that will carry traffic on the NSC from its current end location at the Freya interchange to Wellesley Avenue will open in late 2023.
I am committed to seeing this project completed and was proud to support continued funding in our Transportation Budget this year and shut down all discussions of a pause.
Glen Tana: Connecting Waikiki Springs and Riverside State Park through conservation efforts with local tribes
I’m pleased to share that my continued work on protecting and conserving nature areas in our community hit another important milestone this session. My request for $3 million in our Capital Budget to help pay for the purchase of the Glen Tana property was approved in the final budget. This is a very big deal and I could not be more excited. The Glen Tana property is 1,060 acres and is the missing link connecting Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve and Riverside State Park. Many will recall our previous efforts to add 95 acres and obtain state funding in 2020 – you can read more about that here. It also connects to Kalispel Tribe of Indians land and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife land. Once completed, the property will serve as a protected recreation-trail corridor with riparian vegetation, meadows, forest land, and natural rock outcroppings.
The new property will also house some of the Spokane Tribe of Indians facilities working toward reintroducing salmon into the Upper Columbia Basin. Their efforts will be aided by a new juvenile fish rearing facility and would include educational opportunities for the public to learn more about salmon and their cultural significance for Washington tribes and watch salmon spawn.
Washington State Parks Director of Operations Jon Crimmins described the project by saying: “This is likely the last opportunity for us to protect a piece of land this large, this close to an urban center, ever again in the State of Washington.” With such a unique opportunity, I’m proud we have this funded in the Capital Budget.
Not all the funding comes from this Capital Budget. With an expected $11 million cost to purchase the land, the other expected funding sources include the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy contributions, tribal partnerships, and federal grants.
Spokane is a beautiful place to live and when this project is complete, we’ll have greater access to hiking, biking, running, and exploring the beauty of Spokane.
It is my honor to serve you!
Rep. Marcus Riccelli