Date:
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Contact:
Al Gilson, Communications Manager
WSDOT Eastern Region
2714 N. Mayfair
Spokane, WA 99207
(509)324-6015
gilsona@wsdot.wa.gov
Contractor crews will begin the installation of a new fiber optic communications line along Division Street in Spokane Sunday evening. The work starts near North Foothills Drive and ends near Francis at Houston Avenue.
This project consists of installing a fiber optic communication system in the northbound lanes of Division Street. The fiber optic line will complete a link between two existing fiber lines that are part of the transportation communications network. This installation will allow the City of Spokane and WSDOT to install more traffic cameras along Division Street and provide connection to cameras along the new North Spokane Corridor.
The cable will be installed under the right lane of northbound Division Street. The contractor will place the conduit for the cable in a trench along the curb. In addition, a series of vaults will be placed under the sidewalk at some of the intersections. The underground vaults are used for electronic equipment and the cable splices.
Drivers on northbound Division Street should expect lane restrictions during this work. From 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., northbound Division Street will be reduced to two lanes in the vicinity of the work. From 8:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m., northbound Division Street will be reduced to one lane where crews are working. All northbound lanes will be open during the afternoon commute period. On weekends all lanes will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The first item on the schedule is to remove portions of the sidewalk and install the cable vaults every few blocks. During that process, motorists will see lane closures during the excavation and vault placement throughout the project area. During the trenching operations, the contractor will only be working in a one or two block area with the needed lane restrictions.
An average of 40,000 vehicles use Division Street (northbound and southbound) each day. It is likely that this work will result in some additional slow traffic and congestion. Drivers on Division should allow for some extra time as they plan their travels.
As the project progresses along the curb, there will be times when side street and business access is affected. The contractor will advise businesses in advance of work in their vicinity and every effort will be made to provide the least amount of traffic interruption to business locations. At times, some businesses may have an alternate access provided to their location for short periods.
The project should be fully completed by early August. Colvico, Inc. of Spokane, WA is the prime contractor on this project with a construction bid of $1.257 million.
Information on the project is available on the internet at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US2/NorthFoothillsHouston
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