WSDOT Projects

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Project Facts

• The City of Ridgefield, with support from the Port of Ridgefield, is the lead agency on this project, and has played a significant role in securing funding for its design.
  
  
• This project will improve mobility and safety in the interchange vicinity by widening the bridge over I-5 to two lanes in each direction, increasing turn lane storage, and  controlling access onto and off of SR 501 at the interchange.
  
  
• Project design, environmental analysis and right of way acquisition will be complete in 2009.

Overview
This project will improve safety and mobility by replacing the existing I-5 interchange at SR 501 in Ridgefield, widening SR 501 to two lanes in each direction and adding new turn lanes at the interchange, making improvements to the SR 501/56th Place and 269th Street/65th Avenue  intersections, and adding bike lanes and sidewalks for pedestrian travel.

Why is WSDOT and the city of Ridgefield building this project?
Travel demand in the I-5/SR 501 interchange vicinity for both regional bi-state travel and local access is expected to reach its capacity by 2016. As the volume of traffic using the interchange increases, it will result in congestion during peak travel periods.  Growth in the Ridgefield area has been significant and recent land use changes are likely to add to that growth.

In addition, pedestrian and bicycle connections at the interchange are inadequate. The new interchange will provide safer pedestrian and bicycle movement across I-5.

Our Partners
The City of Ridgefield, with support from the Port of Ridgefield, is the lead agency on this project, and has played a significant role in securing funding for its design. WSDOT is overseeing the design work, environmental analysis, right of way acquisition, and construction administration to ensure it meets state and federal requirements.

The End Result
This project will replace the current interchange at I-5 and SR 501 in Ridgefield with a new interchange; widen SR 501 through the interchange to four travel lanes; add turn lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks for pedestrian travel; and make improvements to the SR 501/56th Place and 269th Street/65th Avenue intersections.

Project Benefits

• Safety: This project will improve safety in the interchange vicinity by widening the bridge over I-5 to two lanes in each direction, increasing turn lane storage, and by controlling access onto and off of SR 501 at the interchange.
• Congestion Relief: Replacing this interchange will improve mobility and provide better access from I-5 to the City of Ridgefield and surrounding Clark County.
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Access: The pedestrian and bicycle connection on SR 501 across I-5 will be improved to provide safer and more efficient access.

What is the project timeline?
In February 2006, design, environmental and right of way processes for this project began. It is estimated that the project design, environmental permitting and right of way acquisition will be complete in 2009. At this time, the project is only partially funded and it will go to construction when fully funded.

Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. An Open House introducing this project occurred on April 11, 2006 at the Union Ridge Elementary School Gymnasium. This event provided an opportunity for WSDOT and the city of Ridgefield to introduce the project to the public, provide information and get the public's feedback on issues to be addressed. The project was on display at five open houses in Battle Ground in 2007. The open houses took place on February 22, March 27, May 9, June 14 and September 26.

This project has been presented at several community meetings. These have included:
-May 17, 2007: Hillhurst Neighborhood Ice Cream Social
-May 21, 2007: Ridgefield Junction Neighborhood Association Meeting
-June 21, 2007: Wishing Wells Neighborhood Ice Cream Social
-August 7, 2007: National Night Out
- In 2007, presentations were given at Osprey Pointe (July 19), Cedar Ridge (Aug. 16) and Heron Ridge (Sept. 20) neighborhood ice cream socials.
-May 5, 2008: Annual Ridgefield Junction Neighborhood Association meeting
-June 11, 2008: Wishing Wells Neighborhood Ice Cream Social
- The project will be on display at various neighborhood "ice cream socials" this summer (2008)

Public involvement efforts have been underway on this project since January 2001 when this interchange was included in the larger I-5/I-205 North Corridor Study and Route Development Plan.

As part of this study, the then current conditions and future needs of the interchange were evaluated and shared with the public along with the rest of the corridor. An extensive public involvement effort was a part of that project, which included stakeholder interviews, a citizen/business advisory committee, mailings to neighbors and interested parties, six open houses, a newspaper insert, press releases and newspaper advertisements. The outcome was a recognized need for future reconstruction of the interchange at I-5 and SR 501, however other projects ranked higher in funding priority. It was decided that an interim improvement project would be the best alternative until a long-term solution and funding became available. The interim project, constructed in 2005, installed two traffic signals on SR 501 at the I-5 interchange on and off ramps; added right turn lanes to both I-5 off ramps and the southbound on ramp; added a left turn lane from SR 501 westbound onto 56th Place just west of I-5; and installed median curbing on SR 501 on the east and west sides of I-5.

Additional public involvement opportunities will occur throughout the design phase for this project. Advance notification about these opportunities will be sent out to area residents, businesses and local media, and posted on this Web page.

For the more information about public involvement opportunities for other WSDOT projects in Southwest Washington, visit to the SW Region's Public Involvement page.

Environmental Protection
WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from our projects. A detailed analysis of the project’s environmental impacts has been completed. An appropriate plan for mitigation is being developed and documented as part of the environmental documentation and environmental permitting processes. Additional information will be posted on this Web page as the environmental work progresses.

For environmental information specific to this project, please contact Erin Gardner at (360) 905-2185, or e-mail GARDNEE@wsdot.wa.gov. 

Please visit the WSDOT Environmental Services Web site for more information.

Increasing safety is one of our priorities
This project will improve safety in the interchange vicinity by reconstructing the bridge over I-5, increasing turn lane storage, and by controlling access onto and off of SR 501 at the interchange.

Will this project impact tribal resources?
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.

Financial Information

• 2005 Transportation Partnership Funding 
 (2005 Gas Tax) - $13 Million
• Other Agency Funds - $11 Million - These funds are provided by the State from an Economic Development grant, and a federal SAFETEA-LU earmark obtained by the City and Port of Ridgefield.
• Total Funding Available from all sources - $24 Million
• Unfunded Amount Remaining
(Additional Funding Needed) - $20-23 Million

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Manager Mike Clark
WSDOT Southwest Region 
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-2110
E-mail: clarkM@wsdot.wa.gov

or

Communications Manager Sylvia Ross 
WSDOT Southwest Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-2058
E-mail: RossSy@wsdot.wa.gov

or access our project feedback form.

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