Transportation

Safety tips for a safe drive on Memorial Day

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Thursday, May 23rd, 4:44 pm

Many families take to the open road over Memorial Day to take advantage of the long weekend and to celebrate the unofficial start of summer. Idaho State Police wants to remind all drivers to remain safe.

Last year there were 129 crashes in Idaho with 81 injuries and two fatalities. Idaho State Police has provided these safety reminders which are great for both Idaho and Washington drivers:

Wear Your Seatbelts: Police in both Idaho and Washington will be strictly enforcing seat belt laws and drivers with children are reminded to make sure all children are in age appropriate safety seats and that children under 12 are in the back seat.

Designate a Driver: Nearly 30 people a day die in an alcohol related crash. Make sure to designate a driver before anyone in your party drinks.

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ATV safety courses provide valuable skills to keep you safe

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Tuesday, May 14th, 3:02 pm

In last two weeks Eastern Washington and North Idaho have seen over five ATV accidents including one death in the LC Valley last week. While ATV riding is fun, it's important to learn proper technique to remain safe.

“We think it takes special skills to ride an ATV,” says Dale Stevens, a licensed ATV safety instructor with the ATV Safety Institute. ASI is a non-profit sponsored by the all the major ATV manufacturers. Instructors like Stevens teach regular safety classes to educate riders on proper technique, safety skills and the responsibilities that come with owning and riding ATVs.

After taking his course many riders tell Stevens that they didn't know what a work out riding is and that they expected it to be easier. Stevens says that a lot of people expect ATVs to be like riding a couch on wheels but it that it takes a lot of physical effort and knowledge of how ATVs operate to remain safe while riding.

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Allegiant offers Spokane to Honolulu one-way ticket for $140

Submitted by Jacob Palmer on Friday, February 8th, 10:29 am

The sun sounds pretty appealing right now, and an airline flying out of the Spokane International Airport is making that more accessible than you might have thought.

Allegiant Air is kicking off its Spokane to Honolulu direct flight offerings with a $140 one-way ticket.

“We are pleased to bring a new affordable and convenient travel option to Spokane,” Andrew C. Levy, president of Allegiant Travel Company, said. “We are confident area residents will appreciate the convenience of flying nonstop to Hawaii and the value of bundling their air, hotel and car rental reservation together.”

The new route will be traveled on a once-weekly basis from GEG to Honolulu International Airport and available to 223 passengers on each flight, according to a news release.

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More overnight closures for Columbia River Bridge

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Wednesday, September 12th, 2012, 4:17pm

Three roadway projects could affect drivers in both Stevens and Ferry County this week.

In a news release from WSDOT, more overnight bridge closures are scheduled for the Columbia River Bridge near Kettle Falls.

Road crews will be continue repairing the bridge's underlying deck and resurfacing the roadway. Drivers can expect a detour through Northport-Flat Creek Road and Route 25 on the following dates: September 13, 19 and 20.

Also, if you're heading to Ferry County, you can expect more delays east of Republic while road crews work across Sherman Pass Summit.

WSDOT explains delays might take up to 20 minutes while crews work on the roadway's adjacent utilities.

Just east of Colville, crews will also be working on the shoulder of Route 20 while contractors install fiber communications along the roadway.

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Chevy Caprice makes WSP debut in Spokane area

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Friday, September 7th, 2012, 2:31pm

Chevy Caprice makes WSP debut in Spokane area

The flashing lights in your rear view mirror may belong to a new kind of vehicle patrolling the roadway. The chosen replacement for Washington State Patrol’s fleet of Crown Vics - the Chevrolet Caprice PPV - has made its debut in Eastern Washington.

A set of four Caprices were issued to four troopers based out of the Spokane district office. The vehicles were already equipped with the lights, bumpers, computers, radar - everything they need for their mobile office.

It was not a change made by choice explains WSP spokesperson, Dan Coon. Ford Motor Company discontinued the Police Interceptor Crown Victoria last year leaving WSP little time to test out their options to restructure the fleet.

“We knew how to build them up,” Coon explained. “The seats, radio, equipment - doing that for 25 years with the Crown Vic. With the Caprice - new car, new model, new make - there’s a learning curve.”

It’s a more expensive ride. Compared to the Crown Vic, which cost the state about $37,000 to fully outfit the patrol vehicle, the Caprice is priced at about $56,000 - which includes the new mobile office platform and heavy infrastructure modification.

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Overnight bridge closures scheduled for September 6,10

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012, 2:01pm

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Transportation construction in Kettle Falls is being revised this week, switching a scheduled overnight closure for the Columbia River Bridge to September 6 and 10, instead of the previous September 5 date.

The bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic starting at 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. A detour is set up through Northport-Flat Creek Road and SR 25.

Pedestrians can still access the bridge during construction.

The $1,165,284 project to resurface the bridge is expected to be completed next month.

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Construction delayed for Columbia River Bridge project

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012, 11:53am

Commuters along the Columbia River Bridge have a few more weeks before a construction detour is set in place. The Department of Transportation expected to start the $1.1 million repaving project on July 23, but now the start date is slated for August 13.

Construction administrator, Mike Gribner, says they delayed because they wanted to finish up their permitting before setting up the 68-mile detour.

“We could have initiated the detour, but we don’t want to put it in place until we know for sure we’re ready to start,” Gribner said. “Anytime you’re working over water, there’s a lot of consideration.

When construction does start, commuters can expect some overnight closures of the bridge spanning up to 20 hours. Crews will work on it from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. A 68-mile detour will be in place via State Route 25 to Northport and then back to US 395 through the Northport/Flat Creek Road. The signal will direct traffic across one lane at a time with about 10 minute delays.

A temporary traffic signal will direct traffic 24 hours a day while crews repave the bridge with concrete.

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