Identify Needs
The following were identified as possible factors contributing to the current conditions in and around the US 2 corridor:
- A lack of local, street network, which contributes to more travelers on US 2.
- A lack of multi-modal (transit, bicycles, and pedestrians) transportation options, which can increase travel times and the dependency on vehicle trips.
- Census data indicates that 95% of people who work in the West Plains area live outside the area – see 2015 where people live and work
- Increasing growth and development in West Plains is a regional priority.
Study Objectives
The following are some of the planned improvements that were identified for the study area:
- Safety – evaluate and identify strategies to improve the safety performance for all modes of travel, such as adding strategic left-turn restrictions along the US 2 corridor.
- Mobility – evaluate and identify strategies to improve the mobility for all modes of travel, such as developing a supporting local roadway network, increasing transit service, improving the ability to walk and bike in and around the US 2 corridor. These strategies may include Transportation Systems Management & Operations (TSMO) and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies. See WSDOT TSMO Page
- Quality of Life – evaluate and identify strategies to enhance the quality of life in the West Plains subarea.
- Economic Vitality – evaluate and identify strategies to enhance economic vitality on the West Plains subarea.
Targeted Outcomes
- Develop a plan with prioritized programming with an associated funding mechanism to address the transportation needs associated with projected land use growth.
- Based on past study efforts and analysis accomplished in this study, investigate and identify parallel corridors including the 6th/12th corridor and the 18th/21st corridor. Determine the local alignments and connections to the transportation system.
- Identify achievable “practical solutions” system improvements, including on and off the state network prioritization, future programming and implementation.
- Select strategies that result in predictability and reliability in travel time, emergency service response times and Fairchild Air Force Base response time.
- Identify potential right of way needs.
- Analyze the impacts of land use development in the West Plains to US 2 and the regional network.
- Review and align relevant outcomes identified in previous studies & plans in the West Plains Study area.
Previous West Plains Studies and Plans:
- 2006 – City of Airway Heights Highway 2 Revitalization
- 2009 – City of Spokane Master Bike Plan
- 2009 – Fairchild Air Force Base (FAFB) Joint Land Use Study (JLUS)
- 2010 – WA Airport & Compatible Land Use Guidebook
- 2010 – WSDOT US 2 Route Development Plan, Lincoln Co. Line to I-90 MP 266.86 to MP 283.01
- 2011 – SRTC West Plains-Spokane International Airport (SIA) Transportation Study
- 2011 – Spokane Tribe West Plains Development – TIA
- 2012 – Spokane County Comprehensive Plan
- 2012 – Spokane AIR – West Site Transportation Analysis, City of Spokane
- 2013 – Land Development Risks along State Transportation Corridor, WSDOT
- 2013 – VE Study I-90/SR 902 I/C Improvements, Value Management Strategies
- 2014 – City of Spokane West Plains Subarea Transportation Plan
- 2014 – Spokane International Airport Master Plan
- 2015 – Rowand Business Park, Morrison Maierle, Inc.
- 2016 – City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan update 2017
- 2016 – City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan 2017 Appendix D
- 2017 – City of Airway Heights Transportation circular Plan
- 2017 – City of Airway Heights US 2 Plan Model Zoning Overlay
- 2018 – WSDOT Corridor Sketch Initiative, US 2: Craig Rd to Russell Rd, MP 277.2 to MP 281.5
- 2018 – Project Rose Traffic Impact Analysis
- 2018 – Four Lakes to Idaho Operations Study, May 2018
- 2019 – Spokane Region ITS Architecture Plan WSDOT
- 2020 – Airway Heights Transportation & Comprehensive Plan – CoAH
- 2021 – West Plains Connection, 16th/10th/12th Corridor Design Report – S3R3
