The city of Richland has kicked off the next phase of improvements at the three-way intersection of George Washington Way, Aaron Drive and Columbia Point Drive and it will be a bit more disruptive than the work that’s already occurring. 

Northbound traffic on George Washington Way may not turn right onto Columbia Point Drive until construction wraps up at the end of November.  

That means drivers wishing to visit the restaurants or stores in the busy WinCo-anchored shopping center will have to take a detour that has them turn right on Comstock Street to the north, then follow Bradley Boulevard and reconnect with Columbia Point Drive. 

Southbound drivers on George Washington Way are still able to turn left onto Columbia Point Drive. 

Improvements at the intersection of George Washington Way and Aaron Drive/Columbia Point Drive began Sept. 2. The intersection is part of 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, driving it every day.  

The city began developing plans to alleviate traffic congestion and improve safety for the intersection in 2019, with federal grants flowing from the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments helping to launch it.  

The improvements also will support the future Downtown Loop project, which will convert sections of George Washington Way and Jadwin Avenue to one-way streets, resulting in northbound traffic on George Washington Way and southbound traffic on Jadwin Avenue. These modifications will improve traffic flow and safety, enhance walkability and bicycle access, and add on-street parking features to the downtown core.  

That project will kick off in spring 2026.