(The Center Square) – Spokane County has been awarded approximately $4 million in state funds for design work and reconstruction of a portion of North Hatch Road, a main travel route for a large residential neighborhood, elementary school, and public park/aquatic center in the Colbert community north of Spokane.
The county will contribute about $1 million as additional matching dollars to qualify for the allocation from the state’s Transportation Improvement Board.
The TIB is providing funding in two separate awards: $1.5 million in 2022 for phase one of the project and $2.43 million announced earlier this month for second phase. Bid authorization on the first phase is scheduled for April 2024 with overall project completion expected toward the end of 2026. Combined, the two phases will reconstruct about a mile of failing roadway plus add a number of safety features.
Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns, whose Third District includes the Colbert area, said he has heard from constituents “for many years … about the condition of North Hatch Road.”
Kerns said he was thrilled that full funding had been secured “to reconstruct and reimagine this road.”
“This project will improve sidewalks, crosswalks, and road signage which will greatly increase the safety for our drivers, bikers, and pedestrians,” he said.
A project summary notes that Hatch Road, which links to nearby highway US 395, is situated in a growing part of the county. A substantial number of single-family homes are located west of the road, which lacks sidewalks, bike lanes, and ADA-compliant curb ramps.
Phase one improvements are planned between the intersections of East Bridle Trail Road and East Midway Road, where Midway Elementary School is located. Construction will also include a swale that provides stormwater treatment and additional separation for pedestrians. The second phase will continue improvements north from Bridle Trail Road to East Colbert Road near the Bidwell Park and Aquatic Center, a popular public destination. A new crosswalk, pedestrian island, stop bars, and signage at Handy Road will help provide safer access to the park.
Kerns credited Spokane County Public Works staff for their work in acquiring the TIB grants. “Because of their efforts, we are able to fund this important project with mostly state dollars,” he said.
An independent agency created by the state Legislature, the Washington Transportation Improvement Board funds high-priority projects in communities to enhance the movement of people, goods and services. Funding for TIB's grant programs comes from revenue generated by 3 cents of the statewide gas tax.
