Washington state transportation officials are holding another public workshop on Thursday, Jan. 22, as part of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) ongoing community-conversation series tied to the North Spokane Corridor’s long-planned “final connection” to Interstate 90.

The meeting—described by WSDOT as the third session in the current series—starts at 5 p.m. at Frances Scott Elementary (Multipurpose Room), 3737 E. Fifth Ave., Spokane. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Attendees can also join virtually via Microsoft Teams. WSDOT says the session will begin with a brief presentation, followed by a workshop format where people can review concepts and give feedback.

WSDOT’s Jan. 22 workshop is framed less as a debate over whether to build the final I-90 connection, and more as a discussion about what community “connects and placemaking” improvements should accompany it—especially in areas expected to see construction impacts and long-term changes in travel patterns.

What WSDOT says is on the agenda

According to WSDOT’s Jan. 20 announcement, this session’s workshop topics include possible tree plantings, enhanced stormwater swales, “visual levels of service,” and architectural hardscaping focused on the East Central Neighborhood and Spokane Valley. WSDOT also notes that a complimentary pizza dinner will be available, along with a children’s activity area (but no supervisor will be provided).

WSDOT’s announcement: https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2026/third-community-conversation-north-spokane-corridor-scheduled-thursday-jan-22

Why this matters for Southwest Washington readers

Even though the North Spokane Corridor is on the opposite side of the state, WSDOT’s approach—inviting public comment on freeway-adjacent “community improvements” after major alignment decisions and funding frameworks are already in place—is a model that tends to repeat in Washington transportation megaprojects.

For communities like Longview and Kelso, where state highway decisions can shape air quality, safety, local business access, and neighborhood cohesion for decades, Spokane’s process is a reminder that “engagement” often happens in phases: early decisions can set the direction, while later meetings focus on mitigation, design details, and how people move through the changed landscape.

WSDOT’s project page describing the final connection as three projects with anticipated construction beginning in 2027 and completion in the early 2030s: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/us-395-nsc-i-90-connection

How to participate

WSDOT says the Jan. 22 meeting can be attended in person at Frances Scott Elementary or virtually via Microsoft Teams (details and links are provided through WSDOT’s North Spokane Corridor engagement pages). The agency also points to free Wi-Fi locations in Spokane for people who want to join online.

WSDOT has said additional community-conversation sessions are planned monthly through April 2026.

Sources