South 35th Avenue Corridor Extension Project

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Aerial image of the study area between the southern portion of S 35th Place and S 10th Way and the red and green alternatives

We are welcoming comments on the preliminary environmental review from residents that missed our first open house. See details below and respond by Friday, April 10, 2026.

We are planning to build a new road from South 10th Way to Pioneer Street so we can accommodate more people walking, biking, and driving in Ridgefield.

In 2025, we began conducting an environmental review of two alternatives, the Red and Green alternatives, to assist in the selection of a locally preferred alternative. The locally preferred alternative will then move forward with National Environmental Policy Act review, permits, and construction. Throughout the process, you’ll have opportunities to review and comment on the designs and environmental findings at community open houses. See the preliminary timeline below and bookmark this page for future project updates!

Project Timeline

Project timeline chart for South 35th Avenue Corridor ExtensionClick to view full size

How did we select the Red and Green Alternatives?

The planning for this roadway extension began nearly 20 years ago because we wanted to plan ahead for the Gee Creek Plateau subarea. In 2017, we worked with the community to prepare the Gee Creek Plateau Subarea Plan that established the vision and future zoning for this area. The subarea plan identified the 35th Avenue extension as a necessary roadway to support future growth in the area.

In early 2023, we began an alternatives analysis to identify different alignments for the roadway. The alternatives analysis included three neighborhood meetings, one-on-one stakeholder interviews, and two public open houses to obtain community feedback. Based on the input and suggestions heard at those meetings, we developed several alignment options for the community to review using the following objectives that also came from community feedback:

  • Minimize impacts to existing properties, communities, natural features, wetlands, oak habitat and fish-bearing streams.
  • Preserve our historic structures and determine additional areas of historic significance.
  • Create a new connection that:
    1. Follows property lines where possible to avoid splitting properties.
    2. Maximizes connectivity for bicycles, cars, and pedestrians, and connects to existing roads and sidewalks.

In 2024, the City Council selected the Red and Green alternatives to move into an environmental review process based on your public comments and our initial assessment of potential impacts and benefits of each alternative.

What is involved in environmental review?

Environmental review for this project will happen in two phases:

  • Phase 1: Preliminary Environmental Review. In early 2026, we finished a preliminary environmental review of the Red and Green alternatives, which includes assessing potential impacts to neighborhoods, traffic, environmental resources such as wetlands and habitat and community concerns. The findings from this phase will help the City Council select a preferred design, also known as the locally preferred alternative.
  • Phase 2: National Environmental Policy Act Review. The City is anticipating the need for federal funding to build this project, which will mean the project is subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NEPA process will be led by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Together, they will review the locally preferred alternative and determine the level of NEPA review required, which could be an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement. Once the level of review is determined, the City will complete environmental analysis of the locally preferred alternative.

When will I have an opportunity to comment?

We held our first community open house on March 9, 2026 where attendees had an opportunity to review and comment on our preliminary assessment of the Red and Green alternatives. We’ll hold more community open houses where you can comment on the locally preferred alternative in early 2027 and the draft environmental document in late 2028 before we move into final design, permitting, property acquisition, and construction. A construction start date will be identified as the project advances.

We are welcoming comments on the preliminary environmental review from residents that missed our first open house. See details below and respond by Friday, April 10, 2026.

We are planning to build a new road from South 10th Way to Pioneer Street so we can accommodate more people walking, biking, and driving in Ridgefield.

In 2025, we began conducting an environmental review of two alternatives, the Red and Green alternatives, to assist in the selection of a locally preferred alternative. The locally preferred alternative will then move forward with National Environmental Policy Act review, permits, and construction. Throughout the process, you’ll have opportunities to review and comment on the designs and environmental findings at community open houses. See the preliminary timeline below and bookmark this page for future project updates!

Project Timeline

Project timeline chart for South 35th Avenue Corridor ExtensionClick to view full size

How did we select the Red and Green Alternatives?

The planning for this roadway extension began nearly 20 years ago because we wanted to plan ahead for the Gee Creek Plateau subarea. In 2017, we worked with the community to prepare the Gee Creek Plateau Subarea Plan that established the vision and future zoning for this area. The subarea plan identified the 35th Avenue extension as a necessary roadway to support future growth in the area.

In early 2023, we began an alternatives analysis to identify different alignments for the roadway. The alternatives analysis included three neighborhood meetings, one-on-one stakeholder interviews, and two public open houses to obtain community feedback. Based on the input and suggestions heard at those meetings, we developed several alignment options for the community to review using the following objectives that also came from community feedback:

  • Minimize impacts to existing properties, communities, natural features, wetlands, oak habitat and fish-bearing streams.
  • Preserve our historic structures and determine additional areas of historic significance.
  • Create a new connection that:
    1. Follows property lines where possible to avoid splitting properties.
    2. Maximizes connectivity for bicycles, cars, and pedestrians, and connects to existing roads and sidewalks.

In 2024, the City Council selected the Red and Green alternatives to move into an environmental review process based on your public comments and our initial assessment of potential impacts and benefits of each alternative.

What is involved in environmental review?

Environmental review for this project will happen in two phases:

  • Phase 1: Preliminary Environmental Review. In early 2026, we finished a preliminary environmental review of the Red and Green alternatives, which includes assessing potential impacts to neighborhoods, traffic, environmental resources such as wetlands and habitat and community concerns. The findings from this phase will help the City Council select a preferred design, also known as the locally preferred alternative.
  • Phase 2: National Environmental Policy Act Review. The City is anticipating the need for federal funding to build this project, which will mean the project is subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NEPA process will be led by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Together, they will review the locally preferred alternative and determine the level of NEPA review required, which could be an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement. Once the level of review is determined, the City will complete environmental analysis of the locally preferred alternative.

When will I have an opportunity to comment?

We held our first community open house on March 9, 2026 where attendees had an opportunity to review and comment on our preliminary assessment of the Red and Green alternatives. We’ll hold more community open houses where you can comment on the locally preferred alternative in early 2027 and the draft environmental document in late 2028 before we move into final design, permitting, property acquisition, and construction. A construction start date will be identified as the project advances.

Submit your comments on the Red and Green Alternatives

Deadline: April 10, 2026

Thank you to everyone who participated in the project open house held on March 9, 2026! For those who were unable to attend, we are sharing the materials that were presented at the event for public review and comment through Friday, April 10th. You can submit your comments below.

Materials available to review include: 

  • Poster boards summarizing key findings from the preliminary traffic and environmental analyses.
  • A project fact sheet that provides an overview of the project purpose, location and next steps. 

We welcome your feedback as the project moves forward. In particular, we invite comments on: 

  • Are there additional issues, opportunities, or considerations we should evaluate? 
  • Do you have comments or questions about the findings presented in the materials? 

Your input will help inform future analysis and project development as the project team works toward selecting a locally preferred alternative. More detailed preliminary traffic and environmental analysis reports, along with a summary of community input, will be shared when available prior to selecting an alternative to move forward.  

Feedback shared during the open house included the following key themes: 

  • Green Alternative: Supporters of the Green Alternative emphasized its more direct I5 access, better alignment with existing roundabouts, potential to reduce congestion on local streets, and perceived ability to serve future growth sooner. It was also viewed as a lowerrisk and more feasible option. 
  • Red Alternative: Supporters of the Red Alternative emphasized improved access for Ridgefield Heights residents, including safer and more direct connections to Pioneer Street, downtown, and emergency services. Several felt it better addresses existing safety concerns, particularly along Bertsinger Road. 
  • Traffic and Safety: Regardless of alternative, community members stressed the need to address current traffic and safety issues on neighborhood streets, with interest in traffic calming, speed management, and pedestrian safety improvements to be included in the new roadway. 
  • Environmental and Neighborhood Impacts: Some participants requested a thorough evaluation of environmental and residential impacts before selecting a preferred alternative, including impacts to wildlife, greenspace, trails, and recently developed neighborhoods. Community members asked that potentially impacted residential properties reflect the most recent development in Ridgefield Heights, including houses that will be built by the time a road is constructed. Community members also emphasized the importance of clear, consistent communication about next steps.
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Page last updated: 30 Mar 2026, 02:42 PM