Spokane, WASH — Construction on Greene Street’s southbound lanes was supposed to wrap up today, but the city of Spokane has pushed the deadline back with no new completion date set — leaving nearby residents frustrated and concerned about safety.
The city says workers found more rebar in need of replacement than originally anticipated, forcing the project past its original end date. The delay also raises questions about the timeline for northbound lane work, which was scheduled to begin in early July. City officials say they do not yet know whether the delays will result in additional costs.
The construction, which has been underway for several weeks, has forced drivers to find alternate routes — sending more traffic through surrounding residential streets.
Em Parson, a mother of two who lives near the Greene Street construction zone, said she’s worried about what she sees as an increase in reckless driving in the area. “When people are upset or angry because they have to find a different route, they don’t care about their surroundings,” Parson said. “And if a kid steps out, they’re gone. It’s over.”
Parson says speeding through the area was already a problem before construction began, but the added detour traffic has made conditions worse. She described the situation as dangerous and said she worries about children in the neighborhood.
“It’s a tragedy just waiting to happen,” she said.
Beyond safety concerns, Parson says the detours have added roughly 10 minutes to her daily drives — a burden she says adds up quickly at the gas pump.
“It’s just one more trip to the gas station, more money, more things that we could have bought with something else,” she said.
With the southbound lane work still unfinished and northbound construction still ahead, Parson says she wants drivers to slow down and pay attention.
“Slow down. Look where you’re going. Our children’s future depends on it,” she said.
Once crews complete the southbound lanes, work on the northbound side is still expected to follow. The city has not provided a revised schedule or confirmed whether the northbound start date will also shift.
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