Washougal’s Shepherd Road plans to have ‘great impact’

The city of Washougal has launched its Shepherd Road Pedestrian Connection Project along a key route leading to Sandy Swimming Hole Park. The $4.34 million project, designed to enhance safety, accessibility and connectivity, will improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, formalize parking and address long-standing concerns about speeding, drainage and public safety, according to a news release. “This corridor has been the subject of numerous resident concerns over the years, from speeding to unsafe parking and lack of sidewalks. These challenges have impacted multiple city departments, including police, code enforcement, engineering and streets, highlighting the need for a comprehensive solution,” city engineer and Deputy Public Works Director Scott Collins said. “We want to make sure the community is actively involved as we move forward.” The city will hold a project open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Washougal Community Center to allow residents to ask questions, share feedback and view preliminary design concepts. The project, from Washougal River Road to Lebrun Drive, will widen Shepherd Road to accommodate a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, on-street parking to replace informal shoulder parking, raised crosswalks and traffic calming measures, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant pedestrian upgrades, improved stormwater drainage, pedestrian-scale lighting, signage and landscaping enhancements. “We believe (the project) will have a great impact on the community,” said Michele Loftus, the city’s communications manager. Sandy Swimming Hole Shepherd Road is a two-lane collector between Washougal River Road and Northeast Third Avenue. Midway along the stretch of road between North 12th Street and Fourth Court sits Sandy Swimming Hole, a popular summer destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The only access to the park is off Shepherd Road, and the existing parking lot has about 20 spaces. The surrounding area lacks sidewalks and bike connections, and often draws visitors who are forced to illegally park on shoulders and within the roadway, and in the surrounding neighborhoods. “This is a significant safety project for Shepherd Road, but it’s also kind of a parks enhancement if you think about it, because it’s essentially taking care of a safety issue in and around the Sandy Swimming Hole,” Washougal City Manager David Scott said at a prior city council meeting. “This will mitigate some of the concerns of some of the residents that live right there. It’s not a 100 percent perfect solution … But this will go a long way to really helping that situation.” The project is primarily funded by a $3.47 million grant from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board, with an additional $868,000 in local transportation impact fees. Construction is estimated to begin in summer 2026, with completion expected by that fall, pending permitting and weather conditions. “This project delivers long-needed improvements for residents, park visitors, emergency services and students,” Collins said in a statement. “It’s about creating a safer, more connected corridor that reflects the city’s commitment to accessible, multimodal transportation.” Doug Flanagan: 360-735-4669; doug.flanagan@columbian.com

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