U.S. Route 97 in Washington
Encyclopedia
In the U.S. state
of Washington, U.S. Route 97 (US 97) is a 322 miles (518.2 km) route which traverses from the Oregon
state line at the northern end of the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
in Maryhill, north to the Canadian border in Okanogan County near Oroville
. The highway serves major cities such as Goldendale
, Yakima
, Ellensburg
and Wenatchee
before continuing towards the Alaska Highway
at the Yukon
border as British Columbia Highway 97. Along the length of the roadway, US 97 is concurrent
with State Route 14 (SR 14) in Maryhill, Interstate 82
(I-82) and US 12
between Union Gap
and Ellensburg, I-90
briefly in Ellensburg, US 2
between Peshastin
and rural Douglas County and SR 20 near Omak
. An alternate route connects the highway with Chelan
.
The first segment of what is now US 97 in Washington to be included in the state highway system was a road extending from Wenatchee to Twisp
, designated in 1897. Since, four early highways formed the modern route of the roadway: State Road 8, State Road 3, State Road 2 and State Road 10, all signed in 1923. The United States Numbered Highways
were established in 1926 and US 97 was co-signed with all four state roads, including two concurrencies with US 410
and US 10
. The state roads became Primary state highways in 1937, keeping their numbers from the previous system and US 10 was moved south in 1940 and its original alignment, including the concurrency, became US 2 in 1946. The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, originally named the Biggs Rapids Bridge, was first opened on November 1, 1962, but the river has been crossed by a ferry at the same location since the early 1920s. During the 1964 highway renumbering, all four highways were replaced by US 97 and in 1956, the Interstate Highway System
was established, including two highways (I-82 and I-90) concurrent with US 97. US 12 replaced US 410 during its extension west in 1967 and US 97 was moved across the Columbia River
in Chelan County, establishing US 97 Alternate and decommissioning SR 151 in 1987. Until 2006, US 197
was co-signed with SR 14 between Dallesport
and Maryhill. The bridge deck was replaced between 2007 and 2009 and the bridge was closed in 2008. Five other minor projects, such as repavings and sidewalk additions, have already been completed, but eight projects have yet to be completed.
except for the sections that are in urban areas, such as Wenatchee
and concurrent
with Interstate 82
(I-82) and I-90
. The entire route from the Oregon
state line to the Canadian border is part of the National Highway System
, a system of roadways considered important to the nation's economy, defense and mobility. At the southern terminus of the I-82 – US 12
concurrency in Union Gap
, US 97 had an estimated daily average of 20,000 motorists in 2007, making it both the busiest segment of the highway in Washington and the fifth busiest segment of U.S. routes in Washington. The busiest segment of US 97 in 1970 was at Main Street in Selah
, with a daily average of 17,100 motorists.
US 97 begins at the Oregon state line over the Columbia River
on the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
. After exiting the bridge, the highway enters Maryhill, passes the Maryhill State Park
and crosses railroad tracks on the Vancouver
–Pasco
route operated by BNSF Railway
. From the crossing, the roadway becomes briefly concurrent with State Route 14 (SR 14) west for 0.42 mile (0.6759228 km) before turning north to intersect SR 14 Spur (via a couplet) and leaving the Maryhill area.
From Maryhill, the road curves northeast and later north to pass Centerville
and bypass Goldendale
to intersect SR 142
. US 97 then turns northeast through Brooks Memorial State Park
and entering the Yakama Indian Reservation
passes over Satus Pass
then coming out of the Cascades into the Yakima Valley
passes the Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge
and Toppenish
, where it intersects SR 22 and Fort Road, which was SR 220
until 1991. After leaving Toppenish in a northwestern direction, the highway parallels the Tacoma
–Pasco route of the BNSF Railway and the Interstate 82
(I-82) – US 12 concurrency briefly past Wapato
and some minor roads to also parallel the Yakima River
and enter Union Gap, where the roadway joins the I-82 and US 12 concurrency.
From the interchange in which US 97 joins the I-82 / US 12, numbered exit 37, the freeway interchanges with many minor streets in Union Gap and some major highways, including a state route, in Yakima
, including Valley Mall Boulevard at exit 36, SR 24 and Nob Hill Boulevard at exit 34, Terrace Heights Way and Yakima Avenue at exit 33; at exit 31, US 12 ends its 31.35 miles (50.45 km) long concurrency at the southern terminus of SR 823
. After leaving Yakima, the highway enters Selah
and interchanges with SR 823 and Rest Haven Road and then later leaves the city after interchanging Selah Road to cross Selah Creek on the Fred G. Redmon Bridge
. Approaching Ellensburg
, the roadway interchanges with SR 821
at exit 26, Military Road at exit 11 and the northern end of SR 821 at exit 3 before entering Ellensburg. I-82 later ends its 37.81 miles (60.85 km) concurrency and route at I-90
, were a brief concurrency begins.
The I-90 concurrency begins at exit 110, which is a trumpet interchange. Then, I-90 / US 97 interchanges Canyon Road at exit 109 and then US 97 leaves the 19.73 miles (31.75 km) concurrency at exit 106. From I-90, the highway turns northwest, passing SR 10 southeast of Thorp
, a railroad track owned by BNSF Railway, and SR 970 in Virden to Blewett Pass
, where US 97 crosses the Cascades
. At Peshastin
, the roadway starts its 27.98 miles (45.03 km) concurrency with US 2
at a diamond interchange
.
From Peshastin, US 2 / US 97 parallels another BNSF route and passes Dryden
and Cashmere
before entering Wenatchee
and intersecting Washington State Route 285
and later US 97 Alternate. After the intersection with US 97 Alternate, which is actually a partial cloverleaf interchange, the roadway crosses the Columbia River on the Richard Odabashian Bridge into East Wenatchee
, where it intersects SR 28, turns north and starts to parallel the Wenatchee—Oroville
route of the Cascade and Columbia River Railroad
. After paralleling the Columbia River, US 2 leaves the concurrency at Orondo
. The road continues north and later east along the Columbia River from Orondo to Chelan Falls
, where US 97 once again crosses the Columbia River, on the Beebe Bridge
and then intersects SR 150
. After leaving Chelan Falls, the highway follows the Columbia River and passes the northern terminus of US 97 Alternate, which goes west to Chelan
, and continues north to intersect SR 153
south of Pateros
. After leaving the city, the roadway travels northeast to Brewster
, where it intersects SR 173
.
After leaving Brewster, US 97 crosses the Okanogan River
and passes Anderson Field
to intersect SR 17 north of Fort Okanogan State Park
. From SR 17, the highway parallels the Okanogan River north past Monse and Malott
to Okanogan
, where the roadway enters the Colville Indian Reservation
and starts a 28.65 miles (46.11 km) long concurrency with SR 20. From the beginning of the concurrency, the road crosses a railroad and intersects SR 155
. US 97 / SR 20 then crosses over SR 155 on a bridge and crosses the Okanogan River.
After the crossing, the roadway leaves Omak, along with the Colville Indian Reservation and intersects SR 215
. From SR 215, the highway continues north past North Omak
and Riverside
to cross the Okanogan River again and enter Tonasket
, where SR 20 leaves the concurrency. After leaving Tonasket, the road continues north along the Okanogan River to Oroville, the last major community on US 97 before the border. The Okanogan River becomes Osoyoos Lake at this point and the highway parallels the lake to the Canadian border, where the roadway becomes British Columbia Highway 97 (BC 97) and continues north towards Alaska
.
was a roadway extending from Wenatchee
to Twisp
, although the US 97 segment ended in Pateros
, established in 1897. In 1905, another road from Pateros to Okanogan
was added to the system, which would be extended to the Canadian border in 1907. That roadway from Wenatchee to Canada, was named the Wenatchee-Oroville Road and numbered State Road 10. A different road, located along the Oregon
state line on the Columbia River
, was established as State Road 8, the Columbia River Road and ran north from Maryhill to Goldendale
.
Six years later, in 1913, State Road 7 was created on a Virden–Wenatchee route. The Inland Empire Highway was established in 1915 and the section it overlapped with present-day US 97 ran from Buena
northwest to Ellensburg
. State Road 2 replaced State Road 7 in 1919 and a branch, the Southern Division of the Sunset Highway, was established in 1919 and ran south from State Road 2 at Virden to Ellensburg.
During the early 1920s, a ferry
was established over the Columbia River between Biggs Junction, Oregon
and Maryhill. State Road 8 between Goldendale and Buena was established in 1923. US 97 was established along with the rest of the U.S. routes
in 1926, including US 10
and US 410
, which were concurrent
with US 97. All state roads became Primary state highways in 1937 and they kept their numbers; a branch of Primary State Highway 8 (PSH 8) was also established, connecting the Maryhill ferry to PSH 8 in Maryhill. Another concurrency was added in 1946, when US 2
was extended west, co-signed with US 97 between Peshastin
and Wenatchee.
On 29 June 1956, President
Dwight D. Eisenhower
signed the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956
into law, establishing a system of freeways that would later become the Interstate Highway System
. Included in the system were Interstate 82
(I-82) and I-90
, which were to be concurrent with US 97. The Biggs Rapids Bridge (later renamed to the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
) was opened on 1 November 1962, replacing the ferry that had been operating on the route since the early 1920s. A new system of highways
was introduced in 1964 and ultimately caused US 97 to replace the Primary state highways.
US 410 was replaced by a western extension of US 12
in 1967, when the highway's western terminus was moved to Aberdeen
. In 1973, a segment of US 97 between Selah
and Ellensburg was realigned east away from the Yakima River
and onto I-82, while the former route became SR 821
. Between US 97 / US 10, which would later be decommissioned by 1970, near Thorp
and US 97 in Virden, there was a SR 131
. In 1975, to reduce the SR 10 concurrency, US 97 replaced SR 131 and the old route became SR 10 and SR 970. SR 131 would later be routed on another route in the Randle
area in 1991. Within Selah, US 97 was also moved onto I-82 away from the city, so the old route became SR 823
in 1984. Prior to 1987, US 97 ran on the west side of the Columbia River between Wenatchee and Chelan
, while SR 151 ran on the east side. US 97 was moved onto SR 151 in 1987 and the old US 97 became US 97 Alternate.
(WSDOT) has completed five construction projects on the US 97 corridor, ranging from a bridge deck replacement in Maryhill to repaving the roadway between Oroville
area and Canada. Construction on a three-part project to install guardrail
s on dangerous portions of the highway began on May 16, 2006. The project was finished on 17 August 2006 and improved a 32 miles (51 km) segment near Blewett Pass
, a 18 miles (29 km) section in the Colville Indian Reservation
and a 20 miles (32.19 km) segment between Riverside
and Oroville.
Prior to 5 October 2006, US 197
, an auxiliary route
of US 97, ended at US 97, co-signed with SR 14, in Maryhill. On 5 October, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) decommissioned US 197 between Dallesport
and Maryhill. Between 29 May and 28 September 2007, WSDOT repaved the roadway between Cordell, located south of Oroville, and the Canadian border. In July 2008, WSDOT completed installing guardrails on the road in Klickitat County. Between 11 August and December 5, 2008, WSDOT added sidewalks and illumination along a 0.59 mile (0.9495106 km) long stretch of the highway between Main Street and SR 173
in Brewster
.
Since the opening of the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge in 1962, the bridge has used a lightweight concrete
and asphalt
bridge deck
. Now, the bridge is a heavily used truck route and requires a heavy concrete deck. In late 2006, a replacement project was planned and the estimated $16 million USD
cost was split between the governments of Washington and Oregon. The whole bridge was replaced by WSDOT, including the Oregon side. The project was accelerated to Fall 2007, but the bridge wasn't closed until 2 January 2008. During construction on 15 January, approximately 8:00 (PST), a worker was seriously injured after an excavator
fell into the Columbia River. After the area was cleaned, the project resumed on 23 January and a worker died after falling off the bridge on February 26. By April, half of the new deck was complete and the bridge was reopened on May 19, at 18:00 (PST). Although the bridge was reopened, it was once again closed on 3 September for more repairs. The bridge was reopened on 24 December and all roadwork was completed on 23 March 2009.
because the 5 – 6 January floods washed out the roadway. The third and final phase is set to begin on August 17. The Janis Bridge was first constructed and completed in 1957 and on 15 June 2009, a construction project to the rehabilitate the bridge deck begam. Construction will cease on 27 July. On 22 June, construction began on a project to install a new traffic signal at the SR 155
intersection in Okanogan, two variable-message signs and two traffic camera
s near the Canadian border. On 27 July, WSDOT will start to fix an unstable slope north of Blewett Pass, 8 miles (13 km) south of the US 2 intersection. Another project set to begin on 27 July to fix an unstable slope on US 97 near Blewett Pass. WSDOT will add a passing lane on the highway at Blewett Pass in summer 2010. The bridge over Satus Creek, located within the Yakima Indian Reservation in Klickitat County will be replaced in 2010. A repaving project between Orondo and Chelan Falls has been put on hold until 2016, originally scheduled for 2010.
that extends from the US 97 / US 2
concurrency
north of Wenatchee
along the west side of the Columbia River
to US 97 east of Chelan
, completely in Chelan County. The highway begins at a partial cloverleaf interchange with US 97 / US 2 north of Wenatchee and west of the Richard Odabashian Bridge over the Columbia River. After leaving the interchange, the roadway parallels the eastern boundary of the Wenatchee National Forest
to cross the Entiat River
and pass Entiat
before intersecting SR 971
twice, the second time being on the southern shores of Lake Chelan
. The road continues east across the Chelan River
into Chelan
as various streets, such as Woodin Avenue, Webster Avenue and Saunders Street before intersecting SR 150
, leaving Chelan, passing Lake Chelan Airport
and ending at US 97. In 1897, US 97 Alternate was a part of a Wenatchee–Twisp
highway. That highway became a part of US 97 in 1926 and later US 97 Alternate in 1987 when US 97 was moved east of the river over SR 151. The busiest section of US 97 Alternate in 2007 was north of the US 97 / US 2 interchange, with a daily average of 9,700 motorists.
that connects US 97 north of the terminus of the US 2 concurrency to US 2 east of the end of the concurrency, completely located in Orondo
, a community in Douglas County. The busiest section of US 97 Spur in 2007 was at the US 97 intersection, with a daily average of 250 motorists.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Washington, U.S. Route 97 (US 97) is a 322 miles (518.2 km) route which traverses from the Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
state line at the northern end of the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, also known as the Biggs Rapids Bridge, is a steel truss bridge that carries U.S. Highway 97 across the Columbia River between Biggs Junction, Oregon in Sherman County and Maryhill, Washington in Klickitat County...
in Maryhill, north to the Canadian border in Okanogan County near Oroville
Oroville, Washington
Oroville is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,686 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Oroville is located at ....
. The highway serves major cities such as Goldendale
Goldendale, Washington
Goldendale is a rural agricultural town in and the county seat of Klickitat County, Washington, United States, near the Columbia River Gorge. The population within city limits was 3,760 at the 2000 census and 3,407, a 9.4% decrease at the 2010 census. A nationally known point of interest is north...
, Yakima
Yakima, Washington
Yakima is an American city southeast of Mount Rainier National Park and the county seat of Yakima County, Washington, United States, and the eighth largest city by population in the state itself. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 91,196 and a metropolitan population of...
, Ellensburg
Ellensburg, Washington
Ellensburg is a city in, and the county seat of, Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 18,174 at the 2010 census. The population was 18,250 at 2011 Estimate from Office of Financial Management. Ellensburg is located just east of the Cascade Range on I-90 and is known as the...
and Wenatchee
Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and is the largest city and county seat of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925...
before continuing towards the Alaska Highway
Alaska Highway
The Alaska Highway was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon...
at the Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
border as British Columbia Highway 97. Along the length of the roadway, US 97 is concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with State Route 14 (SR 14) in Maryhill, Interstate 82
Interstate 82
Interstate 82 is a Interstate Highway that extends from I-90 in Ellensburg, Washington to I-84 near Umatilla, Oregon in the United States. In the state of Washington, it serves the cities of Ellensburg, Yakima, and the Tri Cities , and in Oregon, it serves Umatilla and Hermiston...
(I-82) and US 12
U.S. Route 12 in Washington
U.S. Route 12 is a major east-west U.S. Highway, running from Aberdeen, Washington, to Detroit, Michigan. It spans across the state of Washington, and is the only numbered highway to span the entire state from west to east, starting near the Pacific Ocean, and crossing the Idaho state line near...
between Union Gap
Union Gap, Washington
Union Gap is a city in Yakima County, Washington, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,047.-History:The city of Union Gap was originally named Yakima and was officially incorporated on November 23, 1883...
and Ellensburg, I-90
Interstate 90 in Washington
Interstate 90 , a transcontinental Interstate Highway from Seattle, Washington, to Boston, Massachusetts, crosses the state of Washington before crossing the Idaho state line between Spokane and Post Falls...
briefly in Ellensburg, US 2
U.S. Route 2 in Washington
U.S. Route 2 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that has a western segment that runs from Everett, Washington, to the Upper Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. In Washington, it is a state highway that begins at in Downtown Everett. The of US 2 that lie within...
between Peshastin
Peshastin, Washington
Peshastin is a small unincorporated community in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The community's roots are found in the 'Peshastin Ditch' dug by pioneers beginning in 1889. This ditch was an important part of the overall irrigation system in the area, delivering water to the orchards on...
and rural Douglas County and SR 20 near Omak
Omak, Washington
Omak is the largest city in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 4,721 at the 2010 census. It is just south of the Canadian border where more populated cities are located ....
. An alternate route connects the highway with Chelan
Chelan, Washington
Chelan is a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,890 at the 2010 census. It sits on the southeast tip of Lake Chelan, where the lake flows into the Chelan River....
.
The first segment of what is now US 97 in Washington to be included in the state highway system was a road extending from Wenatchee to Twisp
Twisp, Washington
Twisp is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 938 at the 2000 census and decreased to 919 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Twisp is located at ....
, designated in 1897. Since, four early highways formed the modern route of the roadway: State Road 8, State Road 3, State Road 2 and State Road 10, all signed in 1923. The United States Numbered Highways
United States Numbered Highways
The system of United States Numbered Highways is an integrated system of roads and highways in the United States numbered within a nationwide grid...
were established in 1926 and US 97 was co-signed with all four state roads, including two concurrencies with US 410
U.S. Route 410
U.S. Route 410 was one of the west–east state highways. It ran from an intersection with US 101 in Aberdeen, Washington to US 95 in Lewiston, Idaho. The route had concurrencies with SR 8, US 99, and US 395. Even though the number indicates that US 410 was a spur of U.S. Route 10, US 410 never...
and US 10
U.S. Route 10
U.S. Route 10 is an east–west United States highway formed in 1926. Though it never became the cross-country highway suggested by the "0" as the last digit of its route number, U.S...
. The state roads became Primary state highways in 1937, keeping their numbers from the previous system and US 10 was moved south in 1940 and its original alignment, including the concurrency, became US 2 in 1946. The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, originally named the Biggs Rapids Bridge, was first opened on November 1, 1962, but the river has been crossed by a ferry at the same location since the early 1920s. During the 1964 highway renumbering, all four highways were replaced by US 97 and in 1956, the Interstate Highway System
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
was established, including two highways (I-82 and I-90) concurrent with US 97. US 12 replaced US 410 during its extension west in 1967 and US 97 was moved across the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
in Chelan County, establishing US 97 Alternate and decommissioning SR 151 in 1987. Until 2006, US 197
U.S. Route 197
U.S. Route 197 is a north–south U.S. Route serving Central Oregon and the Columbia Gorge. The route was added in the 1950s. The southern terminus of US 197 is at an intersection with U.S. Route 97 west of Shaniko, Oregon. From US 97, US 197 traverses Wasco County and the cities of Maupin, Tygh...
was co-signed with SR 14 between Dallesport
Dallesport, Washington
Dallesport is a census-designated place in Klickitat County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,202 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and Maryhill. The bridge deck was replaced between 2007 and 2009 and the bridge was closed in 2008. Five other minor projects, such as repavings and sidewalk additions, have already been completed, but eight projects have yet to be completed.
Route description
US 97 is a major highway in Washington that spans 321.61 miles (517.58 km) and consists of mostly two lanes; it is undividedDivided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
except for the sections that are in urban areas, such as Wenatchee
Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and is the largest city and county seat of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925...
and concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with Interstate 82
Interstate 82
Interstate 82 is a Interstate Highway that extends from I-90 in Ellensburg, Washington to I-84 near Umatilla, Oregon in the United States. In the state of Washington, it serves the cities of Ellensburg, Yakima, and the Tri Cities , and in Oregon, it serves Umatilla and Hermiston...
(I-82) and I-90
Interstate 90 in Washington
Interstate 90 , a transcontinental Interstate Highway from Seattle, Washington, to Boston, Massachusetts, crosses the state of Washington before crossing the Idaho state line between Spokane and Post Falls...
. The entire route from the Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
state line to the Canadian border is part of the National Highway System
National Highway System (United States)
The National Highway System is a network of strategic highways within the United States, including the Interstate Highway System and other roads serving major airports, ports, rail or truck terminals, railway stations, pipeline terminals and other strategic transport facilities.Individual states...
, a system of roadways considered important to the nation's economy, defense and mobility. At the southern terminus of the I-82 – US 12
U.S. Route 12 in Washington
U.S. Route 12 is a major east-west U.S. Highway, running from Aberdeen, Washington, to Detroit, Michigan. It spans across the state of Washington, and is the only numbered highway to span the entire state from west to east, starting near the Pacific Ocean, and crossing the Idaho state line near...
concurrency in Union Gap
Union Gap, Washington
Union Gap is a city in Yakima County, Washington, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,047.-History:The city of Union Gap was originally named Yakima and was officially incorporated on November 23, 1883...
, US 97 had an estimated daily average of 20,000 motorists in 2007, making it both the busiest segment of the highway in Washington and the fifth busiest segment of U.S. routes in Washington. The busiest segment of US 97 in 1970 was at Main Street in Selah
Selah, Washington
Selah is a city in Yakima County, Washington, United States. The population was 7,147 at the 2010 census.-History:Selah was officially incorporated on April 3, 1919. The government is a Strong Mayor/Council form. The Tree Top apple processor co-operative has its headquarters and two processing...
, with a daily average of 17,100 motorists.
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
on the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, also known as the Biggs Rapids Bridge, is a steel truss bridge that carries U.S. Highway 97 across the Columbia River between Biggs Junction, Oregon in Sherman County and Maryhill, Washington in Klickitat County...
. After exiting the bridge, the highway enters Maryhill, passes the Maryhill State Park
Maryhill State Park
Maryhill State Park in Klickitat County, Washington is a camping park in the Washington State Park System. It consists of with of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River. The Maryhill Stonehenge, a full-scale concrete replica of Stonehenge stands on a bluff not far from the park...
and crosses railroad tracks on the Vancouver
Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver is a city on the north bank of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Incorporated in 1857, it is the fourth largest city in the state with a 2010 census population of 161,791 as of April 1, 2010...
–Pasco
Pasco, Washington
Pasco is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Washington, United States.Pasco is one of three cities that make up the Tri-Cities region of the state of Washington...
route operated by BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway
The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
. From the crossing, the roadway becomes briefly concurrent with State Route 14 (SR 14) west for 0.42 mile (0.6759228 km) before turning north to intersect SR 14 Spur (via a couplet) and leaving the Maryhill area.
From Maryhill, the road curves northeast and later north to pass Centerville
Centerville, Washington
Centerville is also the original name of Centralia, Washington.Centerville is a census-designated place in Klickitat County, Washington, United States. First settled in 1877 by Albert J...
and bypass Goldendale
Goldendale, Washington
Goldendale is a rural agricultural town in and the county seat of Klickitat County, Washington, United States, near the Columbia River Gorge. The population within city limits was 3,760 at the 2000 census and 3,407, a 9.4% decrease at the 2010 census. A nationally known point of interest is north...
to intersect SR 142
Washington State Route 142
State Route 142 is a long state highway located entirely in Klickitat County, Washington, United States. The highway begins at an interchange with SR 14 in Lyle and travels northeast to an interchange with U.S...
. US 97 then turns northeast through Brooks Memorial State Park
Brooks Memorial State Park
Brooks Memorial State Park is a park in the southern Cascade Mountains near Goldendale, Washington, USA. In 2011 the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will consider transferring the ownership of Brooks Memorial State Park to the Central Klickitat Conservation District.-External...
and entering the Yakama Indian Reservation
Yakama Indian Reservation
The Yakama Indian Reservation is a United States Indian reservation located on the east side of the Cascade Mountains in southern Washington. It is the homeland of the Yakama tribe of Native Americans....
passes over Satus Pass
Satus Pass
Satus Pass is a high mountain pass in the Cascades in the state of Washington. The pass connects Goldendale and the Klickitat Valley to the south with the Yakama Indian Reservation and Yakima Valley to the north. The Simcoe Mountains lie to the west of Satus Pass, and Bickleton Ridge to the...
then coming out of the Cascades into the Yakima Valley
Yakima Valley
Yakima Valley may refer to:*Yakima River Valley in southeastern Washington*Yakima Valley AVA...
passes the Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge
Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge
Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge is located in the agriculturally intensive Yakima Valley of eastern Washington. Using the waters of Toppenish and Snake Creeks and supplemented with summer irrigation, managers are able to provide a mosaic of refuge wetlands interspersed with lush riparian and...
and Toppenish
Toppenish, Washington
Toppenish is a city in Yakima County, Washington, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,949.-History:The General Allotment Act of 1887 granted an allotment of land to a woman of half Indian ancestry, Josephine Bowser Lillie, known as "The Mother of Toppenish"...
, where it intersects SR 22 and Fort Road, which was SR 220
Washington State Route 220
State Route 220 was a long state highway located entirely in the Yakama Indian Reservation, Yakima County, Washington, United States. The highway linked Fort Simcoe State Park in the west to White Swan and Toppenish in the east...
until 1991. After leaving Toppenish in a northwestern direction, the highway parallels the Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
–Pasco route of the BNSF Railway and the Interstate 82
Interstate 82
Interstate 82 is a Interstate Highway that extends from I-90 in Ellensburg, Washington to I-84 near Umatilla, Oregon in the United States. In the state of Washington, it serves the cities of Ellensburg, Yakima, and the Tri Cities , and in Oregon, it serves Umatilla and Hermiston...
(I-82) – US 12 concurrency briefly past Wapato
Wapato, Washington
Wapato is a city in Yakima County, Washington, United States. The population was 4,997 at the 2010 census.-History:The town was originally founded in 1885 by Indian Postmaster Alexander McCredy as a railroad stop on the Northern Pacific Railroad as Simcoe, Washington...
and some minor roads to also parallel the Yakima River
Yakima River
The Yakima River is a tributary of the Columbia River in south central and eastern Washington State, named for the indigenous Yakama people. The length of the river from headwaters to mouth is , with an average drop of .-Course:...
and enter Union Gap, where the roadway joins the I-82 and US 12 concurrency.
Yakima, Washington
Yakima is an American city southeast of Mount Rainier National Park and the county seat of Yakima County, Washington, United States, and the eighth largest city by population in the state itself. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 91,196 and a metropolitan population of...
, including Valley Mall Boulevard at exit 36, SR 24 and Nob Hill Boulevard at exit 34, Terrace Heights Way and Yakima Avenue at exit 33; at exit 31, US 12 ends its 31.35 miles (50.45 km) long concurrency at the southern terminus of SR 823
Washington State Route 823
State Route 823 is a state highway in Yakima County in the U.S. state of Washington. It runs for from a junction with Interstate 82, through the streets of Selah northward to a junction with State Route 821, which is also known as Canyon Road and Firing Center Road...
. After leaving Yakima, the highway enters Selah
Selah, Washington
Selah is a city in Yakima County, Washington, United States. The population was 7,147 at the 2010 census.-History:Selah was officially incorporated on April 3, 1919. The government is a Strong Mayor/Council form. The Tree Top apple processor co-operative has its headquarters and two processing...
and interchanges with SR 823 and Rest Haven Road and then later leaves the city after interchanging Selah Road to cross Selah Creek on the Fred G. Redmon Bridge
Fred G. Redmon Bridge
The Fred G. Redmon Bridge, also known as the Selah Creek Bridge, is a twin arch bridge that spans Selah Creek near Selah, Washington.-Construction:...
. Approaching Ellensburg
Ellensburg, Washington
Ellensburg is a city in, and the county seat of, Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 18,174 at the 2010 census. The population was 18,250 at 2011 Estimate from Office of Financial Management. Ellensburg is located just east of the Cascade Range on I-90 and is known as the...
, the roadway interchanges with SR 821
Washington State Route 821
State Route 821, also known as Canyon Road, is a state highway in Washington. It runs from an intersection with Interstate 82 north of Selah to another junction with I-82 south of Ellensburg. The total length of SR 821 is .-Route description:...
at exit 26, Military Road at exit 11 and the northern end of SR 821 at exit 3 before entering Ellensburg. I-82 later ends its 37.81 miles (60.85 km) concurrency and route at I-90
Interstate 90 in Washington
Interstate 90 , a transcontinental Interstate Highway from Seattle, Washington, to Boston, Massachusetts, crosses the state of Washington before crossing the Idaho state line between Spokane and Post Falls...
, were a brief concurrency begins.
The I-90 concurrency begins at exit 110, which is a trumpet interchange. Then, I-90 / US 97 interchanges Canyon Road at exit 109 and then US 97 leaves the 19.73 miles (31.75 km) concurrency at exit 106. From I-90, the highway turns northwest, passing SR 10 southeast of Thorp
Thorp, Washington
Thorp is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 240 at the 2010 census...
, a railroad track owned by BNSF Railway, and SR 970 in Virden to Blewett Pass
Blewett Pass
Blewett Pass , is a mountain pass in the Cascades in Washington state crossed by U.S. Highway 97. Named for Edward Blewett, a Seattle mining promoter of the 1880s, it lies on the route of the historical Yellowstone Trail....
, where US 97 crosses the Cascades
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
. At Peshastin
Peshastin, Washington
Peshastin is a small unincorporated community in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The community's roots are found in the 'Peshastin Ditch' dug by pioneers beginning in 1889. This ditch was an important part of the overall irrigation system in the area, delivering water to the orchards on...
, the roadway starts its 27.98 miles (45.03 km) concurrency with US 2
U.S. Route 2 in Washington
U.S. Route 2 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that has a western segment that runs from Everett, Washington, to the Upper Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. In Washington, it is a state highway that begins at in Downtown Everett. The of US 2 that lie within...
at a diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
.
From Peshastin, US 2 / US 97 parallels another BNSF route and passes Dryden
Dryden, Washington
Dryden is a small unincorporated community in Chelan County, Washington, United States. It is situated along the Wenatchee River in the fertile Wenatchee Valley between the towns of Cashmere and Leavenworth...
and Cashmere
Cashmere, Washington
Cashmere is a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Wenatchee–East Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,060 at the 2010 census.-Early people:...
before entering Wenatchee
Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and is the largest city and county seat of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925...
and intersecting Washington State Route 285
Washington State Route 285
State Route 285 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington. It follows the old route of U.S. Route 2 through Wenatchee.-Major intersections:-References:...
and later US 97 Alternate. After the intersection with US 97 Alternate, which is actually a partial cloverleaf interchange, the roadway crosses the Columbia River on the Richard Odabashian Bridge into East Wenatchee
East Wenatchee, Washington
East Wenatchee is a city in Douglas County, Washington, United States along the northern banks of the Columbia River. The population at the 2010 census was 13,190, a 129.1% increase over the 2000 census....
, where it intersects SR 28, turns north and starts to parallel the Wenatchee—Oroville
Oroville, Washington
Oroville is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,686 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Oroville is located at ....
route of the Cascade and Columbia River Railroad
Cascade and Columbia River Railroad
The Cascade and Columbia River Railroad is a short line railroad that interchanges with BNSF Railway in Wenatchee, Washington and runs north to Oroville...
. After paralleling the Columbia River, US 2 leaves the concurrency at Orondo
Orondo, Washington
Orondo is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Wenatchee–East Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population of the area although not a CDP is about 500....
. The road continues north and later east along the Columbia River from Orondo to Chelan Falls
Chelan Falls, Washington
Chelan Falls is an unincorporated community in Chelan County, Washington, United States. Chelan Falls is located on the Columbia River at the mouth of the Chelan River, south-southeast of Chelan. Chelan Falls has a post office with ZIP code 98817....
, where US 97 once again crosses the Columbia River, on the Beebe Bridge
Beebe Bridge
The Beebe Bridge is a two-lane, steel highway bridge crossing the Columbia River at Chelan Falls, Washington. Located three miles east of Lake Chelan, the bridge is part of U.S. Route 97 and averages 5000 vehicle crossings per day....
and then intersects SR 150
Washington State Route 150
State Route 150 is a state highway that connects Chelan, Washington and Manson, Washington. The highway runs parallel to and near Lake Chelan. The highway is long.- Major Intersections :-References:...
. After leaving Chelan Falls, the highway follows the Columbia River and passes the northern terminus of US 97 Alternate, which goes west to Chelan
Chelan, Washington
Chelan is a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,890 at the 2010 census. It sits on the southeast tip of Lake Chelan, where the lake flows into the Chelan River....
, and continues north to intersect SR 153
Washington State Route 153
State Route 153 is a highway in Okanogan County, Washington that runs along the Methow River from Pateros to Twisp. The highway is a part of the Cascade Loop, Washington state's scenic loop highway.-External links:***...
south of Pateros
Pateros, Washington
Pateros is a city in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 643 at the 2000 census and increased 3.7% to 667 in the 2010 census.-History:Pateros was originally established as Ive's Landing in around 1886 by Lee Ives...
. After leaving the city, the roadway travels northeast to Brewster
Brewster, Washington
Brewster is a city in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,370 at the 2010 census.-History:In 1811, John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company established Fort Okanogan just north of the present site of Brewster, which was the first American post in Washington...
, where it intersects SR 173
Washington State Route 173
State Route 173 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, running from SR 17 in Bridgeport to US 97 in Brewster.-Route description:...
.
Okanogan River
The Okanogan River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately 115 mi long, in southern British Columbia and north central Washington...
and passes Anderson Field
Anderson Field (Washington)
Anderson Field is a town-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles east of the central business district of Brewster, a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States.- Facilities and aircraft :...
to intersect SR 17 north of Fort Okanogan State Park
Fort Okanogan
Fort Okanogan was founded as a fur trade outpost by John Jacob Astor’s Pacific Fur Company in 1811. It was built at the confluence of the Okanogan and Columbia Rivers, in what is now Okanogan County, Washington...
. From SR 17, the highway parallels the Okanogan River north past Monse and Malott
Malott, Washington
Malott is a small unincorporated community in Okanogan County, Washington, USA. The community sits on the western bank of the Okanogan River and has bridge access to highway 97. It has a general store, bar and church....
to Okanogan
Okanogan, Washington
Okanogan is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,552 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Okanogan County.It has a small commuter airfield, Okanogan Legion Airport - with one paved runway of in length....
, where the roadway enters the Colville Indian Reservation
Colville Indian Reservation
The Colville Indian Reservation is an Indian reservation in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Washington, inhabited and managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, which is recognized by the United States of America as an American Indian Tribe...
and starts a 28.65 miles (46.11 km) long concurrency with SR 20. From the beginning of the concurrency, the road crosses a railroad and intersects SR 155
Washington State Route 155
State Route 155 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, running from U.S. Route 2 in Fordair over Disautel Pass to U.S. Route 97 and State Route 20 in the city of Omak. It is the main north–south route through the area around Grand Coulee Dam.-Route description:State Route 155...
. US 97 / SR 20 then crosses over SR 155 on a bridge and crosses the Okanogan River.
After the crossing, the roadway leaves Omak, along with the Colville Indian Reservation and intersects SR 215
Washington State Route 215
State Route 215 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, running from SR 20 south of Okanogan to SR 20 and US 97 near Omak.-History:Before 1964, SR 215 was part of US 97, which in turn was SSH 16A.-Major intersections:* SR 20* SR 20/US 97...
. From SR 215, the highway continues north past North Omak
North Omak, Washington
North Omak is a census-designated place in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 688 at the 2010 census.-Geography:North Omak is located at ....
and Riverside
Riverside, Washington
Riverside is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 348 at the 2000 census and decreased to 280 at the 2010 census.-History:...
to cross the Okanogan River again and enter Tonasket
Tonasket, Washington
Tonasket is a city in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 994 at the 2000 census and increased 3.8% to 1,032 at the 2010 census.-History:Tonasket was officially incorporated on December 16, 1927...
, where SR 20 leaves the concurrency. After leaving Tonasket, the road continues north along the Okanogan River to Oroville, the last major community on US 97 before the border. The Okanogan River becomes Osoyoos Lake at this point and the highway parallels the lake to the Canadian border, where the roadway becomes British Columbia Highway 97 (BC 97) and continues north towards Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
.
Late 19th and early 20th centuries
The first segment of US 97 to be included in Washington's state highway systemState highways in Washington
In the U.S. state of Washington, the Washington State Department of Transportation maintains a network of over 7000 miles of state highways, including all Interstate and U.S. Highways that pass through the state. The system comprises 8.5% of the state's public road mileage, but carries over half...
was a roadway extending from Wenatchee
Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and is the largest city and county seat of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925...
to Twisp
Twisp, Washington
Twisp is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 938 at the 2000 census and decreased to 919 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Twisp is located at ....
, although the US 97 segment ended in Pateros
Pateros, Washington
Pateros is a city in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 643 at the 2000 census and increased 3.7% to 667 in the 2010 census.-History:Pateros was originally established as Ive's Landing in around 1886 by Lee Ives...
, established in 1897. In 1905, another road from Pateros to Okanogan
Okanogan, Washington
Okanogan is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,552 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Okanogan County.It has a small commuter airfield, Okanogan Legion Airport - with one paved runway of in length....
was added to the system, which would be extended to the Canadian border in 1907. That roadway from Wenatchee to Canada, was named the Wenatchee-Oroville Road and numbered State Road 10. A different road, located along the Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
state line on the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
, was established as State Road 8, the Columbia River Road and ran north from Maryhill to Goldendale
Goldendale, Washington
Goldendale is a rural agricultural town in and the county seat of Klickitat County, Washington, United States, near the Columbia River Gorge. The population within city limits was 3,760 at the 2000 census and 3,407, a 9.4% decrease at the 2010 census. A nationally known point of interest is north...
.
Six years later, in 1913, State Road 7 was created on a Virden–Wenatchee route. The Inland Empire Highway was established in 1915 and the section it overlapped with present-day US 97 ran from Buena
Buena, Washington
Buena is an unincorporated community in Yakima County, with a 2010 cenus population of 990. The community was not recognized in the 2000 census figures. Washington, United States. Buena is north of Toppenish. Buena has a post office with ZIP code 98921....
northwest to Ellensburg
Ellensburg, Washington
Ellensburg is a city in, and the county seat of, Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 18,174 at the 2010 census. The population was 18,250 at 2011 Estimate from Office of Financial Management. Ellensburg is located just east of the Cascade Range on I-90 and is known as the...
. State Road 2 replaced State Road 7 in 1919 and a branch, the Southern Division of the Sunset Highway, was established in 1919 and ran south from State Road 2 at Virden to Ellensburg.
During the early 1920s, a ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
was established over the Columbia River between Biggs Junction, Oregon
Biggs Junction, Oregon
Biggs Junction is an unincorporated community in Sherman County, Oregon, United States. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Biggs Junction as a census-designated place...
and Maryhill. State Road 8 between Goldendale and Buena was established in 1923. US 97 was established along with the rest of the U.S. routes
United States Numbered Highways
The system of United States Numbered Highways is an integrated system of roads and highways in the United States numbered within a nationwide grid...
in 1926, including US 10
U.S. Route 10
U.S. Route 10 is an east–west United States highway formed in 1926. Though it never became the cross-country highway suggested by the "0" as the last digit of its route number, U.S...
and US 410
U.S. Route 410
U.S. Route 410 was one of the west–east state highways. It ran from an intersection with US 101 in Aberdeen, Washington to US 95 in Lewiston, Idaho. The route had concurrencies with SR 8, US 99, and US 395. Even though the number indicates that US 410 was a spur of U.S. Route 10, US 410 never...
, which were concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with US 97. All state roads became Primary state highways in 1937 and they kept their numbers; a branch of Primary State Highway 8 (PSH 8) was also established, connecting the Maryhill ferry to PSH 8 in Maryhill. Another concurrency was added in 1946, when US 2
U.S. Route 2 in Washington
U.S. Route 2 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that has a western segment that runs from Everett, Washington, to the Upper Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. In Washington, it is a state highway that begins at in Downtown Everett. The of US 2 that lie within...
was extended west, co-signed with US 97 between Peshastin
Peshastin, Washington
Peshastin is a small unincorporated community in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The community's roots are found in the 'Peshastin Ditch' dug by pioneers beginning in 1889. This ditch was an important part of the overall irrigation system in the area, delivering water to the orchards on...
and Wenatchee.
Late 20th century
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
signed the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956
Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956
The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, popularly known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act , was enacted on June 29, 1956, when Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law...
into law, establishing a system of freeways that would later become the Interstate Highway System
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
. Included in the system were Interstate 82
Interstate 82
Interstate 82 is a Interstate Highway that extends from I-90 in Ellensburg, Washington to I-84 near Umatilla, Oregon in the United States. In the state of Washington, it serves the cities of Ellensburg, Yakima, and the Tri Cities , and in Oregon, it serves Umatilla and Hermiston...
(I-82) and I-90
Interstate 90 in Washington
Interstate 90 , a transcontinental Interstate Highway from Seattle, Washington, to Boston, Massachusetts, crosses the state of Washington before crossing the Idaho state line between Spokane and Post Falls...
, which were to be concurrent with US 97. The Biggs Rapids Bridge (later renamed to the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, also known as the Biggs Rapids Bridge, is a steel truss bridge that carries U.S. Highway 97 across the Columbia River between Biggs Junction, Oregon in Sherman County and Maryhill, Washington in Klickitat County...
) was opened on 1 November 1962, replacing the ferry that had been operating on the route since the early 1920s. A new system of highways
State highways in Washington
In the U.S. state of Washington, the Washington State Department of Transportation maintains a network of over 7000 miles of state highways, including all Interstate and U.S. Highways that pass through the state. The system comprises 8.5% of the state's public road mileage, but carries over half...
was introduced in 1964 and ultimately caused US 97 to replace the Primary state highways.
US 410 was replaced by a western extension of US 12
U.S. Route 12 in Washington
U.S. Route 12 is a major east-west U.S. Highway, running from Aberdeen, Washington, to Detroit, Michigan. It spans across the state of Washington, and is the only numbered highway to span the entire state from west to east, starting near the Pacific Ocean, and crossing the Idaho state line near...
in 1967, when the highway's western terminus was moved to Aberdeen
Aberdeen, Washington
Aberdeen is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States, founded by Samuel Benn in 1884. Aberdeen was incorporated on May 12, 1890. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis...
. In 1973, a segment of US 97 between Selah
Selah, Washington
Selah is a city in Yakima County, Washington, United States. The population was 7,147 at the 2010 census.-History:Selah was officially incorporated on April 3, 1919. The government is a Strong Mayor/Council form. The Tree Top apple processor co-operative has its headquarters and two processing...
and Ellensburg was realigned east away from the Yakima River
Yakima River
The Yakima River is a tributary of the Columbia River in south central and eastern Washington State, named for the indigenous Yakama people. The length of the river from headwaters to mouth is , with an average drop of .-Course:...
and onto I-82, while the former route became SR 821
Washington State Route 821
State Route 821, also known as Canyon Road, is a state highway in Washington. It runs from an intersection with Interstate 82 north of Selah to another junction with I-82 south of Ellensburg. The total length of SR 821 is .-Route description:...
. Between US 97 / US 10, which would later be decommissioned by 1970, near Thorp
Thorp, Washington
Thorp is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 240 at the 2010 census...
and US 97 in Virden, there was a SR 131
Washington State Route 131
State Route 131 is a short Washington state highway in Lewis County, extending from the northern terminus of at the boundary of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to in Randle...
. In 1975, to reduce the SR 10 concurrency, US 97 replaced SR 131 and the old route became SR 10 and SR 970. SR 131 would later be routed on another route in the Randle
Randle, Washington
Randle is an unincorporated community in extreme eastern Lewis County, Washington, United States. Randle is located on U.S. Route 12 and is notable as the northeastern access point to the Mount St. Helens Windy Ridge viewpoint, by way of forest service roads that cut through the Gifford Pinchot...
area in 1991. Within Selah, US 97 was also moved onto I-82 away from the city, so the old route became SR 823
Washington State Route 823
State Route 823 is a state highway in Yakima County in the U.S. state of Washington. It runs for from a junction with Interstate 82, through the streets of Selah northward to a junction with State Route 821, which is also known as Canyon Road and Firing Center Road...
in 1984. Prior to 1987, US 97 ran on the west side of the Columbia River between Wenatchee and Chelan
Chelan, Washington
Chelan is a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,890 at the 2010 census. It sits on the southeast tip of Lake Chelan, where the lake flows into the Chelan River....
, while SR 151 ran on the east side. US 97 was moved onto SR 151 in 1987 and the old US 97 became US 97 Alternate.
Early 21st century
Beginning in 2006, the Washington State Department of TransportationWashington State Department of Transportation
The Washington State Department of Transportation , was established in 1905. The agency, led by a Secretary and overseen by the Governor, is a Washington governmental agency that constructs, maintains, and regulates the use of the state's transportation infrastructure...
(WSDOT) has completed five construction projects on the US 97 corridor, ranging from a bridge deck replacement in Maryhill to repaving the roadway between Oroville
Oroville, Washington
Oroville is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,686 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Oroville is located at ....
area and Canada. Construction on a three-part project to install guardrail
Guardrail
Guardrail can refer to*Guard rails installed on road sides for automobile safety*RC-12 Guardrail, a U.S. Army intelligence-gathering aircraft based on the C-12 Huron*Roof edge protection, rails installed on roofs to protect construction and roofing workers...
s on dangerous portions of the highway began on May 16, 2006. The project was finished on 17 August 2006 and improved a 32 miles (51 km) segment near Blewett Pass
Blewett Pass
Blewett Pass , is a mountain pass in the Cascades in Washington state crossed by U.S. Highway 97. Named for Edward Blewett, a Seattle mining promoter of the 1880s, it lies on the route of the historical Yellowstone Trail....
, a 18 miles (29 km) section in the Colville Indian Reservation
Colville Indian Reservation
The Colville Indian Reservation is an Indian reservation in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Washington, inhabited and managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, which is recognized by the United States of America as an American Indian Tribe...
and a 20 miles (32.19 km) segment between Riverside
Riverside, Washington
Riverside is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 348 at the 2000 census and decreased to 280 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and Oroville.
Prior to 5 October 2006, US 197
U.S. Route 197
U.S. Route 197 is a north–south U.S. Route serving Central Oregon and the Columbia Gorge. The route was added in the 1950s. The southern terminus of US 197 is at an intersection with U.S. Route 97 west of Shaniko, Oregon. From US 97, US 197 traverses Wasco County and the cities of Maupin, Tygh...
, an auxiliary route
Auxiliary route
In road transportation, a special route is a prefixed and/or suffixed numbered road that forms a loop or spur of a more dominant route of the same route number and system. The dominant route is generally referred to as the "parent" or "mainline", while special routes are also unofficially or...
of US 97, ended at US 97, co-signed with SR 14, in Maryhill. On 5 October, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
AASHTO, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, is a standards setting body which publishes specifications, test protocols and guidelines which are used in highway design and construction throughout the United States...
(AASHTO) decommissioned US 197 between Dallesport
Dallesport, Washington
Dallesport is a census-designated place in Klickitat County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,202 at the 2010 census.-History:...
and Maryhill. Between 29 May and 28 September 2007, WSDOT repaved the roadway between Cordell, located south of Oroville, and the Canadian border. In July 2008, WSDOT completed installing guardrails on the road in Klickitat County. Between 11 August and December 5, 2008, WSDOT added sidewalks and illumination along a 0.59 mile (0.9495106 km) long stretch of the highway between Main Street and SR 173
Washington State Route 173
State Route 173 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, running from SR 17 in Bridgeport to US 97 in Brewster.-Route description:...
in Brewster
Brewster, Washington
Brewster is a city in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,370 at the 2010 census.-History:In 1811, John Jacob Astor's Pacific Fur Company established Fort Okanogan just north of the present site of Brewster, which was the first American post in Washington...
.
Since the opening of the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge in 1962, the bridge has used a lightweight concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
and asphalt
Asphalt
Asphalt or , also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits, it is a substance classed as a pitch...
bridge deck
Deck (bridge)
A bridge deck or road bed is the roadway, or the pedestrian walkway, surface of a bridge. It is not to be confused with any deck of a ship.The deck may be of concrete,wood which in turn may be covered with asphalt concrete or other pavement...
. Now, the bridge is a heavily used truck route and requires a heavy concrete deck. In late 2006, a replacement project was planned and the estimated $16 million USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
cost was split between the governments of Washington and Oregon. The whole bridge was replaced by WSDOT, including the Oregon side. The project was accelerated to Fall 2007, but the bridge wasn't closed until 2 January 2008. During construction on 15 January, approximately 8:00 (PST), a worker was seriously injured after an excavator
Excavator
Excavators are heavy construction equipment consisting of a boom, stick, bucket and cab on a rotating platform . The house sits atop an undercarriage with tracks or wheels. A cable-operated excavator uses winches and steel ropes to accomplish the movements. They are a natural progression from the...
fell into the Columbia River. After the area was cleaned, the project resumed on 23 January and a worker died after falling off the bridge on February 26. By April, half of the new deck was complete and the bridge was reopened on May 19, at 18:00 (PST). Although the bridge was reopened, it was once again closed on 3 September for more repairs. The bridge was reopened on 24 December and all roadwork was completed on 23 March 2009.
Future projects
As of 2009, eight projects on the corridor have not been completed yet and some are currently under construction. Between 27 April and 30 June, completed the second phase of emergency flood repairs to US 97 at Blewett PassBlewett Pass
Blewett Pass , is a mountain pass in the Cascades in Washington state crossed by U.S. Highway 97. Named for Edward Blewett, a Seattle mining promoter of the 1880s, it lies on the route of the historical Yellowstone Trail....
because the 5 – 6 January floods washed out the roadway. The third and final phase is set to begin on August 17. The Janis Bridge was first constructed and completed in 1957 and on 15 June 2009, a construction project to the rehabilitate the bridge deck begam. Construction will cease on 27 July. On 22 June, construction began on a project to install a new traffic signal at the SR 155
Washington State Route 155
State Route 155 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, running from U.S. Route 2 in Fordair over Disautel Pass to U.S. Route 97 and State Route 20 in the city of Omak. It is the main north–south route through the area around Grand Coulee Dam.-Route description:State Route 155...
intersection in Okanogan, two variable-message signs and two traffic camera
Traffic camera
A traffic camera is a video camera which observes vehicular traffic on a road. Typically, these are put along major roads such as highways, freeways, motorways, autoroutes and expressways, as well as arterial roads, and are connected with optical fibers buried alongside or even under the road,...
s near the Canadian border. On 27 July, WSDOT will start to fix an unstable slope north of Blewett Pass, 8 miles (13 km) south of the US 2 intersection. Another project set to begin on 27 July to fix an unstable slope on US 97 near Blewett Pass. WSDOT will add a passing lane on the highway at Blewett Pass in summer 2010. The bridge over Satus Creek, located within the Yakima Indian Reservation in Klickitat County will be replaced in 2010. A repaving project between Orondo and Chelan Falls has been put on hold until 2016, originally scheduled for 2010.
Maryhill couplet
At the intersection with State Route 14 Spur (SR 14 Spur) in Maryhill, US 97 becomes split into two different roadways and the 0.09 mile (0.1448406 km) long southbound road that intersects the spur is identified as a couplet. The busiest section of the US 97 couplet in 2007 was at the US 97 intersection, with a daily average of 2,000 motorists.Alternate route
US 97 Alternate is a 39.35 miles (63.33 km) long alternate routeAlternate route
An official alternate route is a special route in the United States that provides an alternate alignment for a highway. They are loop roads and found in many road systems in the United States including the U.S. Route system and various state route systems...
that extends from the US 97 / US 2
U.S. Route 2 in Washington
U.S. Route 2 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that has a western segment that runs from Everett, Washington, to the Upper Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. In Washington, it is a state highway that begins at in Downtown Everett. The of US 2 that lie within...
concurrency
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
north of Wenatchee
Wenatchee, Washington
Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington and is the largest city and county seat of Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population within the city limits in 2010 was 31,925...
along the west side of the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
to US 97 east of Chelan
Chelan, Washington
Chelan is a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,890 at the 2010 census. It sits on the southeast tip of Lake Chelan, where the lake flows into the Chelan River....
, completely in Chelan County. The highway begins at a partial cloverleaf interchange with US 97 / US 2 north of Wenatchee and west of the Richard Odabashian Bridge over the Columbia River. After leaving the interchange, the roadway parallels the eastern boundary of the Wenatchee National Forest
Wenatchee National Forest
Wenatchee National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in Washington. With an area of 1,735,394 acres , it extends about 137 miles along the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range of Washington, USA from Okanogan National Forest to Gifford Pinchot National Forest...
to cross the Entiat River
Entiat River
The Entiat River is a tributary of the Columbia River, joining the Columbia near Entiat. The USGS lists two variant names for the Entiat River: En-ti-at-kwa River and Entiatqua River. En-ti-at-kwa is noted as being the original "Indian name", meaning "rapid water"...
and pass Entiat
Entiat, Washington
Entiat is a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Wenatchee–East Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,112 at the 2010 census.-History:Entiat was officially incorporated on April 25, 1944...
before intersecting SR 971
Washington State Route 971
State Route 971 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, running from US 97 Alternate west of Chelan to Lake Chelan State Park and back to US 97 Alternate farther southwest of Chelan. State Route 971 has the highest highway number in the state....
twice, the second time being on the southern shores of Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan is a narrow, 55-mile-long lake in Chelan County, northern Washington state, U.S. It is the largest natural lake in Washington state...
. The road continues east across the Chelan River
Chelan River
The Chelan River is a tributary of the Columbia River, in the U.S. state of Washington. Just long, it is the shortest river in Washington. Lake Chelan Dam is located at the river's source: the outlet of Lake Chelan. Nearly the entire river's flow is diverted to the Lake Chelan Powerhouse, ...
into Chelan
Chelan, Washington
Chelan is a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,890 at the 2010 census. It sits on the southeast tip of Lake Chelan, where the lake flows into the Chelan River....
as various streets, such as Woodin Avenue, Webster Avenue and Saunders Street before intersecting SR 150
Washington State Route 150
State Route 150 is a state highway that connects Chelan, Washington and Manson, Washington. The highway runs parallel to and near Lake Chelan. The highway is long.- Major Intersections :-References:...
, leaving Chelan, passing Lake Chelan Airport
Lake Chelan Airport
Lake Chelan Airport , formerly known as Chelan Municipal Airport, is a public use airport located three nautical miles northeast of the central business district of Chelan, a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The airport is owned by the City of Chelan/Port of Chelan...
and ending at US 97. In 1897, US 97 Alternate was a part of a Wenatchee–Twisp
Twisp, Washington
Twisp is a town in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. The population was 938 at the 2000 census and decreased to 919 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Twisp is located at ....
highway. That highway became a part of US 97 in 1926 and later US 97 Alternate in 1987 when US 97 was moved east of the river over SR 151. The busiest section of US 97 Alternate in 2007 was north of the US 97 / US 2 interchange, with a daily average of 9,700 motorists.
Orondo spur
US 97 Spur is a 0.26 mile (0.4184284 km) long spur routeSpur route
A spur route is a short road forming a branch from a longer, more important route . A bypass or beltway is never considered a true spur route as it typically reconnects with the major road...
that connects US 97 north of the terminus of the US 2 concurrency to US 2 east of the end of the concurrency, completely located in Orondo
Orondo, Washington
Orondo is an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Wenatchee–East Wenatchee Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population of the area although not a CDP is about 500....
, a community in Douglas County. The busiest section of US 97 Spur in 2007 was at the US 97 intersection, with a daily average of 250 motorists.
Major intersections
For a full list of interchanges on the I-82 overlap, see Interstate 82.| County | Location | Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klickitat | Maryhill | 0.00 | Sam Hill Memorial Bridge Sam Hill Memorial Bridge The Sam Hill Memorial Bridge, also known as the Biggs Rapids Bridge, is a steel truss bridge that carries U.S. Highway 97 across the Columbia River between Biggs Junction, Oregon in Sherman County and Maryhill, Washington in Klickitat County... over the Columbia River Columbia River The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state... |
||
| 2.38 | South end of SR 14 overlap | ||||
| 2.80 | North end of SR 14 overlap | ||||
| Goldendale | 13.16 | ||||
| Yakima | 61.30 | ||||
| 61.84 | Fort Road – Fort Simcoe State Park | Former SR 220 | |||
| 75.99 | Main Street – Union Gap Union Gap, Washington Union Gap is a city in Yakima County, Washington, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,047.-History:The city of Union Gap was originally named Yakima and was officially incorporated on November 23, 1883... |
Interchange; northbound exit and southbound entrance | |||
| 76.18 | 37 | , Pendleton | Interchange; south end of I-82/US 12 overlap; southbound exit and northbound entrance | ||
| Yakima | 81.76 | 31 | Interchange; north end of US 12 overlap | ||
| Kittitas | 113.99 | 110 | Interchange; north end of I-82 overlap; south end of I-90 overlap | ||
| Ellensburg | 114.50 | 109 | Canyon Road – Ellensburg | Interchange | |
| 118.80 | 106 | Interchange; north end of I-90 overlap | |||
| 121.51 | |||||
| 134.72 | |||||
| Chelan | 170.05 | South end of US 2 overlap | |||
| 184.31 | Interchange | ||||
| 184.57 | Interchange | ||||
| Douglas | 193.16 | ||||
| 198.16 | North end of US 2 overlap | ||||
| Chelan | 220.26 | ||||
| 225.31 | |||||
| Okanogan | 238.54 | ||||
| Brewster | 245.57 | ||||
| 250.36 | |||||
| 271.33 | South end of SR 20 overlap | ||||
| Omak | 276.39 | ||||
| 277.47 | |||||
| Tonasket | 299.97 | North end of SR 20 overlap | |||
| 321.62 | Canadian border | ||||
| Continues as British Columbia Highway 97 | |||||