SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – Significant progress has been made on the Pines Road/BNSF Grade Separation Project in the Spokane Valley, the city announced in a release.
The project, at the intersection of Pines Road and Trent Avenue, separates trains from vehicles.
In late September, BNSF Railway constructed a new mainline bridge in less than 24 hours. This week, they completed a second railway bridge, the city said.
“BNSF’s work to collaboratively deliver the bridge construction in a way that significantly reduces overall project costs, improves construction efficiency and minimizes impacts to the traveling public is remarkable,” Mayor Pam Haley said.
City contractors have now begun work on the roadway portion of the project, expected to be completed by spring 2027.
This is Spokane Valley’s largest capital improvement project to date and is part of the 2004 Bridging the Valley Plan by the Spokane Regional Transportation Council.
The city said the project has a $48 million budget, 90% funded by state and federal grants. It includes a new underpass, a realigned intersection, a multilane roundabout, and improved pedestrian facilities. Avista Utilities also donated three acres for a new trailhead.
These improvements are expected to save four hours of vehicle wait time daily, enhance traffic flow, and improve access to I-90.
Additionally, the project aims to create nearly 9,000 new jobs and generate significant tax revenue, while increasing safety for pedestrians and reducing noise from train horns, the city added.
