Seven Mile Road Gets a Big Utility Upgrade

The summer heat is great for river walks, but it’s also the time Spokane is boosting its water and sewer lines on Seven Mile Road. The road, which sees about 5,200 cars daily, was shut down last week so the city could extend its main sewer and water system into the nearby Seven Mile area. After the pipes are in place, the whole stretch will be replaced with a new road.

Why this matters
Seven Mile is a key link between Spokane and the county. Closing it was a big deal, forcing drivers to detour via Old Trails or Inland roads until the end of August—adding about a 20‑minute drive to cross the river. The county’s engineering office confirmed there were no other good detour options, so a long detour was unavoidable. The sheriff’s office also helped plan an emergency evacuation route for residents.

The new lines will tie the growing Seven Mile neighborhoods—Sundance Meadows, Seven Mile Addition, Volkman, and Nine Mile—to Spokane’s main sewage system. The project began in 2007 after a study found that a large regional pump would serve the area better than smaller stations. The pump, part of Spokane’s Six‑Year Sewer Program, will handle waste from these communities and keep the system ready for future growth.

Construction required close cooperation between Spokane city (owner of the sewer and water lines) and Spokane County (controller of Seven Mile Road). Similar joint efforts have happened before on other county roads, like the recent work on Hatch Road.

While the road is closed, visitors to Riverside State Park can still enjoy many trailheads. Park officials say there are plenty of alternative paths, so the inconvenience won’t stop people from enjoying the outdoors.