The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that it has awarded Spokane Transit Authority (STA) a $2 million grant to further the design of active transportation improvements in the Division Street Corridor. The grant is provided under the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program and supports a collaborative design effort with partner agencies and the community, including the City of Spokane, Spokane County, and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
The Division Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, STA’s second BRT route following City Line, is a 10-mile initiative designed to connect downtown Spokane to the Mead area, including Mead High School. This service is a core component of the planned transportation investments along the Division Street Corridor. It will utilize zero-emission buses and include dedicated Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes to ensure frequent, reliable transit, cutting both wait and travel times compared to existing bus services. With service planned every 15 minutes or better, the project will enhance transit accessibility for Spokane-area residents, making it easier to connect with work, school, healthcare, and recreation. Key elements of the project, as identified in the DivisionConnects study—a coordinated effort between the partner agencies on this grant and the Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC)—include active transportation improvements, such as new and enhanced bike and pedestrian facilities. The grant funding from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program will support the design of these active transportation elements, which complement the BRT investment by connecting to the BRT line and linking communities on either side of Division Street.
“The City of Spokane is excited to continue its partnership with STA. The Division Street BRT project aligns with our vision for sustainable urban development and our work on the Division Street Transit Oriented Development plan. The grant also advances our commitment to build 27 miles of safe, high-comfort bikeways by 2027, which includes areas adjacent to the planned Division Street BRT alignment,” said City of Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown.
The Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program focuses on restoring and improving community connectivity by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating transportation facilities that have created barriers to mobility, access, or economic growth. The Division Street BRT project embodies these goals by fostering equitable development and ensuring residents have access to opportunities that enhance their daily lives.
“We worked hard to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because we knew how much of a difference this historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure would make in Washington state—and today, thanks to that law, we’re seeing hundreds of local projects newly underway, upgrading our roads, ports, and transit systems, and better connecting our communities,” said Senator Patty Murray. “I’m excited to announce this funding for the Spokane Transit Authority to plan Bus Rapid Transit service on Division Street, which is one of the busiest streets in Spokane—this project will mean faster, more reliable, and more frequent bus service for folks in Spokane. I’ll keep fighting in the new Congress to bring home federal funding to Washington state at every opportunity and protect the laws Democrats passed that are helping people and solving problems in our communities.”
“Our region’s partners have been envisioning a reimagined future for the Division Street Corridor once the North Spokane Corridor fully opens, and while the Division Street BRT has been a cornerstone of this vision, this Reconnecting Communities also presents a wonderful opportunity to focus on the active transportation elements of the project,” said STA Interim Co-CEO Karl Otterstrom.
“This grant is a significant milestone for our region,” said Pam Haley, City of Spokane Valley Mayor and STA Board Chair. “Division Street BRT will provide faster, more reliable transit options, foster economic growth, and improve quality of life for our residents, especially with these improved bike and pedestrian options.”
Learn more about Division Street BRT and the 2024 USDOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot.
