Shepherd Road Pedestrian Connection Project

Improving Safety, Access, and Mobility in Washougal

The City of Washougal has launched the Shepherd Road Pedestrian Connection Project—a major infrastructure upgrade designed to improve safety and accessibility along a key community corridor between Washougal River Road and Lebrun Drive.

The project will enhance access to Sandy Swimming Hole Waterfront Park, address longstanding concerns about speeding, informal parking, and pedestrian safety, and support the City’s goals for a more connected, multimodal transportation network.

Project Highlights

Planned improvements include:

• Widened roadway to accommodate all features
• Shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists
• On-street parking to replace informal shoulder parking
• Traffic calming features, including raised crosswalks
• ADA-compliant access improvements
• Stormwater drainage upgrades
• Pedestrian-scale lighting, signage, and landscaping

These enhancements will create a safer and more user-friendly corridor for residents, students, visitors, and emergency services.

Funding and Timeline

• The total project cost is $4.34 million, funded through:
• $3.47 million – State grant from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB)
• $868,000 – Local Transportation Impact Fees

Project Timeline (Estimated):

1. Planning & Design: March 2025 – February 2026
2. Public Involvement: August 2025
3. Permitting & Right of Way: August 2025 – March 2026
4. Construction: May 2026 – October 2026

Some schedule adjustments may occur depending on permitting and other external factors.

Why This Project Matters

The Shepherd Road corridor has seen growing safety and access concerns, particularly near Sandy Swimming Hole during the summer months. Issues like informal parking, lack of sidewalks, and frequent speeding have prompted repeated feedback from residents and challenges for multiple City departments.

This project addresses those concerns while investing in long-term infrastructure that supports:

• Safer routes for walking and biking
• Better access to parks and neighborhoods
• Improved emergency service response
• Enhanced neighborhood livability

This project supports the City of Washougal’s Strategic Plan – Core Services Priority by:

• Leveraging state grant funding
• Enhancing public safety infrastructure
• Delivering fiscally responsible capital improvements that serve community needs now and into the future

More Information

Updates, open house materials, and final designs will be shared on this page as the project progresses.