Tri-County Transportation Summaries Ferry County Comprehensive Plan 2011-updated

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  Colville’s transportation chapter represents their policy and plan through 2030.
  
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  US 395 serves as the main north-south arterial in the Colville downtown area and is the major truck route through the middle of town.
  
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  SR 20 runs east and is at the northern most end of the central business district.
  
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  SR 20 provides access to the Colville Municipal Airport and to the Colville High School.
  
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  Traffic circulation within the downtown area is principally served by US 395 AND Wynne Street.
  
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  Colville has five signalized intersections along US 395 (also known as Main Street): Birch Avenue, 1^st Avenue, 3^rd Avenue (SR 20), Wynne Street, and Canning Drive.
  
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  New roundabouts have been constructed at the north and south ends of the city. The two locations are:
  
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    South roundabout: Main Street and Hawthorne Avenue.
    
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    North roundabout: Railroad Street and 5^th Avenue and is a part of the highway route.
    

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  US 395 is a five lane road through the middle of down town.
  

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  The City of Colville used the website walkscore.com as a means of determining how walkabout their town was. They found that the downtown core had a relatively high walkscore while the residential areas did not. The City of Colville would like to increase their non-motorized transportation users and they would consider the criteria from walkscore’s website as a way to increase this participation
  
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  Develop a non-motorized trail for pedestrians and bicyclists between Colville and Kettle Falls.
  
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  Intermittent trail heads and rest areas will need to be established if a more intricate intra-trail system is developed.
  
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  The City would like to propose that the upkeep of the trails and some parks would need to be handled by the private sector, the local service organization or the City Park Department.
  
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  The Pedestrian & Bicycle Plan needs to be adopted by the City Council as part of this element as a means of increasing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
  
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  Develop goals and objectives that address year-round maintenance of sidewalks, trails, and bicycle lanes.
  
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  Sidewalks are required within C-2 District, the school walk route, and on arterial and collector streets as adopted by Ordinance No. 1298 N.S. and amended by 1343 N.S. There are sections of the sidewalk that need repair, replacement, or new construction.
  
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  The City is limited on the number of marked pedestrian routes.
  
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  The Pedestrian & Bicycle Plan has recommended other safety methods be utilized at pedestrian crossings in high-traffic areas which include manually activated electronic signals and/or hand-held flags.
  
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  Some of the bike lanes along the scenic bike route, Golden Tiger Bike Path, need to be widened and clearly identified as bike lanes. Additionally, this bike route is not always kept clear for safe travel. A program to enable the city to regularly maintain these routes should be considered.
  
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  The City should provide more bicycle racks and bicycle shelters specifically around shopping, services, employment, and recreational centers.
  

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  The City of Colville has limited public transportation available. Rural Resources is a bus program for seniors, the disabled and low-income households in the area.
  
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  There is not adequate funding to provide a local bus service to all citizens.
  

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  Rail transportation to Colville is limited to the transport of goods.
  

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  The City of Colville does not have any water transportation.
  

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  The Colville Municipal Airport offers no commercial service.
  
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  The current airport does not meet some of the FAA standards for A-1 or B-1 (small) categories of aircraft. It has been identified that the airport may need to be relocated and constructed into a new facility capable of serving air transportation needs on a regional basis.
  
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  The plan for the new facility is supported by both the Tri-County Economic Development District, the State Transportation Plan and the local business community who have expressed the desire and need to accommodate commercial and commuter flights.
  

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  Both sides of Main Street between Birch and 3^rd Avenue should be considered for diagonal parking.
  
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  There are restrictions to parking within the Colville Municipal Code which need to be reviewed for compliance.
  

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  Pavement is typically in good condition on the principal arterials, city arterials, major/minor collectors but the public works department has expressed the need to prioritize funding for the existing “pavement preservation program.” An identified goal would be for the City to contribute to this program on a regular basis.
  
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  Alley ways are used for alternate, and in some cases, primary access to structures on residential and commercial property.
  

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  Colville serves as a major retail, government, education, and medical center for northeast Washington’s tri-county area. Traffic can be expected to increase along US 395 as population and the number of commuters increase.
  

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  The community requests that some of the parallel parking along Main Street be removed and replaced with diagonal parking as a means of increasing patronage of local merchants.
  
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  Outside of the downtown business corridor, Colville’s topography is hilly with restrictions that include steep grades to the north and northeast and wetlands to the west.
  

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  Improve 3^rd Avenue (extension of SR 20), crossing the truck route and railroad tracks up to the lumber mill.
  
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  Upgrade Washington Street between Buena Vista Road and 8^th Avenue.
  
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  Extend Evergreen Way between Hawthorne Avenue and SR 20 (east of the airport).
  
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  Extend Mountain View eastward to connect with Cedar Loop.
  
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  Connect Garden Holms Drive with Cedar Loop Road (in the UGA).
  
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  Extend Hawthorne Avenue east/northeasterly to SR 20 above the reservoir sites.
  
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  Provide for increasing lanes/widening of US 395 within the northern commercial district.
  

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  Maintain a grid pattern system of development where terrain and other geographical factors allow it.
  
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  Maintain a number of minor arterials and collector streets as a way to direct commuter routes.
  
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  Connectivity of arterial and collector streets to different land uses and neighborhoods and vice versa.
  
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  Construction costs for roadway improvement would be based on the approximate length and roadway design standard for its classification. These costs could include; right-of-way, acquisition, subsurface exploration, underground utility design or installation, engineering, construction management fees, materials, labor, and contingency fees of about 40%.
  
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  Preserve existing right-of-way within each corridor as a means of controlling costs.
  
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  Potential alignments should be designated in order to protect the corridor and provide logical right-of-way acquisition during future development.
  
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  It is important for the City of Colville to coordinate future transportation projects and planning efforts with both Stevens County and WSDOT. Specifically, improvements for the sections of US 395 and SR 20 near the city.
  
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  Community involvement and inter-agency support is fundamental in the development of new bike lanes and sidewalks.
  
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  Stevens County and WSDOT need to be kept informed of new development proposals in Colville that may impact the highway or county roads.
  

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  Kettle Falls has developed primarily along US 395, the main north/south route through Stevens County.
  
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  Commercial development is centered on the highway on the northern side of Kettle Falls.
  
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  Industrial development also grew up adjacent to US 395 on the west side of the city.
  
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  Residential areas are located south of US 395.
  
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  Schools and public facilities are located in the downtown section of the city.
  
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  The street layout in the downtown can be generally described as a grid system.
  
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  A wide street with a landscaped median island runs through the central business district.
  
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  The street system outside of downtown is characterized by winding suburban roads.
  
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  The City of Kettle Falls would like to capitalize on its scenic location and encourage the development of tourism-related business.
  

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  Regional truck traffic and travelers going to the recreational facilities along the Columbia River drive through the area on US 395.
  
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  Increases in the volume of regional traffic are expected as the City encourages the development of tourism related businesses.
  
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  WSDOT has designated parts of SR 25 as part of the Scenic Highways System.
  

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  Principal arterials: serve the highest volumes of traffic with fewer access points. They serve traffic going into, out of, and through the urban area.
  
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  Minor arterials: connect to principal arterials and serve intra-city traffic and some through traffic.
  
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  Collectors: serve internal circulation, connect to arterials, and provide land access.
  
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  All other unclassified streets are local streets
  

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  Completion of the pedestrian system should be considered along higher volume arterial and collector roadways and they should link to public facilities (schools/parks)
  
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  Pedestrian paths should be constructed on both sides of the street
  
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  Residential and collector streets should have 5 to 6 foot pathways with optional 3 to 5 foot landscape strips.
  
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  Arterial Streets should have 6 foot walkways with optional landscape strips in non-commercial areas and 8 foot walkways adjacent to the curb in commercial areas.
  
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  Pedestrian connections should be provided between any cul-de-sac and other dead end streets.
  
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  Improvements to better accommodate pedestrian and bicyclists are desirable and are viewed as a necessary transportation alternative for the growing population over the next 25 years
  
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  Bicycle and Pedestrian improvements are seen as ways to encourage tourism related business.
  

Table 5.2 – Recommended pedestrian improvement within the City of Kettle Falls.

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  Bicycle facilities are currently not provided in the City of Kettle Falls. However, US 395 and SR 25 are occasionally used by recreational cyclists.
  
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  There is a plan for a non-motorized trail between Kettle Falls and Colville.:
  

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  Bike lanes may be added to existing roadways where adequate paved surface is available and at any time to encourage cycling.
  
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    US 395 have had increased traffic volumes and are expected to increase in the future. The high traffic volumes could cause conflicts and safety hazards for bicyclists using the highway.
    

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  The City of Kettle Falls currently does not provide public transit for its residents.
  
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  Gold Line an intra-city bus transit and makes 12 stops on each trip, including Spokane International Airport, STA Plaza and Spokane Intermodal in Downtown Spokane, North Spokane Park & Ride, Deer Park, Loon Lake, Chewelah Casino, Chewelah, Addy, Arden, Colville, and Kettle Falls.
  
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  Rural Resources provides services for seniors, the disabled and low income households in the area.
  

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  Rail transportation to Kettle Falls by the Kettle Falls International Railway is limited to the transportation of goods only and follows US 395 through the City.
  
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  The Kettle Falls switching yard provides service for Boise Cascade and for the Canadian Mills transporting lumber products. Comico, a chemical manufacturer in Trail, British Columbia, also uses the rail line through Kettle Falls
  

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  At-grade crossings should have proper signing and warning devices for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.
  
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  Increased efficiency will reduce the number of times that trains block Meyers and Juniper Streets.
  
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  The switching yard may be expanded.
  

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  No commercial water transportation is available in Kettle Falls.
  

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  There are no air transportation facilities available in Kettle Falls.
  

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  Many of the suburban streets are looped with few connections to adjacent areas.
  

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  The Kettle Falls International Railway line that runs east to west through Kettle Falls along the northern border of the city is a major traffic circulation strain. The railroad is a major impediment to traffic flow at the intersections of Meyers Street and US 395 and at Juniper Street and US 395.
  
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  Two major transportation facilities cross the City of Kettle Falls
  
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    US 395: runs in an east to west direction along the northern part of the city
    
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    State Route 25 (SR 25): runs from the Canadian border along the Columbia River
    
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  Kettle Falls has only one signalized intersection located at Meyers Street and US 395
  
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  The land area adjacent to the northern side of US 395 is steep and rocky, limiting access and development from the City of Kettle falls and the Colville River
  
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  There is limited parking in the City for recreational vehicles and trucks
  

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  Pend Oreille County transportation system relies heavily on US Route 2 and State Routes (SR) 20, 31, and 211.
  
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  US 2 is a part of the National Highway System.
  
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  US 2 is a rural four-lane roadway until it reaches the southern County line at SR 211 and then a two-lane highway to the City of Newport.
  
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  SR 20 is mostly a two-lane highway, it follows the Pend Oreille River to the City of Newport.
  
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  SR 31 is a two-lane highway that runs south from the Canadian border where it terminates at Tiger Junction and joins SR 20.
  
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  SR 211 is a 14-mile roadway connecting US 2 on the south and SR 20 on the north. This route provides a more direct route the northern portion of the County for those entering/leaving Spokane County.
  

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  Bicycle facilities should serve to connect attractions and resources such as schools, commercial areas, employment centers, and recreational facilities.
  
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  The WSDOT Bicycle Map indicated that bicycling is allowed on some parts of US 2 and State Routes 20, 31, and 211 within the County. Recreational bicycling is growing in popularity in Pend Oreille County.
  
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  Many of the popular routes have limited or no shoulders and have limited sight distance.
  

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  Improvements to pedestrian safety were raised by the general public and include construction new crosswalks, pedestrian bridges, sidewalks/paths, and widening existing shoulders.
  
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  Designated trails outside federally owned land in Pend Oreille County are almost nonexistent but Pend Oreille County has identified that there is a need for more clearly marked and developed trails for hikers, bicyclists, horse riding and pedestrians.
  

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  The only designated equestrian trails outside of state or federal parks, are in the County Park.
  

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  The Port of Pend Oreille owns and operated the Pend Oreille Valley Railroad (POVA) and repair facilities for locomotives and rail cars.
  

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  The Transportation chapter for Pend Oreille County provides an inventory or state-owned bridges and county-owned bridges. There are no projects indicated for either one of the inventories.
  

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  “Heavy vehicles” refer to trucks used to transport freight and goods and recreational vehicles. The
  
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  County has included this section within the Comprehensive Plan because there is a lot of use by these vehicles on the counties roads and the vehicles are frequently prohibited from using the County road system during thaw conditions each spring to avoid deterioration of the roads. Table A-2 of the Appendix, within the plan, lists the roadways typically closed to truck traffic each spring.
  

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  SR 31 and SR 20 have been designated by the State as Scenic Byways. These routes are eligible for special grant programs to provide pullouts and other amenities. SR 31 and SR 20 are also part of a International Byway designated the Selkirk Loop.
  

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  Main route of transportation to and from the City of Newport is SR 2.
  
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  SR 2 turns into Washington Avenue and Walnut Street as it transverses through the city.
  
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  The 1998 downtown revitalization project created a one-way couplet with Washington Avenue south and Union Avenue north. The project beautified the downtown with brick sidewalks, benches, trees and street lights.
  
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  It is the City’s challenge to bring up the rest of the corridors to the same standards as Washington Avenue and Union Avenue.
  
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  There were 14,800 average daily trips on SR 2 and SR 20 in 2000 within the downtown area of the City of Newport. There is growing concern for the city’s downtown core and sharing the same corridors with pedestrians and cyclists.
  
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  The City of Newport has identified a pedestrian destination priority list; schools, health care facilities, commercial centers, public buildings, jobs, parks, and trails.
  
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  The city will encourage creative solutions to street design but they prefer to accommodate functional value of any street design to accommodate expected traffic and its aesthetic value to create an appealing visual image.
  

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  Two of the most dangerous areas are at the intersection of Union Avenue and Walnut Street, and the intersection of Washington Avenue and SR 2 at the south side of town.
  
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  Pedestrians are at risk when walking from the central business district and the residential area to the highway commercial area along Walnut Street due to insufficient sidewalks, crosswalks and lights.
  
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  Large trucks use Washington and Union Avenue creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians and automobiles.
  
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  The City of Newport faces the potential of a dramatic rise in truck and car traffic when SR 2 takes the place of Highway 95 as the quickest route to Spokane.
  
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  Traffic along Walnut Street becomes choked in the summer with the extra tourist traffic.
  
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  Burlington Northern Santa Fe owns the only road that serves the residential area on the south side of the railroad tracks.
  
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  Potential tourists traveling from Spokane through Newport along Union Avenue may not fully realize that they have missed the heart of Newport along Washington Avenue.
  
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  Hazardous materials are transported through the City of Newport by rail and by truck. It is vital that all emergency services are fully trained in dealing with any unforeseen emergency involving hazardous materials.
  
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  There is an area between Walnut and Spruce Streets that used to be the beginning of SR 20 going north out of Newport. It has been blocked off since the revitalization project with concrete barriers that are confusing to drivers. This area is being considered as a one-way street to funnel SR 20 traffic into Newport to avoid the congestion point at Walnut Street and Washington Avenue.
  

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  Two ferried operate on the Colville Indian Reservation; Gifford-Inchelium Ferry and the Keller Ferry.
  
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  There is no fair to ride the Gifford-Inchelium Ferry and the weight limit is 40 tons.
  
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  Approximately 60,000 vehicles travel on the Keller Ferry which is a direct link to State Route 21.
  
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  Keller Ferry makes an average of 30-35 trips daily.
  

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  Replace existing Inchelium ferry with a bridge across Lake Roosevelt
  

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  The Okanogan County Transportation and Nutrition program provides a free shuttle service for Tribal and non-tribal members.
  

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  The Cascade and Columbia River Railroad hauls freight and runs north/south and parallel to the western border of the Reservation from Wenatchee to Oroville, passing through Omak near the Reservations Omak Industrial Park.
  

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  Bicycling is prohibited on any of the state highways located within the Reservation.
  

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  Develop bus shelters where current bus stops exist.
  
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  Develop a bus barn to protect existing transit vehicles parked in Omak.
  

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  Extend ferry operating hours.
  
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  Provide a dry dock for Ferry maintenance staff to complete necessary repairs.
  
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  Provide an alternative mode of transportation for students of the Evergreen School in Gifford. Delays or closure of the Inchelium Ferry often result in loss of attendance by students.
  

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  Limited number of walking and bicycle riding activities.
  
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  Lack of safety precautions for bicyclists and automobiles.
  
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  Need continued bicycle education.
  
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  Improvements to enhance pedestrian mobility and safety could include marked crosswalks, pedestrian bridges, sidewalks, and paths.
  
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  Pedestrian improvement projects should take place near schools, within commercial business areas, and around recreational areas.
  

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  Throughout the Reservation there are a number of access roads that need development.
  
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  Improved access roads into campgrounds, fishing areas and economic development areas such as East Omak Industrial Park, Lake Rufus Woods and Round Lake.
  

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  Increase; signage in appropriate locations for motorist, autos, bicyclists and pedestrians, guardrails, safety audits, reflectors, milepost markers, etc.
  
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  Speeding and lack of police to enforce speeding violations near populated areas along Highway 155.
  

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  Expand transit service to accommodate elders medical and other needs. Develop vanpools
  
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  Construct safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists.
  
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  Install advance warning, mileage, street and other signs. Native language road names.
  
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  Implement low cost safety solutions, ie: stripping, ramble strips, street lights, reflectors, safety edges, flashing warning lights, etc.
  
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  Fund defensive driving and other safety classes. Use the Tribe’s website for safety media campaign.
  
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  Pave roads to reduce dust and improve driving surfaces.
  
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  Improve maintenance and equipment.
  
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  Increase houses at the Inchelium Ferry.
  
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  Update the Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) inventory.
  
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  Improve dangerous intersections.
  
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  There is expresses interest in accessibility to local flights to regional airports.
  

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  Kalispel Transit (KALTRAN) is a transit service provided to the Town of Ione, the City of Newport and the City of Spokane.
  
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  KALTRAN is a service open to the general public and operates Monday through Thursday
  
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  Rural Resources Community Action (RR) is a transit service which operates between Newport and Usk.
  
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  Rural Resources also operates under a dial-a-ride service between Metaline Falls and Newport
  
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  Special Mobility Services (SMS) is a Medicaid Broker for Pend Oreille County. SMS arranges trips for Medicaid recipients to eligible Medicaid services
  

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  The Airport River Bend is a small airport with charter service located in Cusick.
  
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  The Onserud Airfield is located in Usk.
  

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  People want a reliable source of transportation in and around the Reservation area, including trips to Newport, Ione, Use, and Cusick. Access is needed to services including: work, shopping, fitness, education, and personal business.
  
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  Service to the Northern Quest Casino for work and recreation trips is needed.
  
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  A driver training program that instructs drivers on safety issues including texting while driving, maintaining a safe speed, and schedule adherence is needed.
  

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  KALTRAN needs additional marketing and public outreach.
  
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  KALTRAN has identified a need to provide transit to the Kalispel Casino in the City of Airway Heights.
  
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  Transit service to 49 Degrees North Ski Area and to Chewelah has been identified as a need. The connection point in Chewelah would provide the Spokane Tribe with additional transit options.
  
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  New funding sources should be identified to; update and provide a better KALTRAN brochure for the general public, maintenance of older vehicles, purchase new vehicles, and increase the number of days and times KALTRAN provides services on preexisting transit routes.
  

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  The use of public transportation by tribal members is on the rise.
  

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  The tribe would like to increase safety for bicyclists and pedestrians by providing sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure and lighting.
  
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  Integrate transportation needs such as lighting, pedestrian and bicycle paths into the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) as a means of prioritizing, plan for the tribal community, and provide support implementation of future funding opportunities.
  

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  Moccasin Express (TME) provides a public transportation service from the Spokane Tribe Reservation to the City of Airway Heights. The connection to the City of Airway Heights has made it possible for tribal members to connect to 5 adjacent counties through the Spokane Transit Authority (STA), Citylink, and the Kalispel Transit System (KALTRAN). The 5 counties include Spokane, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry and Kootenai.
  
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  Much of the development has induced auto-dependency and much of the current transportation systems to not support walking and biking. Future road infrastructure should include public transit and alternative modes of transportation.
  
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  Lack of funding for new public transit vehicles, operations and maintenance has been identified.
  
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  Expand, improve, and increase the frequency of current transportation service on and off the reservation.
  
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  Identify and build transit center sites, shelters and park and rides
  
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  Increase the number of Transit Shelters on Tribal lands.
  

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  Current roadways do not accommodate or provide separation between cars, bicycles, and pedestrians.
  
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  Separate and designate pathways for non-motorized transportation
  

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  Improve safety on the road for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Improve lighting, signage, handicapped accessibility and well maintained roads.
  
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  Improve existing roads that exceed the average daily traffic count of 100 vehicles to paved surface.
  
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  Improve existing roads that exceed the average daily traffic count of 40 vehicles to a gravel surface.
  
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  Improve existing roads or driveways that consist of 3 or more homes.