City Provides Construction Season Update

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA—As the 2025 construction season nears completion this fall, the City of Spokane Valley is providing the community with an update on the status of this year’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) construction projects.

The city’s CIP program, largely funded by state and federal grants, invests in infrastructure in support of safety, mobility, connectivity, quality of life and economic development.

Spokane Valley has completed several projects this summer, including:

• The Wellesley Avenue Preservation Project rebuilt Wellesley Avenue from Tolford Road to Isenhart Road, 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.
• Greenacres Park Phase 2 improvements include six new pickleball courts, one tennis court and two basketball courts, community garden, backstop, expanded playground and splashpad, disc golf putting ring, shade structures and shade trees, expanded parking and pathways and a paved perimeter trail. The $2 million project budget was funded 75% by state and federal grants.
• The Sprague Avenue Pedestrian Crossings project installed five new pedestrian crossings, including new curb ramps, islands, sidewalks and traffic devices called Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) that have button-activated flashing lights to increase pedestrian safety at Sprague Avenue (Howe and Chronicle Roads), Appleway Avenue (Michigan Road), and along the Appleway Trail at Adams and Conklin. The project was funded 65% by state funds.
• The Thorpe Road Bridge Superstructure Replacement project replaced the 50-year-old concrete girders, updated guardrails and added new asphalt approaches.
• Adjustments to the roundabout at S. Bowdish Road and E. 16th Avenue were complete in August, with the work accomplished while school was out for summer break to prevent impacts to nearby Bowdish Middle School and University Elementary School. To reduce driver speeds, the center island is now larger, travel lane widths are decreased, and the entry is offset. These adjustments to slow traffic were completed within the original project budget. 

Three 2025 projects are in progress.

• Construction of The Course Spokane Valley, a dedicated cross country running venue at a new community park at 2520 N. Flora Road is nearly complete. The initial buildout includes the grass course (5K, 6K, 8K and 10K loop options), restrooms, pedestrian pathway, finish line arch, parking lot and shuttle/bus drop. The park borders state land along the north shore of the Spokane River and offers varied terrain. It will host two small competitions this fall prior to a grand opening and full slate of events in 2026. The $7 million venue was envisioned through the city’s Tourism Strategic Plan and is projected to generate $5 million annually in direct economic impact by year five of operation. The City has used lodging tax revenue and a Washington State Legislature capital appropriation to construct The Course. Spokane Sports, a partner on the project, acquired grants from Union Pacific Foundation and the Washington State Department of Commerce to construct the arch. 
• The Sullivan Park Waterline project from Sullivan Park to just north of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks is underway and expected to be completed by mid-November. The project will construct a 1,700-foot waterline to replace a low-producing well and bore under the Union Pacific Railroad to provide water to Sullivan Park and neighboring parcels. There are no anticipated roadway impacts with this project. 
• The Pines Road / BNSF Grade Separation multi-year project, a partnership between the City, WSDOT and BNSF Railway, began construction of the bridges in February and started on the roadway work this month. Fall 2025 roadway construction efforts are anticipated to occur north of Trent Avenue, with the Pines Road and Trent Avenue intersection reconfiguration scheduled at this time to begin in spring 2026. The Pines Road and Trent Avenue Grade Separation Project will separate trains and cars and is an essential investment in public safety, transportation efficiency and long-term economic growth. The $48 million project budget is funded with $43 million in federal and state grants and the balance from BNSF contributions and city funds.

Two projects have been rescheduled and are anticipated to begin in spring 2026.

• The Sprague Avenue Preservation Project is anticipated to begin in early spring 2026, as it was delayed due to the Local Union 302 operator’s strike. It is possible that some preliminary project items will occur in late fall 2025. This project on Sprague Avenue from S. Bowdish Road to S. McDonald Road will include new asphalt, updated curb ramps, stormwater repairs and roadway markings. An update will be provided once the project schedule is finalized. 
• The Barker Road Improvement project on N. Barker Road from E. Appleway Avenue and E. Sprague Avenue is now anticipated to begin in spring 2026. The project will include road widening, bike lanes, sidewalks, and stormwater work.

More information and updates about city construction projects are available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Construction. A full 2026 CIP construction season will be announced in spring 2026.

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