Spokane Valley nabs $21 million grant for Sullivan, Trent interchange project

Spokane Valley secured a $20.8 million federal grant to rehabilitate the Sullivan Road bridge as part of the Sullivan Road and Trent Avenue Interchange Project. The City of Spokane Valley said the bridge is over 60 years old, rated structurally deficient, in poor condition, and too low on the Trent side, where it has been struck repeatedly. City of Spokane Valley Mayor Laura Padden called the effort bipartisan and said the project is the third major transportation initiative the city has advanced through relationship-building and a federal lobbying effort. The U.S. Department of Transportation funds were supported by the area’s federal delegation, including Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Congressman Michael Baumgartner. Planned improvements include two roundabouts and an additional lane to address recurring congestion, which can stretch roughly half a mile behind lights. Total project funding is $41.1 million of the $50.7 million budget, with the city awaiting a decision on a separate $7.5 million state freight grant and aiming to complete final design by next summer.