SPOKANE, Wash. — A proposal in Olympia could speed up the long-delayed North Spokane Corridor project, with completion possible in the early 2030s. The proposal includes a six-cent gas tax increase to address funding shortfalls.
The corridor, which currently ends abruptly in mid-air, has been in development since the 1980s. For local residents and businesses, the prospect of completion brings renewed hope.
“Progress takes time, and I just hope that it continues to move forward. I think once it’s done, it’s going to be a great asset to Spokane,” said Jack Green, co-owner of Green’s Market in Hillyard.
Green has been talking about the corridor since 1986 when he was on the Chief Garry Park Neighborhood board. Now, he runs Green’s Market with his daughter Niki Morse.
Green’s Market has become a neighborhood staple in Hillyard.
“Right now, we’re fortunate because we have people intentionally taking that extra time to come here,” Green explained.
The project was originally funded through a package called Connecting Washington, but the pandemic, and inflation have reduced its revenue stream.
“We’ve heard a number of times that it has been fully funded and then it’s not. That gets frustrating,” Green said.
The proposed gas tax aims to cover these funding gaps.
Morse sees the corridor as beneficial for the community. “There are strong greens that are grown here, and I think the North South freeway helps water those roots,” she said.
When completed, the elevated highway will provide a direct route through eastern Spokane, potentially improving travel throughout the region.
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