Overpass Art

People viewing the art installation on the Rail Overpass.

A series of colorful steel sandhill cranes in different stages of flight will be installed on screening along the overpasses located in downtown Ridgefield and at the Ridgefield exit on I-5. This artwork will serve to visually connect downtown Ridgefield with the growing Ridgefield junction area along the interstate and serve as a unique landmark for those traveling past Ridgefield by car on I-5 and in Downtown.

Project Background

In 2019, WSDOT provided $20,000 for the overpass safety screen design. In 2021, the Pioneer Street Rail Overpass was completed and opened. The overpass created a safe crossing between the downtown and waterfront or vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. Safety screens were included in the construction of the overpass. Financial support for this project also includes a $328,300 Washington State Capital Grant for construction authorized in 2021 and a grant from the Cowlitz Tribal Foundation specifically for the placemaking artwork.

Cranes installed on the Rail Overpass in Downtown Ridgefield.

Google street view of the Pioneer St Overpass crossing I-5 with no screens or unique identifiers. The current overpass on Pioneer St crossing Interstate 5

In 2022, the City Council approved the project and the budget for the project and the City sought out qualified public artists interested in being considered for the project, and able develop a future proposal for the artwork. After review, qualified artists were invited to submit a proposal for art to be attached to screens at both overpasses.

The submitted proposals were reviewed by Council at the regular Council Meeting on Thursday, October 13, 2022. Council selected a proposal with some adjustments. The selected design features sandhill cranes connected to the screens as if they are flying across the length of the overpass. The cranes will extend along the full length of the overpass on both sides, for both overpasses. You can view artist renderings of the design in the Project Photos.

Next Steps

Fabrication of all cranes is complete. The Downtown Rail Overpass crane installation was completed on May 1. The artists are currently working with a city contractor to attach cranes to the protective screens for the I-5 Overpass.

Installation of the screens (with cranes already attached) on the interstate overpass will be completed in May 2025.

A series of colorful steel sandhill cranes in different stages of flight will be installed on screening along the overpasses located in downtown Ridgefield and at the Ridgefield exit on I-5. This artwork will serve to visually connect downtown Ridgefield with the growing Ridgefield junction area along the interstate and serve as a unique landmark for those traveling past Ridgefield by car on I-5 and in Downtown.

Project Background

Cranes installed on the Rail Overpass in Downtown Ridgefield.

Google street view of the Pioneer St Overpass crossing I-5 with no screens or unique identifiers. The current overpass on Pioneer St crossing Interstate 5

Next Steps

Installation of the screens (with cranes already attached) on the interstate overpass will be completed in May 2025.

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