More Traffic Impacts Scheduled This Week For South George Washington Way Intersection Project - 11/10/25

The City of Richland advises motorists of significant traffic impacts occurring this week as part of the South George Washington Way (GWW) Intersection Project. Crews will be completing critical work necessary to advance the installation of new traffic signal infrastructure.

Daytime Lane Closures: Tuesday, November 11 and Wednesday, November 12
Between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on both days, the following traffic adjustments will be in place:

• The northbound GWW left-turn lane onto Aaron/Adams will be closed.
• The inside southbound lane of GWW will be closed to accommodate removal and replacement of the dual-faced traffic curbing south of the intersection.
• Aaron Drive will remain open, as will the southbound left turn onto Columbia Point Drive.
• Columbia Point Drive westbound onto GWW will be reduced to one lane.
• Aaron Drive detour: Comstock Street to Goethals Drive.

Drivers should plan for delays, reduce speeds in the work zone, and follow posted detours.

Overnight Work: Wednesday, November 12

From 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., the GWW/Columbia Point Drive intersection will be periodically controlled by flaggers. This is necessary to safely install new traffic signal arms. Short delays should be expected.

The City appreciates the public’s patience as construction continues on these important safety and traffic flow improvements. For project updates, visit richlandwa.gov/SouthGWay.

City Of Richland Facilities Closed November 11 In Observance Of Veterans Day - 11/10/25

All City of Richland facilities will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. This includes City Hall, the Richland Community Center, the Richland Public Library, the Horn Rapids Landfill, and all administrative offices.

Essential services such as police, fire, and emergency response will remain fully operational.

Garbage collection will continue as scheduled.

Regular business hours will resume on Wednesday, November 12.

The City of Richland encourages the community to take a moment to honor and thank the veterans who have served our country with dedication and sacrifice.

For more information, visit richlandwa.gov.

City Of Richland Planning Commission To Host Comprehensive Plan Open House On November 12 - 11/07/25

The City of Richland invites community members to participate in a special Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, dedicated entirely to the Comprehensive Plan update. In place of the Commission’s standard format, this meeting will be held in an open-house style to encourage broader engagement and discussion.

The Comprehensive Plan is the community’s long-range roadmap for growth, transportation, housing, land use, economic development, public facilities, and more. This early phase of the project is focused on gathering public input to help shape key discussion topics.

“Updating the Comprehensive Plan is a community-driven process,” said Mike Stevens, Planning Manager. “We want to hear from residents, business owners, students, workers, and anyone with a stake in Richland’s future.”

Event Format

The meeting begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. with a short presentation led by the City’s consultant, AHBL, followed by a 20–30-minute large-group Q&A. This portion will be broadcast live on Richland’s CityViewTV and recorded.

Afterward, attendees may visit topic stations facilitated by project staff to explore specific issues, ask questions, and provide feedback in a more interactive setting.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Richland City Hall Council Chambers, 625 Swift Blvd., Richland, WA  99352

The Comprehensive Plan Survey remains open through November 14, 2025. More information is available by visiting RichlandWA.gov/CompPlan.

City Of Richland Hosts Community Meeting On Little Badger Mountain Loop Trail Project - 11/05/25

The City of Richland wants to remind residents they are invited to attend a community meeting on Thursday, November 6, 2025, to learn more about the upcoming Little Badger Mountain Loop Trail Project. The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Richland Community Center - Meeting Room, located at 500 Amon Park Drive, Richland, WA 99352.

As envisioned in the City’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, the Little Badger Mountain Loop Trail project at Queensgate Drive will feature a natural interpretive loop, a trailhead parking area, and a future Gage Road extension.

During the meeting, project staff will provide a brief presentation outlining the project’s background and next steps, followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and share feedback.

Community participation is encouraged as the City continues to expand its network of trails and open spaces that connect residents to Richland’s natural landscape.

For more information about the meeting or the Little Badger Mountain Loop Trail project, visit www.richandparksandrec.com or contact the Richland Community Center at 509-942-7529.

Temporary Lane And Intersection Closures Scheduled Thursday For South George Washington Way Improvements Project (Photo) - 11/04/25

On Thursday, November 6, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the contractor for the South George Washington Way Improvements Project will close the outside (west side) southbound lane of George Washington Way, as well as the west leg of the intersection at Aaron Drive / Adams Street, to accommodate necessary asphalt patching.

During this time:

• The west leg of Aaron Drive / Adams Street will be closed.
• Southbound traffic on George Washington Way will be reduced to one lane.
• The northbound left turn lane into Aaron Drive will also be closed.
• Detour: Access to Aaron Drive will be maintained via Goethals Drive and Comstock Street, following the same detour route implemented earlier this week during the previous Aaron Drive closure.

The southbound lane closure is consistent with periodic closures that have occurred throughout the duration of this project.

Motorists are encouraged to follow posted detour signs, use caution in the construction zone, and allow for extra travel time.

For more information visit richlandwa.gov/SouthGWay.

City Of Richland Opens Applications For Business License Reserve Fund Grant Program - 10/30/25

The City of Richland will be accepting applications for the Business License Reserve Fund Grant Program November 3 – 14, 2025. This annual program reinvests a portion of the City’s business license revenue into projects that strengthen the local economy, encourage tourism, and enhance the overall business environment.

The Business License Reserve Fund supports initiatives that promote:

• Core development and general economic growth
• Tourism and community improvements
• Prevention of blight
• Small business development programs within Richland

Each year, the City reserves 18% of its business license revenue for reinvestment through this grant program. Funding is awarded to eligible organizations for projects that directly benefit the Richland business community.

Eligible applicants include:

• Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Visit Tri-Cities
• Richland Chamber of Commerce
• SCORE Mid-Columbia
• Small Business Development Center
• Business Improvement Districts (Uptown and Downtown/The Parkway)
• Commercial Façade Improvement Program
• Other entities as deemed eligible by the Economic Development Committee

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on November 14, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. The Economic Development Committee will review eligible submissions on December 1, 2025, and recommendations will be presented to the Richland City Council by the end of the year for approval. Funding awards will be announced by the end of January 2026.

Grant recipients are required to use funds by December 31 of the award year, with reimbursement requests submitted throughout the year.

For program guidelines, eligibility details, and the application form, visit www.richlandbusiness.com/blrf or contact the City’s Business and Economic Development Office at (509) 942-7583 or info@richlandbusiness.com.

Traffic Impacts Expected Next Week For South George Washington Way Intersection Improvements (Photo) - 10/24/25

On Monday, October 27, the City of Richland will start the next phase of work on the South George Washington Way (GWW) Intersection Project. This phase includes the installation of underground conduits to support a new traffic signal system. The work will require temporary lane reductions and short-term street closures at key points around the intersection of George Washington Way, Aaron Drive, and Columbia Point Drive.

Crews will be working in stages to minimize impacts and maintain access to nearby businesses.

Traffic Schedule and Detours

Monday, October 27 – Columbia Point Drive Closure

• Start: 5:00 a.m.
• Location: Columbia Point Drive closed at George Washington Way
• Access: Businesses along Columbia Point Drive will remain open via the east from Bradley Blvd.
• Detour: Comstock Street to Bradley Boulevard for both inbound and outbound traffic.
• Expected Reopening: By 10:00 a.m.

Monday, October 27 – Aaron Drive Closure

• Start: Approximately 10:00 a.m.
• Location: Aaron Drive (Adams) closed at George Washington Way
• Detour: Goethals Drive to Comstock Street back to George Washington Way.
• Expected Reopening: By 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 28 – Lane Reductions on George Washington Way

• Start: 6:00 a.m.
• Location: Southbound GWW at the Aaron Drive/Columbia Point Drive intersection reduced to one lane.
  • Access to Columbia Point Drive from the southbound turn lane will be closed.
• Mid-Morning: Northbound GWW reduced to one lane.
• Expected Reopenings:
  • Southbound lanes by early afternoon.
  • Northbound lanes by 4:00 p.m. or once conduit crossings are complete.

Motorists should expect brief delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes where possible. Electronic reader boards have been placed along George Washington Way to alert drivers of the upcoming work and lane restrictions.

The City appreciates the community’s patience as this important infrastructure upgrade is completed. Once finished, the new signal system will improve safety, traffic flow, and accessibility through one of Richland’s busiest intersections.

For more information and updated detour maps, visit richlandwa.gov/SouthGWay.

Dallas Road Roundabouts Project Enters Final 2025 Construction Phase - 10/24/25

The City of Richland is pleased to share an update on the Dallas Road Roundabouts Project. During the week of October 27, 2025, the contractor will complete paving work between Trowbridge Boulevard and Ava Way, marking a major milestone in the project’s progress. This phase will complete three of the four legs of both the Dallas Rd. & Trowbridge Blvd. and Dallas Rd. & Ava Way roundabouts.

Following the paving and striping work, crews will begin constructing a splitter island along Ava Way between Dallas Road and Gateway Avenue. During this time, Ava Way will be closed between Dallas Rd. and Gateway Ave. for approximately two to three weeks, with traffic detoured via Trowbridge Blvd. Both intersections will continue to operate as active roundabouts during this phase.

Once the Ava Way work is complete, construction will pause for the winter months due to anticipated cold temperatures. During this time, Dallas Road and both intersections will remain open to traffic under new roundabout conditions. Construction activities within the roadway are expected to resume in early spring 2026, weather permitting.

The City reminds drivers to travel carefully through the area and to anticipate minor delays during ongoing work. Project schedules remain subject to change based on weather and site conditions.

The Dallas Road Roundabouts Project will improve safety, reduce congestion, and enhance traffic flow in one of Richland’s key transportation corridors. The City appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation as crews work to complete these significant roadway improvements.  For more information, visit richlandwa.gov/DallasRoad.

City Of Richland Prepares For MyAccount Launch With Scheduled Utility Portal Outage - 10/23/25

The City of Richland’s online Customer Service utility portal will be unavailable from October 24–27, 2025, as the City implements its new and improved utility billing portal, MyAccount. This planned outage is part of the transition from the current E-Care system to MyAccount.

“MyAccount represents an important upgrade to our customer experience,” said Irma Bottineau, Customer Experience Manager. “This system will offer residents and businesses a more intuitive, mobile-friendly, and flexible way to manage their utility accounts.”

During the planned outage, customers will not be able to access online utility services. However, the City has implemented several measures to minimize impacts during the transition:

• No utility disconnects or late fees will be applied during this time.
• In-person payments can be made at Richland City Hall (625 Swift Blvd., Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) by cash or check.
• Autopay customers will have their payments processed as soon as the transition is complete.
• Staffed kiosks will be available in the lobbies of City Hall, the Richland Public Library, and the Richland Community Center the week of October 27^th to assist customers with accessing the portal on-line.

The City has distributed additional email notices to current E-Care customers about the portal outage. The notices appear in inboxes addressed from “Customer Service” with the subject line “Important Portal Transition”. In addition, in the coming days emails will be sent with detailed instructions guiding customers through the MyAccount sign-in process. 

Please note: Outage dates are subject to change depending on the progress of the implementation and any unforeseen technical issues.  Real time updates will be made on the City’s Facebook page and on the home page of the City’s website (richlandwa.gov).

Key features of the new MyAccount portal include:

• A user-friendly interface with streamlined navigation.
• The ability to manage and view multiple accounts with a single login.
• A downloadable mobile app with customizable push notifications.
• The option to receive SMS text alerts about your account.
• Tools to view account details, compare usage rates, and make payments conveniently.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience as we make this important transition,” Bottineau added. “MyAccount is designed to enhance convenience and transparency while providing better tools for managing utility services.”

More information including a detailed MyAccount User’s Guide can be found by visiting richlandwa.gov/MyAccount. 

Construction Begins Monday, October 20, At Gage Boulevard And Leslie Road Intersection - 10/16/25

Construction will begin Monday, October 20, 2025, at the intersection of Gage Boulevard and Leslie Road in South Richland. The project will upgrade existing ADA ramps and pedestrian push buttons to enhance accessibility and safety for all users.

Work will include improvements to ramps, curb and gutter, sidewalks, and site restoration. Construction is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete most of the work.

Due to material lead times, the pedestrian push buttons will be installed in early 2026 once the necessary components are available.

During construction, there will be no full intersection closures, but lane closures will occur depending on which corner of the intersection is being worked on. Pedestrian detour signs will be posted and maintained in accordance with the approved traffic control plan to ensure safe passage through the area.

The City of Richland appreciates the community’s patience during this improvement project and encourages drivers and pedestrians to use caution and follow all posted signage near the work zone.

More information can be found by visiting richlandwa.gov or contacting 509-942-7500.

City Of Richland To Host Community Meeting On The Downtown Loop - 10/13/25

The City of Richland is hosting an in-person community meeting to share information and engage with residents about The Downtown Loop, a mobility and safety project designed to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety in the downtown area. 

The community meeting will take place on Thursday, November 13 at 6 p.m. in the Doris Roberts Gallery Room at the Richland Public Library (955 Northgate Dr). Richland City staff will present details about the project, share project and construction timelines and answer questions from the public. 

“The Downtown Loop is a major investment into our City’s future and will transform how residents and visitors experience our downtown,” said Richland City Manager Jon Amundson. “We look forward to connecting with residents at this community meeting, where they can see the plans up close and understand the impacts and benefits of the project.”

Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn about planned enhancements to local traffic patterns, updates and additions to the downtown landscape and discuss the project’s impact on downtown mobility and economic vitality.

For those unable to attend in-person, the City will host a virtual community meeting in early 2026 to ensure all those interested have the chance to participate and learn.

The City of Richland encourages all interested community members to attend one of the meetings and stay informed about updates to the project. For more information and to sign up for e-notifications, please visit TheDowntownLoop.com.