Beginning at Esther Short Park, runners, walkers and an estimated 500 companion animals will follow members of the Rose City Rollers, Portland’s hard-hitting roller derby league, along one choice of three distance routes, ranging from 1.5 miles to 5k, through the scenic Columbia River trail. Ending back at Esther Short Park, participants and their pets will enjoy a variety of festivities including a pancake breakfast provided by Elmer’s restaurant, live music, vendor and retail booths, onsite pet microchipping and more.
“The Walk/Run for the Animals is a wonderful way for our community to become engaged by helping raise money for the Humane Society’s programs and the thousands of animals that come through our shelter each year,” said Stacey Waddell, interim executive director of the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.
Last year, the Annual Walk/Run for the Animals raised nearly $80,000 to help fund programs and services offered through the Humane Society’s eastside shelter.
For more information, visit www.southwesthumane.org.
New roundabouts, local road improvements coming to Ridgefield junction
Construction is about to begin on two roundabouts flanking Interstate 5 near its junction with State Route 501, three miles east of Ridgefield.
The roundabouts and other local road improvements are the second stage of a $29 million Washington State Department of Transportation safety and mobility project that began construction in 2009.
“About 11,000 people drive this every day,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Chris Tams. “Stage 1 built a wider bridge and longer ramps to improve traffic flow right at the interchange. Stage 2 is a partnership with the city of Ridgefield to improve local streets that feed into the interchange and I-5.”
Work kicks off April 30, when crews with Nutter Corporation of Vancouver begin excavation work on the east side of I-5 at Pioneer Street and 65th Avenue.
Drivers on SR 501 and local roads near the interchange can expect lane closures, traffic shifts and delays of up to 20 minutes during construction. The project is scheduled for completion this fall.
The Park and Ride at Pioneer Street and 65th Avenue has closed to allow crews to move in equipment and prepare for utility work on the property.
