West Richland celebrated the completion of its new $2.2 million Yakima River Gateway project this month. 

The work improves the entrance to the city of West Richland, with community access to paved trails, riverfront park and river access. It added vehicle parking and non-motorized water access to the river for those who want to float, kayak and swim in it. 

The project created a new city park and includes an accessible bathroom structure, with a 53-stall parking lot, trash enclosure, stormwater treatment pond and an accessible entrance to the Yakima River south of the bridge. 

A trail under the bridge connects the south side of the project to the north along the Yakima River. The north side provides non-motorized river access, as well as picnic and fishing areas, adjacent to the bridge.   

New bridge and parking lot lighting, interpretive signs, city entrance sign and landscaping also were installed. Along the northern trail is an overlook structure with park benches and bike racks and landscaping throughout.  

The general contractor was Moreno & Nelson of Walla Walla. Project manager was Aaron Grimm of Moreno & Nelson. 

The consulting company who completed the design of the project was MacKay & Sposito with project manager Bryan Cole based in Kenenwick. 

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the project was Nov. 1.