Spokane Valley authorizes BUILD application for Sullivan & Trent interchange; several state grant applications also approved

Spokane Valley City Council on Tuesday authorized the city manager to apply for a federal BUILD grant seeking roughly $24.96 million toward the Sullivan & Trent interchange project and approved related state grant applications to advance phases of Barker and Argonne I‑90 interchange work.

Engineering Manager Adam Jackson reminded the council that the project has been a recurring city priority and summarized the application’s intent. "This is a project that regularly shows up as a priority project here at the city and within our region," Jackson said, noting prior administrative review of the grant application.

A member of the public, John Harding, urged caution and asked about the project’s economic impacts during lengthy construction and whether less‑expensive alternatives could achieve safety goals. Council discussion balanced safety and congestion concerns (with support from the trucking industry and public‑safety staff) against business and timing worries raised by council members and public commenters.

Council authorized the BUILD application by a roll‑call vote, 5–1. Council also authorized staff to apply to multiple state funding programs (FIMSIB/FMCIB/NHFP) to pursue design and construction phases of Sullivan & Trent, Barker I‑90 and Argonne I‑90; those motions passed with the same 5–1 tally. Council members asked staff to continue community conversations and to incorporate public feedback into design as work advances.

City Manager John Homan said design is already underway and that comments gathered now can be incorporated into project design. Staff noted that some grant requests would cover nonfederal match requirements if awarded.

Next steps: Staff will submit the BUILD application and will continue preliminary engineering and outreach; if awarded, later phases will require matching funds and additional budgeting decisions by council.