Council advances 2025 budget amendment first reading after public hearing on bridge monitoring

The Spokane Valley City Council on Oct. 28 heard public comment and staff testimony before advancing, to a second reading, an ordinance amending the 2025 budget that adds funding to study movement and deterioration at two local bridges.

The amendment would add $80,000 in new street-fund appropriations for monitoring and geotechnical work on the north side of the southbound Sullivan River Bridge and for additional evaluation of the 1968 timber bridge on Steen Road over Salteez Creek; staff said $80,000 is additional to an amount already included and brings the total study/monitoring allocation to about $100,000. City staff described the funds as a one-time, nonrecurring use of existing street fund balance.

The Sullivan River Bridge approach slab has shown radial cracking, a settling sidewalk and a large void below an approach slab discovered when crews repaired an expansion joint, Public Works Director Robert Blagan said. Blagan said city engineers have…