Parker attends community meeting to discuss ideas for problem highway intersection
Last night about 200 people gathered to discuss ideas and solutions to prevent collisions at the intersection of Cheney-Spokane Road and Highway 195, where a young woman was killed three weeks ago. Rep. Kevin Parker, R-Spokane, flew to Spokane to attend the event so he could listen to concerns and ideas.
“I was sad to hear about Lorissa's tragic accident, but encouraged that something positive can come out of her family's grief,” Parker said. “I'm proud the community took the initiative to hold this meeting to do something about the trouble intersection.”
Twenty-seven collisions have occurred at the intersection, 25 of them due to vehicles crossing high-speed traffic.
“Residents can't get anywhere within their community without using the highway, there simply isn't adequate infrastructure,” Parker said. “So every day drivers must turn on to a 55 miles-per-hour highway without any traffic controls. The community members had several ideas for temporarily and permanently solving the problem.”
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has studied the intersection and has beginning design plans for an interchange and city arterial. WSDOT estimates $14 million is needed for the first phase of the intersection project.
“I told them last night I was there to take their stories and suggestions back to Olympia, and that's exactly what I intend to do,” Parker said. “I want to ensure this deadly intersection receives the funding our taxpayers deserve.”
Parker said he hopes to invite the same community members to testify before the House Transportation Committee for funding needed in this biennium's transportation budget. He has spoken with the chair of the committee and will be meeting with her to discuss the project.
