River detours this summer: what river users need to know
Construction activities at Sullivan Road, Nine Mile Dam and Riverside State Park Water Reclamation Facility will affect recreational users this summer. Play it safe!
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Sullivan Road
The City of Spokane Valley’s Sullivan Road West Bridge Replacement project will be affecting Spokane River users this summer. Work within and over the Spokane River began during the week of June 15, 2015 and will extend into next year.
Reports the City of Spokane Valley: “… signs and buoys will be in place to guide river users safely through the construction zone. However, there will be intermittent periods when safe passage is not possible during hazardous overhead work activities, such as when demolition work is underway during working hours, or when the 100,000 pound precast girders are being lifted into place. During those times, the construction zone will be closed to river traffic and users will be directed to take out on the north bank of the river immediately upstream of Sullivan Road. “ Signs will be posted at the State Line, Harvard Road, Barker Road, Flora Road, and Old Mission Avenue river access areas [and likely also at Sullivan Park and Mirabeau based on last night’s input] when specific closure dates have been identified. The river closure information will also be included in the weekly Traffic Alert notices that the City of Spokane Valley issues. These notices can be found by clicking on the “Traffic Alert” button on the City’s website www.SpokaneValley.org . The weekly Traffic Alert updates can also be received automatically via email by subscribing at SpokaneValley.org/signup.
Nine Mile Reservoir
Beginning Sunday June 21 at 6:00 p.m., Avista will start drawing Nine Mile Reservoir down 6 feet to complete work on a new barge landing. Reports Avista “We plan to draw the reservoir down slowly over the night so the contractor can begin work Monday morning. We anticipate the water level to be back up to the current level by June 26.” This activity will not affect Lake Spokane.
Riverside State Park Water Reclamation Facility (Wastewater Treatment Plant)
Construction of a third solids digester at the City of Spokane’s wastewater treatment plant is progressing. As a result of that major construction project, the Spokane River access point just downstream from the plant (called Aubrey White on the Spokane River Water Trail) will have one-day closures periodically this summer. The closures will be on week days, not weekends. Since this is the final takeout before Devil’s Toe Nail and the Bowl and Pitcher rapids, the Forum is working with the City to provide notification of when closures will occur.