Washington State Highways

Friday, November 8, 2024

Washington State Route 730

On Monday, November 4, 2024, we drove Washington State Route 730 (aka US Route 730). It was on the way home...

A state highway to be known as state route number 730 is established as follows:
Beginning at the Washington-Oregon boundary line, thence northeasterly to a junction with state route number 12 south of Wallula.

On the south bank of the mighty Columbia River, US 730 enters Washington.

With a tailwind, we drive beneath the towering cliffs carved by ice-age floods. Under one stretch, there's a giant fence with a stout net to catch falling rocks. Not most of the cliffs, though. After Port Kelley and the Walla Walla Yacht Club, US 730 turns north and starts climbing. This is the halfway point of the Washington portion.

The Columbia River (Lake Wallula here) spreads out before us as we pass through Wallula Gap. Twin Sisters Rock marks the narrowest portion of the river. Whitecapped waves push upstream. And then we're through the gap and US 730 turns east again. Very shortly, we reach the delta junction with US 12. Be very sure to check for oncoming traffic when turning left. If you look at an aerial photo, you'll see that this entire triangular junction was rebuilt a few hundred feet to the west when WSDOT built a new bridge over the Walla Walla River. Most of the pavement and half the bridge still exist.

US 730 is a pleasant drive along the Columbia and I must say that the Washington portion is the best.

Sunday, October 13, 2024

Washington State Route 706

On Sunday, October 6, 2024, we drove Washington State Route 706 to the gate of Mount Rainier National Park. It was not nearly as much fun as you might expect.

State route No. 706—Road to Paradise:

A state highway to be known as state route number 706, designated the Road to Paradise, is established as follows:
Beginning at a junction with state route number 7 at Elbe, thence easterly to a southwest entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park.

Highway 706 starts here in Elbe at a junction with SR 7. You have to turn right to stay on 7.

The forested Nisqually River valley is sprinkled with a few farms. The evergreen forest is dark; the deciduous forest is full of autumn colors. About halfway along the highway, we arrive at the town of Ashford, pictured above.

We progress deeper into the forest. At milepost 10, still 3.5 miles from the end of Highway 706, we hit a traffic jam. Two excrutiating hours later, we arrive at the end of Highway 706, directly under this entrance gate to Mount Rainier National Park.

You ask, why was there a two-hour traffic jam? Because the federal government is incompetent, that's why. They capped entry to the park during the summer months. We arrived on the first unrestricted weekend and thus we see the pent-up demand. We couldn't even find a parking spot at Paradise. It was getting late anyway, so we left and visted other places.

A major part of the problem is that the park requires everyone to stop at the toll booth on entry, even if you paid in advance. If they had payment enforcement like Washington State's Discover Pass, there would be no line at the gate. There'd be a kiosk where you could stop to buy a pass or you could just drive on in, if you already had one.

The federal government has no constitutional authority to have national parks, anyway. This should be Mount Rainier State Park.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Washington State Route 705

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, we drove I-705 into Tacoma. It's the fourteenth shortest interstate highway in the US, only 1.5 miles long.

State route No. 705:

A state highway to be known as state route number 705 is established as follows:
Beginning at a junction with state route number 5 in Tacoma, thence northerly to a junction with Schuster Parkway in the Tacoma central business district.

Under I-5, SR 7 transitions to I-705.

You have to merge left to stay on I-705 and avoid the exit to the Tacoma Dome. Downtown Tacoma comes into view. Here at the junction with SR 509, you can see only one lane continues north on I-705. Two lanes exit left into the city, which is more than a little confusing, but that's where most drivers are going. Southbound I-705 has at least two lanes the whole way, but northbound has two one-lane stretches for some reason.

I-705 continues another mile, passing downtown Tacoma and ending without a sign to transition to a city street, Schuster Parkway. This point is chosen as it's where there's a southbound onramp, but you can't see that from the northbound lanes.

We continued onward to the Old Town waterfront. I-705 is a fast road, so pick your lane wisely and quickly.

Monday, September 16, 2024

Washington State Route 704

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, we drove Washington State Route 704, or what there is of it.

State route No. 704:

A state highway to be known as state route number 704 is established as follows: Beginning at a junction with state route number 5 in south Pierce county, thence easterly across Fort Lewis to a junction with state route number 7.

Highway 704 does not begin at I-5. The western mile and a half hasn't been built yet, and probably never will be. Thus we begin the "Cross-Base Highway" at this intersection with Spanaway Loop Road.

Twenty years ago, the government was gung-ho for building this highway, but all they managed to do was widen a half mile of Spanaway Loop Road and rename it. That was in 2009. Here we are, halfway along. It's not the shortest state highway in Washington, but it's not longer by much.

In 2017, they changed their minds. A lack of funding and then priorities changed. There's already an existing road connecting I-5 to Spanaway Loop Road, called Perimeter Road. The Cross-Base Highway would handle more traffic and save a few minutes for any drivers, but apparently Perimeter Road just isn't busy enough to warrant that. Highway 704 ends at a junction with SR 7. Since we drove SR 7 in 2008, before Highway 704 was "built", you'll notice I don't mention it on that drive.

The state already announced they don't plan to build the rest of Highway 704. They should just give the street back to the county. Remove the confusing signs and let's pretend it never happened.

Washington State Route 702

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, we drove east east east on Washington State Route 702.

State route No. 702:

A state highway to be known as state route number 702 is established as follows:
Beginning at a junction with state route number 507 at McKenna, thence easterly to a junction with state route number 7.

Here Highway 702 begins at the junction with SR 507.

We head east through farms and forests, gradually leaving the Nisqually valley. Highway 702 bumps over several small ridges, drumlins left from the last ice age. Ahead of us, Mt Rainier dominates the horizon. Halfway between here and there, the photo above.

The forest is a bit swampy. The forest and farms transition to houses and farms, and then to houses and forests. Somehow the straight road takes longer to drive than a curved road would. We finally reach the junction with SR 7. Highway 702 is at an end.

It's a busy two-lane road. Lots of people in a hurry through the countryside. The scenery is nice enough, if they'd just slow down and enjoy it.

Washington State Route 599

On Sunday, September 1, 2024, we drove the short little freeway known as Washington State Route 599.

State route No. 599

A state highway to be known as state route number 599 is established as follows:
Beginning in the vicinity south of Seattle at a junction with state route number 5, thence in a northwesterly direction west of the Duwamish river to a junction with state route number 99 in the vicinity of South 118 street south of Seattle.

Highway 599 starts at this interchange with I-5 that's only accessible from the northbound lanes. This entire highway is in Tukwila, yet the description in the code fails to mention the city.

We parallel the light rail line and take a slow curve. One mile in, we're already at the halfway point. The road is rather empty, compared to I-5.

We curve left and then right and then Highway 599 ends and the freeway becomes SR 99. SR 99 used to proceed south from this interchange on Tukwila International Boulevard, but that street was given back to the city in 2004, so now it's just two highways end-to-end.

Highway 599 really shouldn't exist. It would make much more sense for these two miles to be signed as SR 99. It's only been 20 years. Not too late to change it.

Washington State Route 548

On Thursday, July 25, 2024, we drove Washington State Route 548 in rush hour traffic, such as it was.

State route No. 548:

A state highway to be known as state route number 548 is established as follows:
Beginning at a junction with state route number 5 in the vicinity north of Ferndale, thence westerly and northerly to a junction with state route number 5 in Blaine.

Highway 548 begins heading westward, which is highly unusual for an even-numbered highway in Washington. It starts at this interchange with I-5.

A stop sign spreads out the rush hour traffic nicely, once you get by it. We drive through rolling hills of fields and forests. Can't escape the roundabouts. Near the BP refinery, the highway turns north but most traffic continues straight, heading toward Birch Bay. The highway no longer has shoulders, but just ditches close to the fog lines. Birch Bay is off to our left as we reach the halfway point of the highway. At intersections, more traffic is crossing Highway 548 than driving on it.

We head over California and Dakota Creeks on old bridges. The tide is out. We're now on the old old Pacific Highway. After the railroad tracks, there's a stop sign at Peace Portal Drive. There's no directional sign, but I turn left since I know that's the way. Surely some people go straight and get lost. We follow the railroad tracks into Blaine. Seagulls overhead. Sun reflects off the water of Drayton Harbor. At the north end of town, Highway 548 ends at another interchange with I-5, replete with two roundabouts. It's Whatcom County, after all.

The day was stretching too long for us to head over to Birch Bay. If we visit Birch Bay again, we probably won't use Highway 548, since it doesn't actually go there...