North Spokane Corridor and Wellesley Avenue to close for one month starting Tuesday, May 28

North Spokane Corridor and Wellesley Avenue to close for one month starting Tuesday, May 28

SPOKANE – Since November 16, 2023, travelers have enjoyed an additional 1.5-miles of new freeway as part of the future US 395/North Spokane Corridor between the Freya Street and Wellesley Avenue interchanges.

Due to the late fall opening of the new section of freeway, not all the work was completed when the Wellesley Avenue Interchange opened to traffic. To complete the work, contractor crews will now close Wellesley Avenue starting Tuesday, May 28, between Market Street and Freya Street. Crews will also close the northbound lanes of the North Spokane Corridor between Wellesley Avenue and the Freya Street interchange. The southbound lanes closed earlier this week on Monday, May 20.

The work to finish the Wellesley Avenue interchange includes:

  • Fixing multiple drainage locations on Wellesley Avenue
  • Adding the permanent striping and signage
  • Painting the northbound on-ramp barrier in its final permeant treatment
  • Installation of the Children of the Sun medallions to the structure
  • Overhead bridge work
  • Paving the northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp

The closure of Wellesley Avenue and both directions of the North Spokane Corridor between Freya Street and Wellesley Avenue will continue through Friday, June 28.

During the closure, drivers who usually use the North Spokane Corridor south to the Wellesley Avenue interchange will be detoured off the freeway at Freya Street through the roundabout south toward Francis Avenue. Drivers can continue traveling south on Freya Street or make a right turn on Francis Avenue followed by a left turn onto Market Street to reach Wellesley Avenue.

Travelers who typically travel on Wellesley Avenue between Market Street and Freya Street can detour via either Euclid Avenue to the south or Francis Avenue to the north.

Work to complete the interchange at Wellesley Avenue is part of the NSC – Spokane River to Columbia Project.

Slow down on ice and snow.

It's easier to skid or lose control traveling at higher speeds. Give yourself more time to stop.

Carry chains, practice installing them.

Winter conditions could mean chains are required on your route. Practice putting them on your vehicle ahead of time.

Pack your winter car kit.

Carry extra supplies like warm clothing, ice scraper and brush, jumper cables and other emergency items.