Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2026 on a long-anticipated trail connection linking Spokane’s Fish Lake Trail to the Centennial Trail. The project, estimated at $4.9 million, is slated for completion by fall 2026 and is designed to create a safer, more accessible network for cyclists and pedestrians.
Phase 1 of the work will extend Fish Lake Trail from the Milton Street Trailhead to 5th Avenue, with intersection improvements at Sunset Highway and Government Way. The trail currently runs from West Spokane toward Fish Lake near Cheney, Wash., stopping short of the lake until necessary trail improvements can be completed. Expansion plans include protected left-turn phasing, expanded crosswalks, a new paved path from Thorpe Road to the Fish Lake Trail, and upgrades to the BNSF tunnel with lighting and warning systems.
Phase 2 of the project will continue the extension from Government Way to the Centennial Trail spur at the Sandifur Bridge over the Spokane River. This stage will add a paved segment with lighting, further enhancing trail safety and connectivity. Funding is possible from a mix of federal Transportation Alternatives Program and County Road Program grants, local arterial street funds, and impact fees.
