Washington State Route 526
Boeing Freeway | ||||
Route information | ||||
Auxiliary route of I-5 | ||||
Maintained by WSDOT | ||||
Length | 4.52 mi[1] (7.27 km) | |||
Existed | 1964[2]–present | |||
Tourist routes | Cascade Loop Scenic Byway | |||
Major junctions | ||||
West end | SR 525 in Mukilteo | |||
East end | I-5 / SR 99 / SR 527 in Everett | |||
Location | ||||
Country | United States | |||
State | Washington | |||
County | Snohomish | |||
Highway system | ||||
|
State Route 526 (SR 526), also known as the Boeing Freeway, is a state highway in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The east–west highway travels 4.52 miles (7.27 km) and connects SR 525 in Mukilteo to Interstate 5 (I-5) in southern Everett. The highway serves the Boeing Everett Factory and Paine Field; it also serves as a main route to the city of Mukilteo and the state-run ferry to Whidbey Island.
SR 526 was established during the
Route description
SR 526 begins as 84th Street Southwest at a
Every year, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) conducts a series of surveys on its highways in the state to measure traffic volume. This is expressed in terms of annual average daily traffic (AADT), which is a measure of traffic volume for any average day of the year. In 2013, WSDOT calculated that the busiest section of SR 526 was its interchange with Evergreen Way, carrying 75,000 vehicles, while the least busiest section of the highway was its western terminus at SR 525, carrying 8,500 vehicles.[11] SR 526 is designated as part of the National Highway System for its whole length,[12] classifying it as important to the national economy, defense, and mobility.[13] WSDOT designates the entire route of SR 526 as a Highway of Statewide Significance,[14] which includes highways that connect major communities in the state of Washington.[15]
History
SR 526 was established during the
Planning for a new freeway to carry SR 526 was approved in 1967 during construction of the Boeing factory, which was expected to generate more traffic congestion.[26][27] The route initially used Casino Road, which was a two-lane road between Nelsons Corner in Mukilteo and Beverly Park in Everett; the eastern terminus was located at its intersection with US 99.[28][29] The road was plagued with severe congestion as it was the only major arterial serving the factory at the time; Boeing's selection of the factory site was contingent on the road's reconstruction into a four-lane highway.[30][31] However, the federal Economic Development Administration denied Everett's request for a funding grant towards the highway, leading the state to fund the construction despite facing a budget shortfall itself.[32][33] While the state waited for sufficient funding to commence the project, Boeing constructed a temporary four-lane highway across the factory and parallel to Casino Road in June 1967 to relieve congestion on the latter road; at the same time, the section of Casino Road between Nelsons Corner and the west end of the controlled-access highway section was expanded to four lanes.[33][34]
Construction of the permanent four-lane, 3.5-mile (5.6 km) controlled-access highway section commenced shortly after
When Boeing expanded their factory in the early 1990s to accommodate
Until 2000, SR 526 and 84th St. in Mukilteo was in a continuous alignment.
There were proposals in the 1980s and 1990s to realign SR 525 such that it would intersect with SR 526 near the head of Japanese Gulch. The realignment was intended to facilitate a new ferry dock in Mukilteo and to avoid the population center of the city. While the plans for the new dock were finalized, no plans were presented for such a connection, aside from the construction of SR 525 Spur.[46][47][49]
In response to the increased usage of SR 526, WSDOT considered a complete redesign of the route in 2017. However, after consulting with an advisory group composed of representatives from local city governments, transit agencies, and lobbying firms, WSDOT elected to make improvements to the section between Seaway Boulevard and the eastern terminus of the route. Such improvements include the construction of a new eastbound lane, the widening of the Seaway Boulevard eastbound on-ramp to the route, the addition of a ramp meter for the direct ramp to I-5 north, and the modification of the signal lights at the eastern terminus intersection with SR 99 and SR 527. The start of construction on the improvement project is slated for 2022, with work concluding in 2024.[50][51][52]
Exit list
The entire highway is in Snohomish County.
Location | mi[1] | km | Destinations | Notes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mukilteo | 0.00 | 0.00 | SR 525 (Mukilteo Speedway) | Continues as 84th Street | |||
0.40 | 0.64 | SR 525 Spur south (Paine Field Boulevard) to SR 525 south / Future of Flight Aviation Center | |||||
Everett | 0.80 | 1.29 | Boeing Receiving | At-grade intersection | |||
West end of freeway | |||||||
1.45 | 2.33 | Airport Road – Paine Field | |||||
1.97 | 3.17 | Seaway Boulevard | |||||
3.54 | 5.70 | Evergreen Way | |||||
East end of freeway | |||||||
4.52 | 7.27 | Seattle | |||||
SR 99 south / SR 527 south / Broadway – Bothell | At-grade intersection, continues as SR 527 | ||||||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi |
References
- ^ a b Finch, Mark, ed. (March 4, 2014). State Highway Log: Planning Report 2013, SR 2 to SR 971 (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. pp. 1659–1662. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "47.17.740: State route No. 526". Revised Code of Washington. Washington State Legislature. 1970. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Gilmore, Susan (June 30, 2002). "Bumper to Bumper: Straight talk on S-curves, traffic lingo". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "SR 526: Junction Airport Road" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. February 13, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "SR 526: Junction Seaway Boulevard" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. February 13, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "SR 526: Junction Evergreen Way" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. September 27, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Interurban Trail (PDF) (Map). Community Transit. 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "SR 5 - Exit 189: Junction SR 99/SR 526/SR 527" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. January 13, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Google (May 28, 2014). "State Route 526" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Washington State Highways, 2011–2012 (PDF) (Map). 1:842,000. Washington State Department of Transportation. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ 2013 Annual Traffic Report (PDF) (Report). Washington State Department of Transportation. 2013. pp. 198–199. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ National Highway System: Marysville, WA (PDF) (Map). Federal Highway Administration. October 1, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "What is the National Highway System?". Federal Highway Administration. September 26, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- Washington State Transportation Commission. July 26, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Lorenzo, Judy. "Highways of Statewide Significance". Washington State Department of Transportation. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Riddle, Margaret (December 30, 2007). "Hundreds celebrate the opening of the Mukilteo-to-Everett road (future Mukilteo Boulevard) on August 5, 1914". HistoryLink. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- OCLC 8437390. Retrieved May 13, 2020 – via HathiTrust.
- ^ Washington State Legislature (March 18, 1937). "Chapter 207: Classification of Public Highways". Session Laws of the State of Washington (1937 ed.). Olympia, Washington: Washington State Legislature. p. 996.
Secondary State Highway No. 1I; beginning at Everett on Primary State Highway No. 1, thence in a westerly direction by the most feasible route to Mukilteo, thence in a southeasterly direction by the most feasible route to a junction with Primary State Highway No. 1 in the vicinity south of Everett.
- Department of Highways. 1960. pp. 149–151, 154. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Seattle, 1958 (JPG) (Map). 1:250,000. United States Geological Survey. 1958. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Prahl, C. G. (December 1, 1965). "Identification of State Highways" (PDF). Washington State Highway Commission, Department of Highways. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Seattle, 1965 (JPG) (Map). 1:250,000. United States Geological Survey. 1965. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Dougherty, Phil (March 24, 2008). "Interstate 5 is completed from Everett to Seattle on February 3, 1965". HistoryLink. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ Washington House of Representatives (1991). "Chapter 342, Laws of 1991: State Highway Routes – Revisions To (House Bill 5801)". Washington State Legislature.
Sec. 42. RCW 47.17.752 and 1971 ex.s. c 73 s 19 are each amended to read as follows: A state highway to be known as state route number 529 is established as follows: Beginning at a junction with state route number 5 in Everett, thence westerly and northerly through Everett to a junction with state route number 528 in Marysville.
- ^ "I-5 41st Street Interchange" (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. April 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "Casino Okayed; Freeway Will Open Jan. 15". The Everett Herald. October 25, 1967. p. A1. Retrieved February 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ SR 525, Swamp Creek Interchange to SR 99 Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Washington State Department of Highways. January 31, 1975. p. 4. Retrieved November 29, 2021 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b United States Geological Survey (1968). Mukilteo quadrangle, Washington (Map). 1:24,000. 7.5 Minute Series. Washington, D.C.: United States Geological Survey. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ United States Geological Survey (1968). Everett quadrangle, Washington (Map). 1:24,000. 7.5 Minute Series. Washington, D.C.: United States Geological Survey. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
- ^ "Improvements To Casino Road Urged". The Seattle Times. March 17, 1967. p. C11. Retrieved November 29, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Moody, Dick (May 13, 1966). "Everett Certain It Can Meet Boeing's Needs". The Seattle Times. p. 53. Retrieved November 30, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Lane, Bob (October 29, 1966). "State Unable to Help At Paine Field, Says Solon". The Seattle Times. p. 13. Retrieved November 29, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ a b "Highway Link at 747 Site". The Seattle Times. June 27, 1967. p. 20. Retrieved November 29, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Barr, Robert A. (June 4, 1967). "Boeing-Built Road Will Ease Traffic Tie-ups at 747 Site". The Seattle Times. p. 17. Retrieved November 30, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ "Casino Road Contract Let". The Everett Herald. May 17, 1968. p. B1. Retrieved February 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Barr, Robert A. (November 28, 1968). "Interchange Will Be Rebuilt For Everett, Boeing Traffic". The Seattle Times. p. 91. Retrieved November 29, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ "Casino Road Section Opens Wednesday". The Seattle Times. April 20, 1969. p. 14. Retrieved November 29, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ "Road to 747 Plant Opens". The Seattle Times. October 14, 1967. p. A. Retrieved November 29, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ "Interstate 5 section to be opened". The Seattle Times. November 9, 1970. p. C19. Retrieved December 5, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ "Boeing Ramp To Open Nov. 13". The Everett Herald. November 6, 1970. p. A1. Retrieved February 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Tetra Tech Inca. "SR 526 and I-5 Interchange and Flyover Ramp". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
- ^ Shaw, Linda (July 30, 1991). "Boeing expansion to bring squeeze – Everett-area road work likely to lag". The Seattle Times. p. E1. Retrieved December 5, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Stancil, Arvell (July 14, 1995). "Everett Symphony Orchestra gets to...play on the freeway". The Everett Herald. p. C1. Retrieved February 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Matthee, Imbert (March 2, 1992). "Growing Paine: New Boeing plant brings jobs – and problems". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. B3. Retrieved December 5, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Wodnik, Bob (October 21, 1995). "Carpool lanes put back on top shelf". The Everett Herald. p. A1. Retrieved February 10, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ .
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- OCLC 43009840. Retrieved February 21, 2021 – via Google Books.
- ^ Higgins, Mark (May 7, 1997). "New meets old in this waterfront town". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. p. D1. Retrieved November 29, 2021 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Watanabe, Ben (December 7, 2020). "State proposes new Highway 526 eastbound lane, meters to I-5". The Everett Herald. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "SR 526 - Corridor Improvements". Washington State Department of Transportation. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- ^ Sullivan, Chris (November 19, 2020). "WSDOT prepares to attack daily chokepoint in Everett on SR 526". KIRO Radio. Retrieved January 5, 2021.