VANCOUVER – For the last six years, the closure of the pedestrian crossing along State Route 500 at the Northeast Stapleton Road/Northeast 54th Avenue in Vancouver has forced those who walk, bike or roll to take the long way home. But the end of those out-of-the-way trips is in sight as the intersection improvement project kicks off on Thursday, July 18.
This project will restore the north/south connection across the SR 500 intersection by constructing a new overcrossing. The new structure eliminates additional travel, reconnects and better serves the most vulnerable travelers and is Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.
Washington State Department of Transportation contractors will construct the walls, ramps, and new bridge. They’ll also remove existing concrete traffic islands where previous traffic signals were located and install LED highway lighting.
“In 2018, for drivers’ safety, we removed the signalized intersections along SR 500, which closed pedestrian access across the highway. We made a commitment to return, once funding was obtained, to restore the north/south connection across the highway for those who walk, bike and roll,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Susan Fell. “We appreciate the community’s patience as we worked to design a safe and accessible crossing that will serve active transportation users for many years to come.”
Traffic effects
During this construction:
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Travelers can expect daytime, intermittent single lane closures from July through December.
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A brief nighttime closure of the highway will be needed to install bridge girders. The date of the nighttime closure will be announced in advance.
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People wanting to access to communities on either side of SR 500 on Stapleton Street and 54th Street should seek alternate routes.
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People who walk, bike and roll can continue to use a no-fare, on-demand shuttle service provided in partnership with C-TRAN to cross to and from NE 54th Avenue to NE Stapleton Road across SR 500. Call 360-695-0123 to book a ride.
The new structure will incorporate straight ramps with a gradual incline and a wide turning radius so people riding bicycles, using wheelchairs or other mobility devices can easily climb the grade and make the turns comfortably. The bridge also will include a landing midway along each ramp on both sides of the structure to provide a resting spot, giving users of all ages and abilities safe access across the highway. Travelers will get to the bridge via new bi-directional bicycle lanes and along the existing sidewalks from Northeast 54th Avenue and Northeast Stapleton Road.
In 2021, feedback from community members who walk, bike and roll in the area identified the highest priorities for the new bridge were safety, future maintenance, cost, bicycle maneuverability, right‐of‐way, constructability and corridor appearance. These priorities were incorporated into the final bridge design.
The project is scheduled to complete in the spring of 2025. The new bridge and other features are being constructed by Cascade Bridge of Vancouver.
Know before you go
People can receive real-time travel information via the WSDOT mobile app, or by visiting our real-time travel map.