UPDATE: August 13 at 11:00 p.m.
The union’s representation declined to comment on the record, but workers have indicated online that the dispute centers around pay issues.
Spokane Public Works, Washington Department of Transportation, and Idaho Department of Transportation are currently assessing the full impact of the strike.
Heather McDaniel, Public Information Officer for the Idaho Transportation Department, highlighted the projects affected.
“Especially anything touching the I-90 corridor… so the expansion work that was set to kick off, the I-90 State Highway 41 interchange, SH Pleasant View Interchange, and then the Coeur d’Alene River Bridge out in Caltado are all some of the larger projects being impacted at this point,” McDaniel said.
In addition to these projects, work has been halted on the North Spokane Corridor river crossing, and paving projects on highways 195 and 395. The Northwest Spokane water main project is also affected by the strike.
As of now, there is no update on the status of negotiations.
SPOKANE, Wash. – Construction on the North Spokane Corridor has come to a standstill.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) confirmed that work has stopped due to a strike by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 302.
The North Spokane Corridor is not the only project affected by the strike. A paving project along Highway 195 in Pullman, originally set for completion in October, is also impacted.
Additionally, a paving project on Highway 395 in Chewelah faces delays.
WSDOT has not provided information on how long the work will be paused or how this will affect the completion timeline for these projects.
Spokane Public Works has released a list of projects that might be impacted by the strike by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302.
Kristan Davis with Spokane Public Works said the following projects are being adjusted and re-evaluated as the situation develops due to asphalt vendor challenges:
Maple/Ash Grind & Overlay between 5th and bridge.Lincoln St. between Summit and Sinto.Maxwell Ave. between Maple/Ash and Pettit Dr.
Water main project in northwest Spokane near Francis and Assembly.
Foothills Grind and Overlay at Hamilton.
Spokane Public Works released the following statement:
“We are monitoring the situation and assessing current projects. The industry strike is impacting the availability of asphalt, which in turn affects grind and overlay projects performed by the City’s Street Department, as well as other projects that will soon be ready for laying asphalt. We will make adjustments to schedules and closures as necessary, and notify the public through the media and on our social media accounts.”
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: August 12 at 9:00 p.m.
