New Traffic Pattern Coming to Pioneer Street and 56th Place Roundabout
Major construction on Ridgefield’s Pioneer Widening and Discovery Drive Roundabout Project was completed last December. The project improved the corridor to accommodate increased traffic and has been moving traffic efficiently for nearly a year.
Since the project was completed, the City has heard from community members that the Pioneer Street and 56th Place roundabout can be confusing for some drivers, particularly the northwest quadrant where southbound traffic on N 56th Place enters the roundabout. After close observation and consideration, the City will conduct a 45-day trial of a revised traffic pattern by designating the outside southbound lane on N 56th Place as right-turn only onto Pioneer Street. The change will take effect on Tuesday, August 11.
On Tuesday, August 11, the City's Street Operations crew will briefly close N 56th Place while crews remove and replace pavement markings and install new regulatory signs. The work is expected to be completed by 3 PM, before the afternoon commute.
Drivers leaving the Costco commercial area will continue to have two options for accessing Interstate 5:
- Use the inside southbound lane on N 56^(th) Place to enter the roundabout and exit onto eastbound Pioneer Street,
- Travel west on Pioneer Canyon Drive to the Discovery Drive roundabout, then exit onto eastbound Pioneer Street.
The revised traffic pattern will remain in place for a 45-day evaluation period. If the change improves operations without creating significant backups on N 56th Place, it will become permanent.
Roundabouts can improve safety, reduce collisions, reduce delay and improve traffic flow. When driving through a roundabout, remember these tips:
- As you approach a multi-lane roundabout, look for the black-and-white lane choice sign and select the correct lane before entering. Lane assignments vary from one roundabout to another.
- Yield to drivers already in the roundabout.
- Stay in your lane. Dashed lines within a roundabout allow entry into the circle, not lane changes.
- Do not stop in the roundabout.
- Avoid driving alongside oversized vehicles, such as semi-trucks with trailers, which may need more than one lane to navigate the roundabout safely.
This is a trial, and your patience and cooperation are appreciated as the community adjusts to the new traffic pattern. An update will be provided in September.
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