Washington State Route 513

On Wednesday, April 11, 2018, we drove Washington State Route 513 because it was on the way.

RCW 47.17.695
State route No. 513:

A state highway to be known as state route number 513 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 520 in Seattle, thence northerly and easterly to the vicinity of Sand Point.

Highway 513 used to start in downtown Seattle on Madison St, but that part was cut in 1971. So here we begin in Montlake at this junction with SR 520. Highway 513 is not signed as a state route here; for all the world, it's just Montlake Blvd.


We drive over the Montlake Bridge, past Husky Stadium and curve east onto 45th St. Shortly we're at the halfway point of the route. Curiously, this is also the only place with a "513" sign, hidden under the trees just past the stop light.


The route curves northeast onto Sand Point Way. The speed limit increases to 40 mph and it actually looks like a state highway for a while. Soon, though, Highway 513 reaches its end at 65th St, the entrance to Magnuson Park at Sand Point. The route used to continue north then west to I-5 at 130th and 145th, but that section was cut in 1992.

From what I can tell, the only reason this short stretch of street is still a state route, is because the City of Seattle doesn't want take responsibility for the Montlake Bridge. I see no other purpose for it to still be in the state's list.