RICHLAND, Wash. – City officials discussed the Downtown Loop Project at a community meeting on Nov. 13, which aims to enhance the downtown area by improving traffic flow and making roads safer.
George Washington Way and Jadwin Avenue will each be transformed into one-way streets with three lanes and bike lanes in each direction. The project also includes wider sidewalks, better lighting and more spaces for public art and landscaping.
“Really, what we’re doing is just creating a downtown that people want to be in,” City of Richland Public Works Director Carlo D’Alessandro said. “This is one of the best examples of the significant investment being put into downtown.”
The speed limit in the downtown area will be reduced to 25 miles per hour. The project is currently about 90 percent through the design phase, with construction expected to start in spring next year.
“Generally, it will take about 18 months to get this project done. So it’ll span over two years. Not all two years in one spot. It’s a long corridor on two different streets. So we’ll be moving along the road doing our improvements at different spots at different times of the year,” D’Alessandro said.
Jadwin and George Washington Way will remain open during construction, though there will be occasional lane closures and detours. The city assures that business access will be maintained throughout the construction period.
The estimated cost of the project is about $22.7 million. However, the city has secured significant federal and state funding to support the project.
Currently, the project is expected to be completed in the fall or winter of 2027. The next project meeting is scheduled for January to discuss the updated construction timeline.
More information about the project can be found here.
