Get details on Richland’s $25M plan to reroute 40,000 daily drivers
The city of Richland will share details of its grand, $25 million plan to reroute some 40,000 drivers each day in a project it calls the “Downtown Loop” at an upcoming community forum.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m., Nov. 13, in the Doris Roberts Gallery Room of the Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive.
City staff will share information about the plan to turn sections of George Washington Way and Jadwin Avenue into one-way only streets, forming a couplet or loop around the central city in a bid to revitalize its core.
A virtual meeting also is planned in early 2026 though details have not been shared.
Plans, which are being finalized, will route northbound traffic coming into Richland onto George Washington Way at Jadwin Avenue on the south end of the city and southbound traffic heading out of town onto Jadwin Avenue via Symons Street at the Uptown Shopping Center.
The move will reduce the overall number of traffic lanes in central Richland, freeing up right-of-way to improve sidewalks, bike lanes and even add some on-street parking in spots where it tends to be in short supply.
Richland leaders say work should begin next spring. The project will take about 18 months to complete.
The loop will affect homes and about 300 businesses, including the Uptown shopping area, the Richland federal building, The Parkway shopping district and stores, hotels and restaurants west of Howard Amon Park.
The city has secured funding commitments from local, state and federal transportation agencies.
- $11.7 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets 4 All program. (December 2023, with revisions in 2025)
- $6 million in city funds via the capital improvement plan. (2021, 2023, 2025 and 2026)
- $3.5 million from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board. (December 2022)
- $2.5 million from the Benton Franklin Council of Governments. (August 2022 and December 2023)
- $1 million from the Washington State Department of Transportation. (January 2024)
- $47,000 from the Washington Department of Ecology’s Water Quality Program to design stormwater upgrades. (November 2024)
The Downtown Loop project is separate from the work being conducted at George Washington Way and Columbia Point Drive/Aaron Drive, which has resulted in the temporary closure of a northbound right turn at Columbia Point.
Go to thedowntownloop.com to find out more.
