City announces grants and timing for Mission Avenue, Molter overlay; Sprague Avenue plan shifts to reconstruction

Liberty Lake — City staff updated the City Council on capital facilities and transportation projects July 1, reporting recently awarded grants, near‑term construction work and design changes on a long‑planned roadway project.

City engineer Luke Michaels described a Department of Commerce grant of about $1,000,000 toward a Mission Avenue frontage project estimated at $1,700,000 that will add sidewalks on the south side and new stormwater treatment to protect the local aquifer. Michaels said design may begin this summer or fall and an administrator would reach out to the city in the coming weeks on the grant administration steps.

Michaels also said the city received a Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) grant for a Molter overlay project, estimated at $1,500,000 with approximately $1,100,000 funded by the SRTC grant; the project is programmed for 2027–2029 with anticipated design in 2027 and construction in 2028. Staff reported the Molter/Apple Way signal upgrade is functionally complete and that testing remains before final acceptance.

Public works and engineering staff outlined design changes to the Sprague Avenue project. After field investigation, staff concluded an overlay would be insufficient because of thin pavement and poor base; a full reconstruction is now planned, which raises cost and pushed the timeline. Staff also said stormwater collection on Sprague has been difficult to design due to property constraints; recent arborist findings that north‑side trees are failing creates space for roadside swales and a plan to collect and treat stormwater on the north side.

Ben (city staff) reported the Harvard Road Trailhead is near completion, with asphalt path and striping done and the parking lot expected to open around the Fourth of July; restrooms may remain closed an additional week for concrete curing. The Hub Facility soccer field was reported complete. Staff noted the Harvard/Wellington roundabout was rescheduled to 2027 based on developer timing.

Staff also said the city is deploying sidewalk LiDAR scanning and Google‑style pavement imaging this month to support the sidewalk and pavement master plans. Pedestrian improvements include installing a four‑way stop at Country Vista and Molter, with work starting in early morning to minimize heat effects. Tree removals associated with Sprague Avenue reconstruction will be followed by replanting consistent with the city’s street tree standards, staff said.

Councilors asked whether the county would assist with right‑of‑way maintenance on parts of Sprague; staff said discussions with the county have yielded incremental progress but not full responsibility. No formal council action was taken at the update; staff will return to council with project designs and schedules as grants are administered and designs progress.