The Battle Ground School District Board of Directors held a special meeting on February 10, 2025, to discuss the significant Fifth Street project, which aims to enhance traffic flow and safety in the area. The project, located just north of the school district property, is designed to connect State Route 503 to Parkway, addressing congestion issues that affect over 50,000 vehicles daily.

The Fifth Street project has been part of the Transportation System Plan since 2005 and received a substantial funding boost of $7.7 million from the Connecting Washington program in 2016. This funding is part of a series of six projects aimed at improving traffic conditions at the busy 503/502 intersection. The completed projects include road extensions and signal improvements that have already begun to alleviate traffic backups.

The Fifth Street project is classified as a neighborhood collector and is expected to accommodate approximately 2,650 vehicles per day by 2044. Given its proximity to schools, the project will incorporate several safety features to protect students and pedestrians. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer, marking a significant step forward in the district's efforts to improve local infrastructure.

In addition to the Fifth Street project, the meeting highlighted the completion of earlier phases, including improvements at key intersections and road extensions that have already contributed to better traffic management in the area. The board emphasized the importance of these developments for the community, ensuring safer routes for students and residents alike.

As the project moves forward, the board remains committed to keeping the community informed and engaged, with plans for further discussions and updates as construction progresses.