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Last October, the Millwood Historical Society sponsored a walking tour of the town, complete with stops at landmarks like the Inland Empire Paper Mill and the Millwood Presbyterian Church.
Those who took part in the event also learned about the community’s burgeoning north/south freeway, commonly referred to as Argonne Road.
In the spring, Millwood Mayor Dan Mork paid a visit to the town’s new Farmers Market, located one block off Argonne on Euclid. As the mayor walked over to the gathering of fruit stands and local vendors, the distinction between the frenetic traffic of Argonne and the rest of the town became even clearer.
“You go just one block in and there are tree-lined streets, and it’s quiet,” Mork said. “Argonne has become the main divider in town.”
Well before Mork took office in January 2005, he realized that residents of Millwood had a litany of concerns about Argonne, from its lack of sidewalks and bike paths to much-needed pavement upgrades. Then there is the matter of crossing the busy street.
“It’s pretty scary,” Mork said. “You have to really watch out.”
Now the town is hoping that a grant from the Spokane Regional Transportation Council will transform Argonne into a safer, friendlier thoroughfare, one that will include pathways for foot and bike traffic as well as refinements to the basic infrastructure of the roadway.
At Monday’s Town Council meeting, Millwood Public Works Director Cleve McCoul provided an update on discussions regarding the $1.3 million SRTC grant. McCoul described how the state Transportation Improvement Board, which is funding about 15 percent of the work, is authorized to add up to $200,000 for pedestrian improvements.
“The TIB is really supportive of pedestrian issues and safety,” McCoul said.
Millwood Attorney Brian Werst said the town plans to work with local merchants and property owners to define areas where sidewalks and bike lanes could be added. Like Mork, McCoul and other town leaders, Werst said the renovation of Argonne should be as comprehensive as possible.
“This is not just about street traffic,” he said. “It’s about foot traffic and overall safety.”
In December, the town announced that Welch/Comer had been selected as the engineering firm that would oversee plans for the Argonne Road project. Representatives from the company are expected to have a presentation on the scope of the work prepared for the next Town Council meeting on March 3. Bids for the project will likely go out at the end of 2008 with construction beginning sometime in spring 2009.
Jeff Postlewait, owner of Rocket Bakery, was one of a number of representatives from Millwood’s business community who offered input at a series of public meetings on the project last year. Postlewait said the shortage of sidewalk space, vehicle speed and increase in truck traffic on Argonne continue to be concerns for both business owners and clients.
“We definitely hear about it on a daily basis,” Postlewait said.
Mork said he hoped the plans could include at least two illuminated crosswalks and a bike lane that would connect to the Centennial Trail. Improving the sidewalk system – including the addition of pavement along the west side of
Argonne where dirt slopes are interspersed with concrete walkways – should also be a top priority, Mork said.
“There have been accidents at crosswalks,” Mork said. “Residents have to be able to get around their town safely.”
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By
Craig Howard
