The Ridgefield City Council voted unanimously Monday night, June 23, to award a $275,000 contract to consultant Kittelson and Associates to lead the next planning phase for a long-anticipated transportation connection linking south Ridgefield to Interstate 5.
In 2019, the city received funding from the Washington state Legislature to study possible corridor routes. That study, launched in 2021, concluded with an analysis of seven alternatives. The findings, which highlighted the need for additional funding to proceed with route selection, environmental review and preliminary design, were presented to both the Ridgefield and Clark County councils in late 2023.
This phase, known as Stage 2, focuses on refining possible routes and selecting a preliminary locally preferred alternative. It also includes early environmental analysis and public engagement.
“This is the award for the next stage contract for the South Connector planning process,” Public Works Director Chuck Green explained during his presentation. “This phase will take it to a preliminary locally preferred alternative and then recommend some ways to look for money to get us into the next set of phases.”
The future connection would run from Northwest Hillhurst Road and Northwest 31st Avenue to the existing I-5 interchange at NW 219th Street (state Route 502). While the City of Ridgefield is leading the effort, most of the potential routes are within unincorporated Clark County, making intergovernmental cooperation essential.
“We do have partnerships with Clark County and WSDOT on this because most of the study area is in unincorporated Clark County,” Green said.
Kittelson and Associates was selected from two competing teams after an interview process overseen by WSDOT. The contract includes an additional $10,000 contingency, bringing the total possible cost to $285,000.
A federal grant administered by the Regional Transportation Council will cover approximately 86.5% of the cost. The City of Ridgefield will fund the remaining amount as a local match.
Councilor Rian Davis asked how decisions will be made if the project area is mostly outside Ridgefield’s city limits. Green explained the final decision on which version of the project moves forward will involve both Ridgefield and Clark County elected bodies.
“The anticipation is ... There will be a joint city-county council work session at the end,” Green said. “Each council will then be asked to make their own preliminary locally preferred alternative selection.”
That means both the Ridgefield City Council and the Clark County Council will review the consultant’s analysis, weigh public input and select their preferred alternative.
“We’re hoping that by the time that wrap-up study session comes to fruition ... there’s consensus around an alternative,” Green added.
