Richland kicks off overhaul of major intersection
Richland begins construction Sept. 2 on improvements to the intersection of George Washington Way and Aaron Drive/Columbia Point Drive, one of the busiest and most congested intersections in the Tri-Cities. The project is expected to be completed in November 2025.
Courtesy city of RichlandIf you think traffic at the south end of Richland’s George Washington Way is already too stressful, it’s about to get worse before it gets better.
Improvements at the intersection of George Washington Way and Aaron Drive/Columbia Point Drive begin Sept. 2, according to a release from the city of Richland. That’s when contractor Ellison Earthworks will begin work on the west side of George Washington Way, eliminating the parking lane up to Benham Street.
“This intersection is a vital gateway to Richland and our region,” said city manager Jon Amundson in a statement. “These improvements represent years of planning and collaboration to ensure safer, more efficient travel for our community. In addition, these improvements will play a key role to the success of our upcoming downtown loop project.”
Construction is expected to wrap up in late November 2025. The intersection will remain open through construction, though lane closures will be needed to complete the work. In addition to limiting parking on George Washington Way between Benham and Comstock streets, all roadside parking south of Benham will be eliminated as part of the project.
George Washington Way is one of the busiest traffic corridors in the Tri-Cities, with thousands of workers, many employed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory or Hanford site contractors, traveling it every day. That’s led to severe traffic congestion, collisions and risks for pedestrians and cyclists.
The city began developing plans for the intersection in 2019, with federal grants flowing from the Benton Franklin Council of Governments helping to launch it. The state Department of Transportation and Ben Franklin Transit have provided input on the project along with the council and the general public.
Updates to the intersection include:
- Addition of a southbound lane on George Washington Way.
- Additional left turn from westbound Columbia Point Drive to southbound Highway 240.
- New traffic and pedestrian signals.
- Removal of crosswalk islands.
- New ADA-accessible sidewalk ramps.
- Widening of the sidewalk between Benham Street and Aaron Drive.
- Sidewalk connection to the Columbia Point neighborhood along the north side of Columbia Point Drive.
