A project to extend Indiana Avenue eastward to Flora Road from where it currently ends just east of Sullivan is expected to start on Monday, May 2, and wrap up in mid-July. The new extension will provide a connection from the east to Spokane Valley Mall and the busy commercial corridor along Sullivan Road.
About a third of a mile long, the extension will connect to a new roundabout at the intersection of Flora Road and Mission Avenue. The unique configuration of the extension splits eastbound traffic and westbound traffic into two separate roadways, creating a 6.3 acre football shaped area in the center that is zoned for commercial development.
To identify the roadways of the extension more clearly for addresses and emergency services, the westbound segment will be named Mission Parkway and the eastbound segment will be named Indiana Parkway. Each of the new one-way road segments includes bicycle lanes and sidewalks, as well as turnarounds at each end.
During the last five weeks of the project, from mid-June through mid-July, the intersection of Flora Road and Mission Avenue will be closed while a new roundabout is constructed. Signs will redirect traffic around the construction area through detours along Indiana/Knox, Long/Greenacres, and Cataldo.
Access to the Spokane River and Centennial Trail along Mission Avenue just west of Flora will remain available during and after the project. During the last five weeks of the project while the roundabout at Flora and Mission is constructed, access will be from the west via Sullivan and the new extension.
The cost to construct the extension will be about $2 million. Seventy five percent of the project cost is funded by the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board with the balance funded by the City of Spokane Valley. Right-of-way for the project was donated by Centennial Properties, Hanson Industries, and Spokane County.
Drivers are reminded that detours will route traffic through residential areas that don’t typically carry large amounts of traffic. Please observe speed limits and be alert for children, pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as vehicles entering the road from driveways.