Project overview
Several new ramp meters have been implemented and activated throughout Spokane at on-ramps to both east and westbound I-90 with more coming. The ramp meters are used to space out vehicles as they enter I-90 to reduce the "platooning" of vehicles as they enter and reduce collisions. The ramp meters will also keep I-90 mainline at highway speeds.
What to expect
This project was completed in May of 2023. There are no impacts to the traveling public. Ramp meters are not yet operational as part of this project.
Project limits for the new ramp meters being installed on I-90 between US 2 and Sprague Avenue.
Ramp meters are traffic signals that operate according to real-time conditions on both the freeway and the ramps. They help reduce congestion by providing timed intervals between vehicles, rather than allowing multiple vehicles to enter the freeway at once. Studies show that ramp meters reduce collisions by up to 30 percent.
On April 9, 2019, the first ramp meter was activated at the ramp from northbound US 195 to eastbound I-90.
Since its activation, five more ramp meters have been activated throughout Spokane in 2021. Locations include:
- Walnut/Maple Street to eastbound I-90
- Monroe Street to eastbound I-90
- Browne/Division Street to eastbound I-90
- Browne/Division Street to westbound I-90
- Hamilton Street to eastbound I-90
Several more ramp meters are expected to be activated in 2023 including from eastbound US 2 to eastbound I-90 and from the Geiger/Grove interchange to eastbound I-90.
