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Draft traffic study flags future bottlenecks on Appleway and Liberty Lake Road; recommends turn lanes and roundabouts
Summary
A consultant presented a draft network analysis Oct. 7 analyzing 23 intersections across Liberty Lake, projecting 27,000 additional daily trips by 2028 and identifying near-term and long-term mitigations including added turn lanes, a multilane roundabout at Harvard/ Wellington Parkway and signal changes at Country Vista and Appleway.
A draft transportation network analysis presented to the Liberty Lake City Council on Oct. 7 identifies intersections that will require changes as the city grows and recommends specific mitigations for the short term (to 2028) and long term (to 2046).
Mitch Hadfield of Parametrics summarized a study that modeled 23 intersections, used turning movement counts taken during peak hours, and applied two growth scenarios: a short-term 2028 scenario based on planned developments and a long‑term 2046 scenario using Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) travel‑demand modeling. Parametrics said projected growth tied to current development plans would add about 27,000 daily trips citywide, with roughly 1,600 trips in the AM peak hour and 2,200 in the PM peak hour.
Key short-term recommendations include: a westbound right‑turn overlap phase at the Appleway Avenue/LIBERTY LAKE ROAD signal, a second eastbound left turn lane at the southerly Liberty Lake Road signal, and measures to limit certain southbound left turns at the Mission Avenue/Country Vista intersection during peak hours. Parametrics said the I‑90 ramps and Appleway intersection are a WSDOT facility and any mitigation there will require coordination with WSDOT. The consultant also identified Harvard Road and Wellington Parkway as a location where a multilane roundabout funded by incoming development may be needed.
For the long range (2046), Parametrics recommended expanded capacity at the Harvard/Wellington roundabout, dual southbound and westbound left turns at Appleway/Liberty Lake Road and signalization at Country Vista and Appleway as volumes continue to rise. The consultant said many intersections could be managed initially with signal‑timing adjustments and targeted turn lanes; larger geometric changes such as multi‑lane roundabouts would be considered as development proceeds.
City staff said the draft will be circulated to WSDOT, SRTC, Spokane County and Spokane Valley for technical review, and the city will publish a story map with a survey for public comment.
Ending: The consultant and staff will collect agency and public feedback, then bring a final report back to council. Several council members asked about specific local intersections and whether near‑term signage or turn restrictions could address pinch points while longer-term projects are planned.
