Pioneer Widening Project Update: December 30

The Pioneer Widening and Discovery Drive Roundabout Project has reached approximately one-third completion. The next phase involves the installation of utilities deep beneath the existing roadway. To expedite this work and minimize overall disruption, the City has approved a consolidated closure of Pioneer Street, scheduled to begin Monday, January 13, and end Tuesday, April 22.

The utility work for the Pioneer Widening project will replace and upgrade the water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure in the area. By consolidating the necessary work into a single closure, the City aims to:

Save time and money by reducing repetitive road closure and re-opening work.
Enhance safety for travelers and construction workers.
Provide predictability for the Ridgefield community by reducing the total number of closures and minimizing flagging in the work area.
Accelerate project completion, allowing Pioneer Street to reopen before the summer travel season and additional businesses near the project area open.

Consolidated Pioneer Street Closure Details

WHAT: Pioneer Street closed to traffic from Discovery Drive to 56^th Place.

WHEN: Monday, January 13 to Tuesday, April 22

DETOUR: Check traffic conditions via navigation map or the City’s live traffic cameras prior to departure to determine your best route. See detour map.

Main Detour: Travel between east and west Ridgefield via S Royle Road, Wells Drive, Timm Road, S 6th Way, and S 56th Place.
Local Business Access: Ridgefield Physical Therapy, Mountain View Dental, and Costco will remain accessible via Discovery Drive or N 56th Place.
Northbound Traffic: Consider traveling on N Royle Road to access the La Center exit of I-5.

To assist travelers, the City will install live traffic cameras in the project area. These cameras will be accessible through a public link at www.RidgefieldWa.us/Traffic starting January 13. Use these resources or navigation apps to identify the best detour route for your needs.

This schedule was selected after careful consideration of the options to minimize the adverse impacts on the Ridgefield community. The planned closure will last 99 calendar days, significantly fewer than the 150+ days estimated if we conducted separate, shorter closures. When the road reopens in April, it will feature a roundabout at Discovery Drive and Pioneer as well as a wider roadway that will accommodate lane shifts in future construction phases. After this closure, the only remaining anticipated Pioneer Street closure will be for final paving, expected to last a few days in the fall.

The Pioneer Widening and Discovery Drive Roundabout Project reflects the City’s commitment to enhancing Ridgefield’s infrastructure to meet current and future community needs. Once completed, the widened roadway will:

Increase traffic capacity and improve flow.
Provide safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
Create a welcoming, tree-lined boulevard at the city’s entrance.

Cross Section Rendering of Pioneer Street after Widening

We understand the challenges that this road closure presents and deeply appreciate the community’s patience and understanding. The City will closely monitor the contractor’s progress and provide regular updates throughout the closure period.

For more information about the Pioneer Widening and Discovery Drive Roundabout Project, visit the project website.

To view and sign up for Traffic Alerts, visit the Road Construction page.