Fire station construction to bring traffic changes

The Bureau of Reclamation Grand Coulee Dam is anticipating construction of its new fire station this spring, but there will be several changes before construction begins, the agency said in a press release.

On Nov. 21, the speed limit will be lowered from 40 mph to 30 mph on the section of SR-155 that passes the Grand Coulee Industrial Area facilities, where heavy equipment and construction vehicles will enter and exit the highway at Industrial Road for approximately 18 months after construction of the fire station gets underway.

The speed limit will remain at 30 mph once construction is complete as fire trucks and emergency vehicles will access the highway in the area.

"Safety is a top priority for Reclamation," said Lynne Brougher, public affairs officer at Grand Coulee Dam. "Though the speed limit reduction will occur prior to construction, we want local drivers to become accustomed to the change."

In addition, two streets approaching the construction area will be closed just before construction begins. These include Industrial Road from SR-155 to B Street, and B Street from Division Street to Industrial Road. The roads will reopen once construction is completed.

The fire station construction is expected to be complete by the summer of 2018.  

Reclamation awarded the $13.6 million construction contract to Innovative Construction & Design Ltd., a small business based in Post Falls, Idaho, September 16.