A proposed roundabout at the intersection of Highway 503 (also known as SW 10th Avenue) and SW Rasmussen Boulevard faced a wave of public criticism after signage announced a pending environmental review.
The application for the roundabout was submitted to the city of Battle Ground on March 27 by AKS Engineering, the same firm behind the design of the nearby BG Commercial West site plan. The proposed commercial project, situated directly southeast of the current intersection, comprises two large buildings featuring a mix of retail and warehouse space, which may lead to increased traffic in the area if constructed.
Currently, the intersection only serves northbound traffic on Highway 503. Concrete barriers installed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) prevent southbound drivers from turning onto Rasmussen Road or crossing the highway at that location.
On May 22, local Jd Dietz posted a photo of the project notification sign to a community Facebook group, writing:
“Not sure if this has previously been discussed, but I just noticed this sign a few days ago. Apparently, there’s a proposed roundabout on 503 where Rasmussen connects. I’m not generally opposed to roundabouts, but this seems like an odd location.”
The post quickly generated nearly 100 comments, with most expressing frustration, skepticism or outright opposition.
“This is a terrible idea. Use that money to fix what needs fixing before adding to it,” Jonny Huston commented.
“The unspoken objective of the roundabout, is to slow down traffic, which it accomplishes very well!!” Elwood Suggins wrote.
Some voiced broader concerns about development trends in the region.
“I can’t imagine what the Greater Portland/Vancouver/Ridgefield area is going to look like in 20 years,” Logan Ward wrote. “Likely zero green areas and nothing but apartment complexes and an endless string of interconnected roundabouts as far as the eye can see.”
Others acknowledged potential benefits, particularly regarding easier access for southbound drivers.
“I wish it was a light, but it will be nice to be able to go south from the Rasmussen-503 intersection since I live there,” Sarah Haynes wrote.
“Needs to be a light so they can turn me it properly with the light at main to prevent backups,” Carl Eshelman added.
Some commenters defended the proposal. Kerri Hartell noted that although there are no plans to extend Rasmussen Boulevard west of the intersection, a roundabout would reduce the need for further traffic signal construction if added.
“I know that people here love to hate on traffic circles, but really, they are a lot more streamline than signal-controlled intersections are. It’s the ignorant drivers that are the problem,” she added.
According to Alisha Smith, the city’s communications manager, the roundabout proposal is currently undergoing a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review by the city’s community development department.
“This isn’t a capital improvement project like the one for 503 and Onsdorff Boulevard,” Smith said. “This one is a little bit different… the application was a private developer. And we are reviewing it from an environmental impact standpoint.”
Smith said the proposal has not yet been submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), which would be the next agency to review and potentially approve the intersection changes.
Smith also cautioned that the notification signs do not guarantee the project.
“People are seeing a sign out there that says proposed roundabout and they’re thinking roundabout is coming, where that’s not necessarily the case,” she said. “It’s just the notification that an application has come in.”
The public comment period for the SEPA review closed on May 14. Currently, there is no set timeline for when a decision will be made.
If the nearby BG Commercial West project moves forward, it could further increase traffic in the area. That proposal includes two structures with farm-store-style features such as bulk soil, propane and hay storage, as well as more than 40,000 square feet of combined retail and warehouse space. The project has not seen any updates since its pre-application review concluded in May 2024.
Readers can review The Reflector’s previous coverage of the plan at thereflector.com/stories/tractor-supply-groundbreaking-sparks-renewed-commercial-growth-in-battle-ground,377445.
