Attention all commuters and residents in Spokane: significant traffic changes have taken effect this week, impacting the daily route for many. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced, via a social media post, that southbound Greene Street will be closed between E. Illinois Avenue and E. Mission Avenue from today until August 11.
The closure is due to the installation of new drain lines that are part of the North Spokane Corridor project, a massive undertaking aimed at enhancing local infrastructure. WSDOT's post advises travelers, "If Greene Street is part of your usual southbound routine, you’ll want to hit pause on autopilot this week." The post humorously adds a caution against driving on autopilot—a nod often seen in today's technology-reliant society.
To accommodate the closure, WSDOT has laid out a detour, which prompts drivers heading south on Greene Street to make a right turn on E. Illinois Ave., then a left on N. Perry Street, followed by another left on E Mission Ave to rejoin SB Greene Street. This rerouting is expected to remain in place throughout the duration of the construction work.
Despite the inconvenience that such detours can often entail, WSDOT solicits understanding from the public. They note detours are a small price to quickly pay for the larger benefits once the project is complete. "We know detours aren’t exactly everyone’s favorite plot twist, but they help keep things moving while we build for the future and get closer to finishing what we started and completing the NSC!"
