A project to upgrade a sewer line and build a trail near Ridgefield’s junction with Interstate 5 has received support from the Port of Ridgefield, the city and the regional wastewater district.
On June 27, the Port of Ridgefield announced the project. The work will upgrade sewer between South First Circle and South Timm Road, maintain a port-owned stormwater facility, and will include the construction of a new pedestrian trail for nearby businesses and residents.
The project is a collaboration between the port, the city of Ridgefield and the Clark Regional Wastewater District.
“The project is a win-win-win,” Port of Ridgefield CEO Randy Mueller stated in a news release. “By working together, the port, the city and the district are improving our community while saving tax dollars through efficiencies in permitting, environmental requirements, and contracting. We’re very appreciative of our partners and look forward to the successful completion of work later this year.”
Construction by North Cascade Excavating started in June and is expected to be complete in late 2023, the announcement stated. Ridgefield Mayor Jennifer Lindsay said in early 2024, residents will be able to use the new eight-foot wide, 2,000-foot long trail that will run through a green space near the Ridgefield junction with I-5.
“We are appreciative of this partnership and excited to get started on a project that supports our growing community and connects residents and businesses to natural areas,” Lindsay stated in the release.
The project was initially focused on upgrading a sewer trunk line to increase capacity for the junction, Clark Regional Wastewater District Engineering Director Heath Henderson stated in the release.
“When the port and city approached us with their projects, it just made sense to bring them all together into one joint effort to cost-effectively maintain and build our infrastructure,” Henderson said.
He noted the new trail will also allow district crews to perform future maintenance.
The district’s part of the project is estimated to cost $2 million, according to the district’s capital project plan. The port and the city will fund their respective parts of the project, the release stated.
