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Spokane Transit to simplify Route 62 Sept. 21; $~200,000 planned to upgrade eight stops in Medical Lake
Summary
Spokane Transit Authority told the Medical Lake City Council it will simplify Route 62 and put a clearer, hourly schedule into effect on Sept. 21 and invest about $200,000 in ADA-accessible pads, a new shelter and other stop upgrades for eight stops in the city.
Spokane Transit Authority plans a service change that will simplify Route 62’s routing pattern and schedule, effective Sept. 21, and will invest “just a hair under about $200,000” to upgrade eight stops in Medical Lake, STA interim planning chief Emily Poole told the City Council at a Sept. 16 workshop. Poole said the simplified pattern will remove intermittent “blank spots” in the schedule and create a clearer, more consistent hourly cadence for riders.
The upgrades covered by the capital project will include Americans with Disabilities Act–accessible concrete pads at multiple stops, new railings for safety, a new solar shelter and a larger pad at the Medical Lake High School stop, and sidewalk connections and ramps where warranted. Poole said the work is tied to STA’s rural highway stop improvements program and the agency’s 10‑year strategic plan.
Why it matters: Council members and staff said the changes could improve access for shift workers at nearby employers. Poole said STA coordinated with the Eastern State Hospital transportation coordinator and adjusted schedules to accommodate all shifts, with particular emphasis on third‑shift employees. Poole also highlighted systemwide ridership: she said STA is one of a small group of large agencies whose 2024 ridership exceeded 2019 levels.
Details and timing: Poole said the new Route 62 pattern and schedule go live with STA’s Sept. 21 service change and that street teams will be on site to help riders with the transition. For the capital improvements STA staff said they are finalizing easements and grant paperwork and “are looking to potentially start construction this fall and anticipate either a fall finish or into 2026.” STA said the eight‑stop package reviewed with the council does not include additional stops the agency plans to evaluate in 2026.
Council questions and next steps: Council members asked about the agency’s criteria for placing shelters and whether older shelters could be relocated. Alyssa Peterson, STA capital projects manager, and Poole said shelter placement follows an established ridership threshold and lifecycle/maintenance considerations, and that older structures can become more expensive to maintain than to replace. Poole and Peterson said STA will continue working with city staff on required easements and on the final designs before going to bid for construction.
Public outreach: STA said information and schedules are posted on its website and that riders may call STA customer service for assistance and find in‑person help from STA street teams during the transition. Construction of the eight stops remains subject to easement agreements and final design, STA said.
