{{Short description|State highway in Washington, US}} {{Use American English|date=May 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2015}} {{Infobox road |state=WA |type=SR |route=506 |section=665 |map=Washington State Route 506.svg |map_alt=A map of the southwestern section of Washington near the Columbia River with SR 506, running east–west from Ryderwood to Interstate 5, highlighted in red. |map_notes=SR 506 highlighted in red on a map of southwestern Washington. |length_mi=11.53 |length_round=2 |length_ref=<ref name="log">{{cite web |url=https://wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/roadway/pdf/HwyLog2008.pdf |title=State Highway Log, 2008 |year=2008 |author=Washington State Department of Transportation |access-date=2009-10-31}}</ref> |established=1964<ref name="rcw">{{cite web |url=http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=47.17.665 |title=RCW 47.17.665: State route No. 506 |year=1970 |author=Washington State Legislature |access-date=2009-10-31}}</ref> |direction_a=West |terminus_a=2nd Street in Ryderwood |junction={{jct|state=WA|I|5}} southbound near Vader |direction_b=East |terminus_b={{jct|state=WA|I|5}} near Toledo |counties=Cowlitz, Lewis |spur_type=I |spur_of=5 |previous_type=SR |previous_route=505 |next_type=SR |next_route=507 }}
'''State Route 506''' ('''SR 506''') is an {{convert|11.53|mi|km|2|adj=on}} long state highway in Cowlitz and Lewis counties, part of the U.S. state of Washington, serving the communities of Ryderwood and Vader. SR 506 begins at the intersection of 2nd and Morse Street in Ryderwood, a community in Cowlitz County, traveling north into Lewis County and turning east past Vader to parallel the Cowlitz River and interchange {{nowrap|Interstate 5}} (I-5) twice west of Toledo. Originating as '''Secondary State Highway 1P''' (SSH 1P) in 1937, the highway was designated in its current form in 1964 and it shared its eastern terminus with {{nowrap|SR 505}}. {{nowrap|SR 411}} terminated at Vader and both SR 411 and SR 505 were moved away from SR 506 in 1991.
==Route description== thumb|left|SR 506 at its western terminus in Ryderwood
SR 506 begins as the continuation of Morse Street at the Second Street intersection in Ryderwood, a community located in the Campbell Creek valley in northern Cowlitz County. Traveling north to exit Ryderwood, the highway crosses Campbell Creek and enters Lewis County.<ref name="log"/> The roadway parallels Stillwater Creek in its valley northeast and turns east to cross the creek into Vader.<ref name="lewiscomap-p15">{{cite map |title=Road Atlas of Lewis County (T 11N, R 3W) |publisher=Lewis County, Washington |year=2009 |page=15 |url=http://maps.lewiscountywa.gov/maps/RoadAtlas/rdatl_pg15.pdf |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721044234/http://maps.lewiscountywa.gov/maps/RoadAtlas/rdatl_pg15.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="lewiscomap-p16">{{cite map |title=Road Atlas of Lewis County (T 11N, R 2W) |publisher=Lewis County, Washington |year=2009 |page=15 |url=http://maps.lewiscountywa.gov/maps/RoadAtlas/rdatl_pg16.pdf |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721044258/http://maps.lewiscountywa.gov/maps/RoadAtlas/rdatl_pg16.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The street is named 7th Street after crossing Olequa Creek;<ref name="log"/> SR 506 crosses a railroad track owned by BNSF Railway and used by two Amtrak services, the ''Cascades'' and ''Coast Starlight'', between the Kelso and Centralia stations.<ref name="rail1">{{cite map |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |year=2008 |title=Washington State Rail System |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/1DFCBFA0-1A9D-4838-A74F-7841BF22E9C3/0/Railmap_update_Sept2008.pdf |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=January 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105154044/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/1DFCBFA0-1A9D-4838-A74F-7841BF22E9C3/0/Railmap_update_Sept2008.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="rail2">{{cite map |title=Amtrak Cascades Route Map |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Freight/Rail/amtrakcascadesroutemap.htm |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |year=2009 |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=August 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829042240/http://wsdot.wa.gov/Freight/Rail/amtrakcascadesroutemap.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="rail3">{{cite web |url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/AM_Route_C/1241245648567/1237405732511 |title=Amtrak - Routes - Northwest - Coast Starlight |author=Amtrak |year=2009 |access-date=2009-10-31}}</ref> Traveling east through Vader, 7th Street intersects the West Side Highway, formerly {{nowrap|SR 411}} until 1991,<ref name="law1991">{{cite web |url=http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/1991-92/Htm/Bills/Session%20Law%201991/5801.SL.htm |title=Engrossed Senate Bill 5801 |author=Washington State Senate |publisher=Washington State Legislature |date=May 21, 1991 |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=August 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804092641/http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/1991-92/Htm/Bills/Session%20Law%201991/5801.SL.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and leaves the city heading northeast, paralleling the Cowlitz River, to cross Lacamas Creek, the busiest segment of the highway at a daily average of 1,800 vehicles in 2008.<ref name="aadt2008">{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/tdo/PDF_and_ZIP_Files/Annual_Traffic_Report_2008.pdf |title=2008 Annual Traffic Report |author=Washington State Department of Transportation |year=2008 |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=June 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616135704/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/tdo/PDF_and_ZIP_Files/Annual_Traffic_Report_2008.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The roadway crosses Bear Creek near its confluence with the Cowlitz River and interchanges {{nowrap|Interstate 5}} (I-5) southbound exit 59; the route turns north to interchange I-5 again at exit 60 in a full diamond interchange.<ref name="i5exit59">{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/tdo/Interchange/pdfs/SR005/005X059.pdf |title=SR 5 – Exit 59; SR 506 / Vader / Ryderwood |date=November 4, 1998 |author=Washington State Department of Transportation |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=October 8, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008162501/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/tdo/interchange/pdfs/SR005/005X059.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="i5exit60">{{cite web |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/tdo/Interchange/pdfs/SR005/005X060.pdf |title=SR 5 – Exit 60; SR 506 / Toledo |date=November 4, 1998 |author=Washington State Department of Transportation |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=October 8, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008162148/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/tdo/interchange/pdfs/SR005/005X060.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Exit 60 is also the western terminus of the Toledo-Vader Road, formerly {{nowrap|SR 505}} until 1991.<ref name="lewiscomap-p16"/><ref name="law1991"/><ref name="map">{{google maps |title=State Route 506 |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Morse+St&daddr=Toledo-Vader+Rd%2FWA-506+W&hl=en&geocode=FSqXwwIdY4Cq-A%3BFTicxAId-uKs-A&mra=ls&sll=46.438829,-122.887579&sspn=0.002591,0.004812&ie=UTF8&z=12 |access-date=2009-10-31}}</ref>
==History== [[File:Secondary State Highway 1P topo, 1951.jpg|thumb|right|The predecessor to SR 506, Secondary State Highway 1P (SSH 1P), pictured in a topographic map paralleling the Longview, Portland and Northern Railway in 1951.|alt=Secondary State Highway 1P (1937-1964), which preceded current SR 506 (1964-present), seen on a topographic map of Hoquiam, Washington produced by the United States Geological Survey in 1951; the road followed the Longview, Portland and Northern Railway until 1953.]]
SR 506 was established in 1964,<ref name="rcw"/> but was preceded by Secondary State Highway 1P (SSH 1P), established in 1937. Originally, SSH 1P traveled from Ryderwood, paralleling the Longview, Portland and Northern Railway line to Vader and paralleling the Cowlitz River to {{nowrap|U.S. Route 99}} (US 99) in Toledo.<ref name="law1937">{{cite book |author=Washington State Legislature |title=Session Laws of the State of Washington |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dcQ4AAAAIAAJ |access-date=2009-10-31 |edition=1937 |date=March 18, 1937 |publisher=Washington State Legislature |location=Olympia, Washington |page=997 |chapter=Chapter 207: Classification of Public Highways |quote=(o) Secondary State Highway No. 1P; beginning at Toledo on Primary State Highway No. 1, thence in a southwesterly direction by the most feasible route by way of Vader to Ryderwood;}}</ref> The rail line, established in 1922 by Longview's founder, Robert A. Long, was completed in 1929.<ref name="rail4">{{cite web |url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=7482 |title=Cowlitz County – Thumbnail History |publisher=HistoryLink |author=David Wilma |date=September 18, 2005 |access-date=2009-10-31}}</ref><ref name="rail5">{{cite web |url=http://www.trainweb.org/rosters/LPN.html |title=Longview, Portland & Northern Railway - LPN |author=Trainweb.org |access-date=2009-10-31}}</ref><ref name="map1951">{{cite map |publisher=University of Texas at Austin |cartography=United States Geological Survey |year=1951 |title=Hoquiam, 1951 |url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/250k/txu-pclmaps-topo-us-hoquiam-1951.jpg |access-date=2009-10-31}}</ref> In 1953, the rail line was removed,<ref name="rail5"/><ref name="map1958">{{cite map |publisher=University of Texas at Austin |cartography=United States Geological Survey |year=1958 |title=Hoquiam, 1958 |url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/250k/txu-pclmaps-topo-us-hoquiam-1958.jpg |access-date=2009-10-31}}</ref> and in 1963, SSH 1P was shortened and moved west to the newer US 99 freeway, later {{nowrap|Interstate 5}} (I-5).<ref name="law1963">{{cite book |author=Washington State Legislature |title=Session Laws of the State of Washington |edition=1963 |year=1963 |publisher=Washington State Legislature |location=Olympia, Washington |chapter=Extraordinary session 3}}</ref>
During the 1964 highway renumbering, SR 506 was created, {{nowrap|SR 411}} ended in Vader and {{nowrap|SR 505}} ended at the I-5 / SR 506 interchange.<ref name="rcw"/><ref name="sr">{{cite web |title=Identification of State Highways |url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2005/04/26/Identification-of-state-highways.pdf |author=C. G. Prahl |author2=Washington State Highway Commission, Department of Highways |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |date=December 1, 1965 |access-date=2009-10-31 |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217112902/https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/6836215D-E301-43F3-895A-472BD2FDE86A/0/Identification.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="map1968">{{cite map |publisher=University of Texas at Austin |cartography=United States Geological Survey |year=1968 |title=Hoquiam, 1968 |url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/250k/txu-pclmaps-topo-us-hoquiam-1968.jpg |access-date=2009-10-31}}</ref> An extension of the highway connecting Vader to SR 407 near Cathlamet was studied by the state legislature in 1973 but was not recommended for construction.<ref>{{cite report |date=January 1973 |title=Report of the Legislative Transportation Committee |chapter=Chapter 6: Highway Route Studies |page=20 |publisher=Washington State Legislature |chapter-url=https://cdm16977.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16977coll10/id/230/rec/17 |via=WSDOT Library Digital Collections |access-date=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
In 1991, SR 411 was moved south to end in Castle Rock and SR 505 was moved onto former {{nowrap|SR 603}} to Winlock.<ref name="law1991"/> The Washington State Transportation Improvement Board heard proposals in the early 1990s to decommission SR 506 and transfer control of the highway to the counties and local governments, which was opposed by residents due to high maintenance costs.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 3, 1990 |title=Vader officials oppose taking over highway |page=A4 |work=The Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86639438/vader-officials-oppose-taking-over/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lee Grell |first=Terri |date=June 11, 1992 |title=Vader folks want road to stay in state's hands |page=B4 |work=The Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86639561/vader-folks-want-road-to-stay-in/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 6, 2021}}</ref> The board ultimately decided in 1992 to recommend that the highway remain under state control.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 9, 1992 |title=Route Jurisdiction Transfer Study for SR 506 |pages=3–4 |publisher=Washington State Transportation Improvement Board |url=https://cdm16977.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16977coll10/id/7707/rec/7 |via=WSDOT Library Digital Collections |access-date=October 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 18, 1992 |title=State panel wants to keep SR 506 |page=B3 |work=The Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86639711/state-panel-wants-to-keep-sr-506/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=October 6, 2021}}</ref>
The overpass carrying SR 506 over I-5 was closed on July 6, 2021, after a truck struck it and caused major structural damage. Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency and approved funds to replace the entire bridge.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 16, 2021 |title=Gov. Inslee Issues Emergency Proclamation for Damaged State Route 506 Overpass in Toledo |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/gov-inslee-issues-emergency-proclamation-for-damaged-state-route-506-overpass-in-toledo,269235 |work=The Chronicle |accessdate=August 17, 2022}}</ref> The replacement is scheduled to be completed in late 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=SR 506/1.5 Miles N of Frontage Rd to I-5 – Emergency Bridge Repair |url=https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr-506-15-miles-n-frontage-rd-i-5-emergency-bridge-repair |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |accessdate=August 17, 2022}}</ref>
==Major intersections== {{WAinttop|length_ref=<ref name="log"/>}} {{WAint |county=Cowlitz |location=Ryderwood |mile=0.00 |road=2nd Street |notes=Western terminus; continues south as Morse Street}} {{WAint |county=Lewis |cspan=3 |location=Vader |mile=6.85 |road=Westside Highway – Castle Rock, Kelso |notes=Former northern terminus of SR 411 }} {{WAint |location=none |mile=9.89 |road={{jct|state=WA|I|5|city1=Seattle|city2=Toledo}}, Portland, OR |notes=Southbound only; exit 59}} {{WAint |location=none |mile=11.53 |road={{jct|state=WA|I|5|city1=Kelso}} |notes=Eastern terminus; exit 60; continues east as Toledo-Vader Road (former SR 505)}} {{jctbtm}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Attached KML|display=inline,title}} *[https://www.angelfire.com/wa2/hwysofwastate/sr506.html Highways of Washington State]
{{State highways in Washington related to I-5}} {{Authority control}}
{{Good article}}
506 Category:Transportation in Cowlitz County, Washington Category:Transportation in Lewis County, Washington