Union Operators’ Strike Impacts Wellesley Avenue Construction Schedule
SPOKANE VALLEY, WA—Now in its second week, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302 strike is impacting the City of Spokane Valley’s Wellesley Avenue Preservation Project timeline.
The city project, adjacent to East Valley High School, was scheduled to pave Wellesley Avenue on August 12, the same day the strike began. The project was on track to be completed well before the students and staff returned for the start of the school year. However, due to the operators' strike, the paving, striping and concrete island crosswalks have now been on hold for nine days. Throughout the planning and construction of the project, the City has closely coordinated the project schedule with the school district to minimize the impact to the schools.
"Completing the project to ensure safe accessibility of our schools is our top priority,” said Spokane Valley Public Works Director Robert Blegen. “The City is actively collaborating with our contractor to find a paving contractor that can pave Wellesley as soon as possible and minimize disruptions for East Valley High School and neighboring schools. We are hopeful to move forward very soon.”
East Valley High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Alec Vermaire shared, “With the start of school next week, East Valley School District is deeply concerned that the current delay of the Wellesley project will add chaos to our transportation services and greatly limit the ability of our parents, staff and students to access our campus safely. We are hopeful for a swift resolution to the labor dispute so as to minimize the impact on the start of our 2025-26 school year. Go Knights!”
The Wellesley Avenue Preservation Project is rebuilding Wellesley Avenue, constructing stormwater improvements, adding new crosswalks with islands and ADA compliant sidewalk ramps and adding new turn pockets to improve traffic flow and vehicular access to East Valley High School. More information about the project is available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Wellesley.
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