Ironman race returns to Tri-Cities. Here’s which roads will be closed
After a successful launch in 2024, the Ironman 70.3 triathlon is returning to Tri-Cities.
The race on Sunday, Sept. 21, is expected to bring thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to the Tri-Cities economy, according to Visit Tri-Cities.
It’s also expected to bring massive traffic impacts.
The first Tri-Cities Ironman triathlon resulted in hours of traffic delays and congestion, particularly in Richland. Complaints rolled in from local residents.
Organizers vowed to improve these impacts in following years. So how will the 2025 Ironman race affect Tri-Cities drivers?
What is the Ironman triathlon? Where is the 2025 route in Tri-Cities?
The Ironman 70.3 is a triathlon featuring swimming, biking and running components.
Competitors begin with a 1.2-mile swim in the Columbia River, starting at Howard Amon Park in Richland near the Lee Boulevard Boat Dock and continuing through Columbia Point Marina Park, according to the event website.
That’s followed by a 56-mile bicycle ride through Benton County.
From Columbia Point Park, cyclists will head down George Washington Way, taking Spengler Street to Stevens Drive and connecting with the Bypass Highway until Duportail Street.
From there, cyclists will take Queensgate Drive to Kennedy Road, then turn onto Keene Road. The route connects back with Queensgate Drive through to Bermuda Road, turning onto Sagebrush Road.
The route turns onto Cottonwood Drive, continuing until Badger Road, which cyclists will take near Benton City. They’ll get onto Webber Canyon Road and turn onto Jacobs Road through south Badger Mountain, where they’ll turn onto Dallas Road.
This will take competitors back to Keene Road, headed the other direction until Belmont Boulevard.
Cyclists will take Paradise Way to Bombing Range Road, connect with Van Giesen Street, then loop back to the Bypass Highway and take Snyder Road to get back on George Washington Way and return to Columbia Point Park.
The course ends with a 13.1-mile out-and-back run along the river.
Competitors will head out on Columbia Point Drive, get to the Riverfront Trail and run to Washington State University’s Tri-Cities campus before heading back the way they came.
When can Tri-Cities drivers expect traffic delays?
According to Visit Tri-Cities, drivers will see traffic impacts between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Local road closures are expected to last through about 1 p.m.
The bike portion is expected to have a particularly heavy impact. But the areas affected by this portion will utilize rolling closures.
“Think of it like a wave passing through (a big wave),” the local tourism center said. “Roads reopen shortly after the last cyclist pedals past each section, so you won’t be stuck forever!”
Some roads will be closed entirely, while others will have restricted travel with flaggers directing traffic between waves of competitors.
What Richland roads will be closed for Tri-Cities Ironman?
Ironman competitors grab their bikes — and later drop them off — at Columbia Point Park, so Columbia Point Drive will be closed to through traffic from 6:50 a.m. to around 1 p.m. Sunday.
Only event vendors, VIPs and employees with valid credentials will have access, according to Visit Tri-Cities. All other vehicles will be turned around at the Bradley Boulevard intersection.
George Washington Way will remain open to traffic headed north and south, but riverside traffic will see some closures between 6:50 a.m. and around 1 p.m. as cyclists head in and out.
According to Visit Tri-Cities, drivers should expect closures at the following streets:
- Newton Street
- Guyer Avenue
- Gowen Avenue to the south (North exit will remain open with a flagger)
- Hains Avenue
- Haupt Avenue
- Hunt Avenue
- Davison Avenue
- Waldron Street
- Howell Avenue
- Wordrop Street
- McMurray Street
- Newcomer Street
- Catskill Street
- Fuller Street
- Franklin Street
- Saint Street
- Scot Street
- Shaw Street
- Sierra Street
- Snyder Street
How can I get around Richland street closures during race?
To leave these streets during the race, you’ll need to use Jadwin Avenue, Lee Boulevard or Van Giesen Street.
Police will be stationed at each street to let vehicles through gaps of competitors, but lengthy delays should be expected, according to Visit Tri-Cities.
There will be no left turns onto Symons Street headed north and no vehicle access to Symons Park.
While the Bypass Highway will remain open with one lane closed, there will be some connected closures.
The west side of Snyder Street will be closed from the highway, and the Stevens Drive south ramp will be closed. You should cross to Jadwin Avenue instead.
Riverside Drive will also be closed.
Left turns blocked at Spengler Road
According to Visit Tri-Cities, drivers will not be able to turn left onto Spengler Road from the following streets:
- Argon Lane
- Compton Lane
- Cosmic Lane
- Log Lane
- Nuclear Lane
- Proton Lane
- Mercury Drive
- Hood Avenue
- Carriage Avenue
- George Washington Way (no right turns to Spengler either)
Where is parking prohibited during the Tri-Cities Ironman?
No parking will be permitted on Spengler Road between George Washington Way and Stevens Drive during Sunday’s Ironman competition.
Violators will be towed, according to Visit Tri-Cities.
Where can I expect traffic delays during the Tri-Cities Ironman?
You can expect traffic delays on Spengler Road between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Off the Bypass Highway, several streets will be open with flaggers. Drivers should expect slow-moving traffic at:
- Saint Street
- Jadwin Ave.
- Stevens Drive
- Airport Way
- Van Giesen Street
- Tanglewood Drive
- Riverpoint Apartments
Which West Richland roads will be closed for Ironman?
Road closures are expected to impact West Richland between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday, according to Visit Tri-Cities.
The Bombing Range Road section of Eastern Lakes will only be open for residents, with no through traffic permitted on Twin Lake Court, Westlake Drive or Silverlake Court.
Keene Road will be closed between Bombing Range Road and Belmont Blvd.
The following roads in West Richland will also be closed:
- West Lattin Road (through Keene Road)
- Hickory Avenue
- Belmont Boulevard
- Timberline Drive
- Kona Drive
- Kilawea Drive
- Blackwood Street
- Sunshine Avenue
- Maplewood Avenue
- Ala Moana Way
- Blue Heron Boulevard
- Eagle Street
- Austin Drive
Where will roads be blocked to traffic in Kennewick?
In Kennewick, Hillview Drive and Kase Boulevard will be closed at Cottonwood Drive. Residents will need to detour using Cottonwood Springs.
Those living around northeast East Jacobs Road should use Pear Drive to get in and out of the neighborhood.
Where else can I expect delays in Benton County?
In West Richland, South Highlands Boulevard will stay open, but no left or right turns will be permitted. Flaggers will guide drivers across Keene Road.
Paradise Way will have single lanes open headed east and west between Belmont and Bombing Range Road.
Bombing Range Road will have one lane open in each direction, but Visit Tri-Cities recommends avoiding the road if possible.
Flaggers will be at Norma Street and West Everett Street.
Van Giesen will stay open in both directions, but drivers should expect delays, according to Visit Tri-Cities.
Flaggers or troopers will be stationed at South 40th Avenue and South 41st Avenue.
Need help getting around Tri-Cities? Call race day hotline
Visit Tri-Cities has a hotline to help local drivers get around on race day. Call 509-713-2742 for assistance.