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Spokane adopts six-year street program; Division corridor bus rapid transit draws lone council dissent
Summary
City Council adopted the 2026–2031 six-year comprehensive street program on June 23, adding 15 new projects — many grant-funded bike and pedestrian safety improvements — while one councilor said she would vote against the package because it included the Division Street bus rapid transit project.
The Spokane City Council voted June 23 to adopt the 2026–2031 six-year comprehensive street program, a capital plan that adds 15 new projects — many funded by grants — and lists additional partially funded or unfunded projects for future consideration.
Kevin Picano of Integrated Capital Management in Public Works summarized outreach to the transportation and planning commissions and work presented at prior council meetings. Picano told the council roughly half of the 15 new projects are the result of grant awards totaling about $12 million and that the new projects are "heavily weighted on bike and pedestrian safety projects." He also noted both the transportation commission and the planning commission found the projects consistent with the comprehensive plan.
Public testimony at the hearing included resident Larry Andrews raising concerns about tree maintenance and street upkeep; Andrews urged more maintenance spending and cited problems with overgrown medians and untrimmed trees that impede truck access.
Council debate highlighted the broad distribution of projects across council districts and the reliance on state and grant funding. Most council members expressed support for the package. Council member Bingle said she supported the projects generally but announced she would vote against the overall package because it included the Division Street bus rapid transit (BRT) program. Bingle said she did not support lane reductions on Division until the North–South Corridor is completed and called Division the city’s busiest street.
The program passed by recorded vote with a majority; councilors said many projects will move forward now that grant funding is in place and that unfunded projects remain contingent on future matching funds or budget allocations. Staff emphasized a mixed portfolio of completed, under-construction, grant-funded and partially funded projects, with a focus on bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Councilors and staff said next steps include design, securing matches for partially funded projects and scheduling construction; several safety projects identified in the program were described as ready to proceed.
