Start of Sprague 2B construction project - April 12
Monday, April 12, 2021
TO: Sprague Avenue Business District
FROM: Karin Janssen, Construction Relations Manager, City of Spokane Engineering Department
DATE: March 17, 2021
SUBJECT: Commencement of Sprague 2B road construction project
The start date for the project is Monday, April 12, 2021. Halme Construction, Inc. will be the contractor on the job. As some may have noticed, the contractor has started installing road closure information signage. This signage is currently incorrect and lists the start of the road closure as April 5, 2021. The contractor is correcting this error.
Avista will be working on Pine Street, south of Sprague, beginning Monday, March 22, 2021. Avista will be completing necessary utility work prior to the start of the Sprague 2B project.
On March 31st, Mayor Woodward will hold a construction season kick-off event on Sprague Avenue. The event will highlight the improvements being made on Sprague. The City will send an email announcement when the details are finalized.
Additionally, the University District worked with the City to create a sign indicating that businesses are open during construction. This sign will be placed prominently at the intersection of Grant Street and Sprague Avenue.
Notes Regarding the Work
Construction will begin by removing all the existing asphalt on Sprague Avenue from Division Street to Grant Street. Underground utility work will then begin on both the east and west ends of Sprague. Halme Construction will excavate approximately a ten-foot portion of the previous project work on Sprague Avenue at Grant Street to connect the existing underground utilities. The work following will include rock hammering to remove existing ledge under the street. The rock hammering work is expected to take approximately four months.
Due to the depth and breadth of the work required, Sprague Avenue between Division Street and Grant Street will be closed completely to traffic for the duration of the project. This means any business access on Sprague between Grant and Division will also be closed, but the alley north of Sprague Avenue will be open and accessible via Grant Street.
Foot traffic access to businesses will be maintained at all times—minus any occasion where the contractor is conducting work directly in front of a business pouring concrete. Halme Construction will make the effort to coordinate access and work.
Local business traffic can access businesses via 1st Avenue and Grant Street. Westbound truck and through traffic can use 2nd Avenue and Sherman Street. Eastbound truck and through traffic can use 3rd Avenue and Sherman Street. Public parking will be maintained on all side streets. The contractor employees and subcontractors will not be allowed to park or store equipment or materials on the side streets within one block of Sprague.
Halme Construction will provide a public relations liaison for the project. Property owners will receive a project start letter from the City within the next two weeks providing the liaison’s contact information.
Information about the project can be found at my.spokanecity.org/projects/sprague2b
