Thanks to efforts by local, state, and federal agencies in addition to private sector, utility, and rail partners, Spokane is proving that strategic infrastructure investments can deliver a safer, more connected, and prosperous community.

For decades, Inland Northwest residents have navigated a regional transportation network defined by major bottlenecks. Longtime drivers can remember when the north-south freeway was a distant prospect, air travelers were pushed through outdated airport gates, and Spokane Valley commuters routinely idled at rail crossings while long freight trains weaved through the city.

Today, that narrative has flipped. Across Spokane County, a wave of major transportation investments is turning long-standing plans into concrete and steel, unlocking economic potential, enhancing public safety, and strengthening regional mobility. 

Nowhere is this transformation more visible than along Sprague Avenue, where motorists now travel beneath massive concrete bridge girders — a landmark milestone for the North Spokane Corridor. First envisioned in the 1940s, seeing the elevated freeway take shape over Sprague Avenue provides tangible proof that Spokane’s long-running infrastructure project is finally nearing the finish line.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, these girders form part of the $81 million Stage 3 segment under construction by Spokane-based Max J. Kuney Co. Carrying two elevated structures from Alki Avenue south to Sprague Avenue, Stage 3 establishes the link between the corridor and Interstate 90. 

When completed in the early 2030s, the $2 billion, 10.5-mile highway will connect U.S. 395 at Wandermere to I-90.

While highway crews build overhead bridges, Spokane International Airport is elevating the region's travel experience. 

The airport recently completed its $150 million Concourse C expansion, replacing ground-boarding operations with modern jet bridges, six gates, upgraded ticket counters, enhanced baggage handling, and smart glass that regulates heat and glare. 

Currently, travelers headed to the airport will find construction detours underway as work on new pickup and drop-off areas, temporary concourse paths, and a temporary baggage claim is expected to continue through 2030. 

Together, the airport improvements aim to accommodate rising passenger volumes and present a welcoming gateway for tourists and other visitors.

And in Spokane Valley, municipal leaders are strategically resolving persistent traffic and safety hazards at BNSF Railway crossings.

Following the completion of the $26 million Barker Road overpass project — which eliminated 162 minutes of daily train delays — the city is developing the $48 million Pines Road-BNSF Grade Separation Project. Funded by a $21.7 million federal RAISE grant, the project replaces the existing Pines Road rail crossing with an underpass and roundabout at the intersection of Pines and Trent. 

This improvement will save drivers an estimated four hours of daily wait time, improve emergency response, and unlock access to nearly 600 acres of industrial land.

Civic progress demands persistent advocacy and multiagency cooperation. Years of planning and community patience are finally yielding tangible results and proving that coordinated infrastructure investments can turn historic pain points into enduring regional assets. Spokane County is an example of what can be achieved when regional leaders unite to improve community connections.