Pioneer Widening Project Update: Traffic Management for Costco Opening and Upcoming Detour Routes
The City of Ridgefield has continued to work diligently with contractors, suppliers and regulatory agencies to move the Pioneer Widening and 50th Place Roundabout project forward. The City has secured all required permits from State and Federal reviewing agencies, and construction is underway.
Through coordination with the contractor and other agencies, we are adapting our phase 1 construction plans to assure the best secondary access point to and through the Costco development area and most effective detour route and schedule. The project team is also working with Costco on their required traffic management measures to minimize disruptions for residents and businesses during Costco’s opening weekend. Finally, the project team set a date for the first of two planned Pioneer Street complete road closures to install major culverts on a weekend when traffic volumes will be the lowest. Each of the closures is anticipated to occur over a weekend and last up to three days.
Traffic Management
When the Ridgefield Costco opens on Thursday, August 29 there will be two routes between Pioneer Street and Costco, one on N 56th Place and one on N 53rd Place and Pioneer Canyon Drive. To manage traffic flow, the City has arranged for the installation of a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of 53rd Place and Pioneer Street. This signal will allow full turns from all directions and will be operational by the time Costco opens, serving as the primary access point for traffic approaching from the west along Pioneer Street. It will be remotely monitored and managed in order to respond and optimize signal timing according to real time conditions.
Ridgefield Police, Ridgefield Public Works, Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue, Washington State Patrol, and Washington State Department of Transportation have continued to meet with the Costco project team to develop a traffic management plan for the opening day and week of Costco’s grand opening. The plan includes the portable traffic signal, additional signage, traffic flaggers, increased monitoring, emergency access plans, and inter-agency and public communications. Residents should expect increased traffic along Pioneer Street and at the I-5 interchange on Costco’s opening day and weekend. If backups begin to form, our team will be ready to respond. Those traveling through on Pioneer may want to consider alternate routes that Thursday and Friday.
Pioneer Street Detour
UPDATE 9/6/2024: This closure has been cancelled. For up to date traffic alerts, visit https://ridgefieldwa.us/220/Road-Construction-Traffic-Impacts
The first closure of Pioneer Street for the Pioneer Widening and 50th Place Roundabout project will take place between Friday evening, September 13 and early Monday morning, September 16. This will be a complete closure of Pioneer Street between S 47th Avenue to N 53rd Place, to allow the contractors to install a major stream culvert east of 47th Avenue.
A detour route will be in place along S Royle Road, Wells Drive, Timm Road, S 6th Way and S 56th Place. Drivers are also encouraged to choose an appropriate detour for their destination, for example if you are headed to La Center, consider heading north on Royle Road. Please remember to drive the appropriate speed through detours and always keep an eye out for pedestrians, cyclists and others sharing the roadway.
N 53rd Place will remain open throughout the mid-September closure, maintaining two ways in and out of the Ridgefield Costco. This closure has been scheduled on a non-peak weekend to minimize impacts on travelers.
Pioneer Street Closure for Culvert Installation:
- Date: Friday Evening, September 13 to Early Monday Morning, September 16
- Details: Pioneer Street will be closed for two days between S 47th Avenue and N 53rd Place for installation of a major stream culvert.
- Detour: S Royle Road to Wells Drive, north on Timm Road to S 6th Way and north on 56th Place to connect back with Pioneer Street.
The second planned closure of Pioneer Street will be scheduled for mid-October. Additional details for the second closure will be publicized at least two weeks prior.
We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we work to improve traffic capacity and flow along our highest traffic route. These efforts are crucial to enhance the overall traffic flow and safety for all residents and visitors.
For more information and updates, please visit the Pioneer Widening and 50th Place project page www.RidgefieldRoundtable.org/i5-to-royle-road
To view and sign up for Traffic Alerts, visit www.RidgefieldWa.us/220/Road-Construction-Traffic-Impacts
