Traffic Alert: Chick-fil-A opening, pickleball event expected to cause backups
The grand opening of the Tri-Cities’ first Chick-fil-A could cause traffic impacts in Kennewick for days or even weeks.
The backups could get particularly bad this weekend as one of the state’s largest pickleball tournaments is also taking place just a few blocks away at Lawrence Scott Park.
Kennewick police are asking drivers headed to Chick-fil-A to use only the Young Street entrance to the shopping center in order to free up traffic for shoppers along Crosswind Boulevard to the east near the Wendy’s.
While the restaurant is situated within the shopping center parking lot, initial traffic may back up onto nearby roadways.
Depending on how busy Chick-fil-A gets, Kennewick police anticipate managing the flow of traffic out of the shopping center, down Young Street and in the farthest right eastbound lane along Canal Drive. The westbound turn lanes on Canal near the shopping centers could also see backups.
Only guests planning to dine in the restaurant or picking up for third-party apps, such as Uber Eats, should use the entrance next to the restaurant to get into the parking lot.
Chick-fil-A will be working to manage traffic in the parking lot, dividing its drive-through lines up between regular orders and mobile orders. Employees will be working the lines of cars, taking orders.
Mobile orders can be placed through the Chick-fil-A app. The app offers ordering options for the drive-through lane for mobile, carry out pickup and curbside ordering in designated spots.
The app also has a full menu for customers who want to browse it in advance.
Guests will then exit onto Canal heading east.
Chick-fil-A opens at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday. Hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.
Drivers also will want to be mindful of the Summer Classic pickleball tournament Thursday through Sunday just down the street off Canal Drive.
Organizers anticipate the tournament will be the largest in the state on outdoor permanent, dedicated courts. It’s expected to bring about $200,000 of economic activity to the area. Lawrence Scott Park features 15 pickleball courts with a picnic shelter and bathrooms.
The park is just east of shopping centers on Canal with parking lot entrances off Kellogg Street and West Quinault Avenue.
This story was originally published June 18, 2025 at 11:25 AM.
