Washington State Route 409
Encyclopedia
State Route 409 is a short Washington state highway
in Wahkiakum County. The highway runs north from the Wahkiakum County Ferry on Puget Island to SR 4 in the county seat
of Cathlamet
over a distance of 3.84 miles (6.18 km). The route connects Westport, Oregon
, which is served by the county ferry, and Cathlamet. The highway was referred to as Secondary State Highway 12F (SSH 12F) from 1943 until 1964.
SR 409 crosses the Cathlamet Channel on the Julia Butler Hansen Bridge
, completed in August 1939. The bridge, named after former U.S. representative
Julia Butler Hansen
, who served from 1960 until 1974 representing the third congressional district
, which included Wahkiakum County.
of Cathlamet
. The route connects Westport, Oregon
, which is served by the county ferry, and Cathlamet. The Washington State Department of Transportation
(WSDOT) found in 2007 that, on average, more than 2,800 motorists utilize the road daily south of the northern terminus in Cathlamet, making the highway the second busiest state route in the county, after SR 4 at Boege Road, which more than 4,100 motorists utilize daily.
SR 409 originates at the ferry dock on Puget Island which serves as the northern end of the Wahkiakum County Ferry. From the dock, the road travels north past the island's interior, before turning northwest to parallel the Cathlamet Channel. After intersecting Little Island Road, the highway immediately turns onto the Julia Butler Hansen Bridge
spanning over the Cathlamet Channel. Once SR 409 exits off the bridge in Cathlamet, it becomes Front Street. Later, after intersecting River Street and Columbia Street, the highway becomes Main Street, the designation used from the intersection point to SR 4.
The year-round Wahkiakum County Ferry, designated Wahkiakum, runs from Westport, Oregon
to the southern terminus of SR 409 at Puget Island. The ferry connects SR 409 to a road that connects to U.S. Route 30, which runs 477.02 miles (767.69 km) across Oregon; Wahkiakum County began running the ferry in 1962, on a route from Westport to Puget Island. The ferry travels more than eighteen trips per day, and runs from 5:00 am to 10:15 pm and holds up to nine vehicles. The ferry costs 50¢ for foot passengers, $1 for bicycles, $2 for motorcycles, and $3 for passenger cars and other vehicles under 20 feet (6.1 m). Vehicles over 20 feet (6.1 m) cannot travel on the ferry; motorhomes, large trucks and trailers are allowed on the ferry for a fare determined by length. Frequent Traveler Tickets can be purchased for $40 (22 trips) and $75 (44 trips) for vehicles under 20 feet (6.1 m). The first ferry launched in June 1925, when Walter Coates bought two ferries and began to operate them on two different routes, including the current one and a route from Puget Island to Cathlamet. The county later replaced the Puget Island – Cathlamet route with the Puget Island – Cathlamet Bridge in 1939.
In June 1925, Walter Coates began a ferry service across the Cathlamet Channel, from Puget Island
to Cathlamet
. The original ferry was later replaced by the Cathlamet, which could load cars. In 1932, Coates sold the ferry service, fearing that the newly completed Ocean Beach Highway, soon to be SR 4, would press drivers to the competing Astoria–Megler Ferry. In 1939, the year the Julia Butler Hansen Bridge
opened, ferry service ceased on the Puget Island – Cathlamet run.
The Julia Butler Hansen Bridge, which currently carries the route of SR 409, which will be designated in 1964, from Puget Island to Cathlamet, opened in August 1939. The bridge, initially named the Puget Island – Cathlamet Bridge, was later renamed to honor Julia Butler Hansen
, who served in the Washington House of Representatives
from 1939 until 1960, and U.S. representative
for the third congressional district
from 1960 until 1974.
Lacey V. Murrow, R. W. Finke and Clark H. Eldridge designed the bridge, which spanned 2433 feet (741.6 m) and consisted of four steel spans when first constructed. Steel comprises the majority of the truss bridge's
structure. President
Franklin D. Roosevelt
commenced the five day long celebration of the bridge's opening with a ribbon cutting, remotely controlled from the White House
via telegraph.
, which is still in use today.
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...
in Wahkiakum County. The highway runs north from the Wahkiakum County Ferry on Puget Island to SR 4 in the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Cathlamet
Cathlamet, Washington
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 565 people, 246 households, and 138 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,426.2 people per square mile . There were 278 housing units at an average density of 701.7 per square mile...
over a distance of 3.84 miles (6.18 km). The route connects Westport, Oregon
Westport, Oregon
Westport is an unincorporated community on the Columbia River in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Westport is connected to Cathlamet, Washington across the river via the Wahkiakum County Ferry to Puget Island. U.S...
, which is served by the county ferry, and Cathlamet. The highway was referred to as Secondary State Highway 12F (SSH 12F) from 1943 until 1964.
SR 409 crosses the Cathlamet Channel on the Julia Butler Hansen Bridge
Julia Butler Hansen Bridge
The Julia Butler Hansen Bridge in Wahkiakum County, Washington connects Cathlamet to Puget Island. It spans the Cathlamet Channel of the Columbia River. Ferry Wahkiakum connects Puget Island to Westport, Oregon...
, completed in August 1939. The bridge, named after former U.S. representative
United States Congressional Delegations from Washington
These are tables of congressional delegations from the state of Washington to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives.-United States Senate:-Delegates from Washington Territory:-Members from Washington State:...
Julia Butler Hansen
Julia Butler Hansen
Julia Butler Hansen , born Julia Caroline Butler, June 14, 1907, in Portland, Oregon, USA, served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1960-1974. She represented Washington's Third Congressional District as a Democrat. She was the second woman and first Democratic woman...
, who served from 1960 until 1974 representing the third congressional district
Washington's 3rd congressional district
Washington's 3rd congressional district encompasses the southernmost portion of Western Washington, from Olympia south to the Columbia River. It includes the counties of Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, and Clark, and the majority of Thurston and Skamania counties...
, which included Wahkiakum County.
Route description
SR 409 goes on a 3.84 miles (6.18 km) route north from the northern ferry dock of the Wahkiakum County Ferry on Puget Island, to SR 4, also referred to as the Ocean Beach Highway, in the county seatCounty seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Cathlamet
Cathlamet, Washington
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 565 people, 246 households, and 138 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,426.2 people per square mile . There were 278 housing units at an average density of 701.7 per square mile...
. The route connects Westport, Oregon
Westport, Oregon
Westport is an unincorporated community on the Columbia River in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Westport is connected to Cathlamet, Washington across the river via the Wahkiakum County Ferry to Puget Island. U.S...
, which is served by the county ferry, and Cathlamet. The Washington State Department of Transportation
Washington 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) found in 2007 that, on average, more than 2,800 motorists utilize the road daily south of the northern terminus in Cathlamet, making the highway the second busiest state route in the county, after SR 4 at Boege Road, which more than 4,100 motorists utilize daily.
SR 409 originates at the ferry dock on Puget Island which serves as the northern end of the Wahkiakum County Ferry. From the dock, the road travels north past the island's interior, before turning northwest to parallel the Cathlamet Channel. After intersecting Little Island Road, the highway immediately turns onto the Julia Butler Hansen Bridge
Julia Butler Hansen Bridge
The Julia Butler Hansen Bridge in Wahkiakum County, Washington connects Cathlamet to Puget Island. It spans the Cathlamet Channel of the Columbia River. Ferry Wahkiakum connects Puget Island to Westport, Oregon...
spanning over the Cathlamet Channel. Once SR 409 exits off the bridge in Cathlamet, it becomes Front Street. Later, after intersecting River Street and Columbia Street, the highway becomes Main Street, the designation used from the intersection point to SR 4.
Ferry
Westport, Oregon
Westport is an unincorporated community on the Columbia River in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Westport is connected to Cathlamet, Washington across the river via the Wahkiakum County Ferry to Puget Island. U.S...
to the southern terminus of SR 409 at Puget Island. The ferry connects SR 409 to a road that connects to U.S. Route 30, which runs 477.02 miles (767.69 km) across Oregon; Wahkiakum County began running the ferry in 1962, on a route from Westport to Puget Island. The ferry travels more than eighteen trips per day, and runs from 5:00 am to 10:15 pm and holds up to nine vehicles. The ferry costs 50¢ for foot passengers, $1 for bicycles, $2 for motorcycles, and $3 for passenger cars and other vehicles under 20 feet (6.1 m). Vehicles over 20 feet (6.1 m) cannot travel on the ferry; motorhomes, large trucks and trailers are allowed on the ferry for a fare determined by length. Frequent Traveler Tickets can be purchased for $40 (22 trips) and $75 (44 trips) for vehicles under 20 feet (6.1 m). The first ferry launched in June 1925, when Walter Coates bought two ferries and began to operate them on two different routes, including the current one and a route from Puget Island to Cathlamet. The county later replaced the Puget Island – Cathlamet route with the Puget Island – Cathlamet Bridge in 1939.
Bridge (1925–1939)
Puget Island, Washington
Puget Island is a 19.365 km² island and unincorporated rural community in the Columbia River in Wahkiakum County, Washington, United States. The Julia Butler Hansen Bridge carries State Route 409 across the Cathlamet Channel to connect the island to the town of Cathlamet, Washington...
to Cathlamet
Cathlamet, Washington
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 565 people, 246 households, and 138 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,426.2 people per square mile . There were 278 housing units at an average density of 701.7 per square mile...
. The original ferry was later replaced by the Cathlamet, which could load cars. In 1932, Coates sold the ferry service, fearing that the newly completed Ocean Beach Highway, soon to be SR 4, would press drivers to the competing Astoria–Megler Ferry. In 1939, the year the Julia Butler Hansen Bridge
Julia Butler Hansen Bridge
The Julia Butler Hansen Bridge in Wahkiakum County, Washington connects Cathlamet to Puget Island. It spans the Cathlamet Channel of the Columbia River. Ferry Wahkiakum connects Puget Island to Westport, Oregon...
opened, ferry service ceased on the Puget Island – Cathlamet run.
The Julia Butler Hansen Bridge, which currently carries the route of SR 409, which will be designated in 1964, from Puget Island to Cathlamet, opened in August 1939. The bridge, initially named the Puget Island – Cathlamet Bridge, was later renamed to honor Julia Butler Hansen
Julia Butler Hansen
Julia Butler Hansen , born Julia Caroline Butler, June 14, 1907, in Portland, Oregon, USA, served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1960-1974. She represented Washington's Third Congressional District as a Democrat. She was the second woman and first Democratic woman...
, who served in the Washington House of Representatives
Washington House of Representatives
The Washington House of Representatives is the lower house of the Washington State Legislature, the legislature of the U.S. State of Washington. It is composed of 98 Representatives from 49 districts, each of which elects two members. All members of the House are elected to a two-year term without...
from 1939 until 1960, and U.S. representative
United States Congressional Delegations from Washington
These are tables of congressional delegations from the state of Washington to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives.-United States Senate:-Delegates from Washington Territory:-Members from Washington State:...
for the third congressional district
Washington's 3rd congressional district
Washington's 3rd congressional district encompasses the southernmost portion of Western Washington, from Olympia south to the Columbia River. It includes the counties of Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, and Clark, and the majority of Thurston and Skamania counties...
from 1960 until 1974.
Lacey V. Murrow, R. W. Finke and Clark H. Eldridge designed the bridge, which spanned 2433 feet (741.6 m) and consisted of four steel spans when first constructed. Steel comprises the majority of the truss bridge's
Truss bridge
A truss bridge is a bridge composed of connected elements which may be stressed from tension, compression, or sometimes both in response to dynamic loads. Truss bridges are one of the oldest types of modern bridges...
structure. President
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....
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
commenced the five day long celebration of the bridge's opening with a ribbon cutting, remotely controlled from the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
via telegraph.
Designation (1943–present)
After a reconstruction of the Primary and Secondary Highways in 1943, the road that later became SR 409 was established as Secondary State Highway 12F (SSH 12F). SSH 12F became SR 409 in 1964 during the 1964 highway renumbering, in which the WSDOT replaced the previous system of Primary and Secondary Highways with a new system called State RoutesState 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...
, which is still in use today.
Major intersections
| County | Location | Mile | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wahkiakum | Puget Island | 0.00 | Wahkiakum County Ferry – Westport, OR Westport, Oregon Westport is an unincorporated community on the Columbia River in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Westport is connected to Cathlamet, Washington across the river via the Wahkiakum County Ferry to Puget Island. U.S... |
Southern terminus |
| Cathlamet Cathlamet, Washington -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 565 people, 246 households, and 138 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,426.2 people per square mile . There were 278 housing units at an average density of 701.7 per square mile... |
2.99 | Julia Butler Hansen Bridge Julia Butler Hansen Bridge The Julia Butler Hansen Bridge in Wahkiakum County, Washington connects Cathlamet to Puget Island. It spans the Cathlamet Channel of the Columbia River. Ferry Wahkiakum connects Puget Island to Westport, Oregon... over Cathlamet Channel |
||
| 3.84 | Northern terminus | |||