River Users Beware: Closure at E Trent Bridge. Safety signage still not in place.
As part of the East Trent Bridge demolition, a river closure was put in place on June 16th. The Spokane River Forum, Spokane Riverkeeper and others river users were not informed by Washington Department of Transportation (WS DOT), the agency in charge of the project.
“Not informing river users is a safety issue,” said Forum Executive Director Andy Dunau. “Far worse, the signage directing river users to stay clear and exit is not fully in place.”
The Forum found out about the closure on Tuesday, June 16th. After contacting WS DOT, the Forum received the safety signage plan for river users. On the 17th, the Forum and Riverkeeper surveyed the river to see if the signage was indeed in place. Said Jule Schultz with Riverkeeper, “It’s in place just above and below Trent St. Bridge. Coming downstream, it’s not in place at Iron Bridge or Mission Street Bridge where the plan calls for a temporary take out by Avista’s headquarters.”
“At Mission we found the signs by the side of the river and near the road. At Iron Bridge, we found nothing,” said Dunau. The Forum reported this to WS DOT and was told they’d go in Friday. The reason for the delay according to WS DOT was high river flows. “A bit odd,” said Dunau “because the river flow isn’t any different by Trent Street bridge where they did go in.”
On Father’s Day, Dunau swung by after a hike with his family. The signs still aren’t in. To add an ironic twist, the takeout sign now points upstream. “WS DOT can and should do better. Safety should be job #1,” said Schultz. Continued Dunau, “As the weather heats up and the flows slow, people are going to be in this area. This just isn’t right.”
