The Big Cedar Stump and former US 99 in Smokey Point

[Max Rockatansky]

Something I thought was worth visiting on a recent work trip:

"A relic of US Route 99 can be found at the Smokey Point Rest Area on northbound Interstate 5 in the form of the Big Cedar Stump. The Big Cedar Stump is a former drive-through tree carved during 1916 which was originally located on the Pacific Highway at what is now the northeast corner of Smokey Point Boulevard and Pioneer Highway (now Washington State Route 530). The Big Cedar Stump was moved to the northwest of corner of Smokey Point Boulevard and Pioneer Highway during 1922 which became the original alignment of US Route 99 during 1926.  US Route 99 was realigned via a new direct routing north of Smokey Point bypassing Silvana during 1934.  The Big Cedar Stump was moved to the new alignment of US Route 99 during 1939.  During 1971 the Big Cedar Stump was brought to where now lies at the northbound Smokey Point Rest Area along Interstate 5."

https://www.gribblenation.org/2023/02/the-big-cedar-stump-and-former-us-route.html

[Bruce]

Small correction: the Marysville bypass opened in 1954 and went up to Stimsons Crossing (around 136th Street) before transitioning back to the old alignment. It was extended up through Smokey Point within a few years but the Stillaguamish River bridge wasn't twinned until 1972.

[Max Rockatansky]

Small correction: the Marysville bypass opened in 1954 and went up to Stimsons Crossing (around 136th Street) before transitioning back to the old alignment. It was extended up through Smokey Point within a few years but the Stillaguamish River bridge wasn't twinned until 1972.

Noted and updated.  Question for you, when was Everett bypassed?  I was crossing through Everett the other day on Broadway but I couldn't find any solid information one when the city was bypassed.  I know US Route 99 went through a major realignment in southern Everett during the 1940s in the lead up to US 2 being extended by 1948, any insight there also?

[Bruce]

Small correction: the Marysville bypass opened in 1954 and went up to Stimsons Crossing (around 136th Street) before transitioning back to the old alignment. It was extended up through Smokey Point within a few years but the Stillaguamish River bridge wasn't twinned until 1972.

Noted and updated.  Question for you, when was Everett bypassed?  I was crossing through Everett the other day on Broadway but I couldn't find any solid information one when the city was bypassed.  I know US Route 99 went through a major realignment in southern Everett during the 1940s in the lead up to US 2 being extended by 1948, any insight there also?

From what I remember: after 1927, US 99 was on Evergreen Way and turned east on Hewitt (I believe) and north on Broadway to continue through to Marysville. The Broadway Cut-off opened in 1954 and shifted US 99 to a new alignment that roughly follows the modern southbound lanes of I-5 between SR 527 and 41st Street.

The I-5 alignment was opened in stages between 1965 and 1969. The Northgate-to-SR 527 section opened on February 3, 1965, and funneled right into the Broadway Cut-off (as seen on the 1965 state highway map). Downtown was bypassed on January 18, 1968, with a new section between 41st Street and Marine View Drive just before the Snohomish River; the cut-off was also twinned. The remaining section to Marysville was finished on May 14, 1969, and was the last part of I-5 to open in Washington.

[Max Rockatansky]

Small correction: the Marysville bypass opened in 1954 and went up to Stimsons Crossing (around 136th Street) before transitioning back to the old alignment. It was extended up through Smokey Point within a few years but the Stillaguamish River bridge wasn't twinned until 1972.

Noted and updated.  Question for you, when was Everett bypassed?  I was crossing through Everett the other day on Broadway but I couldn't find any solid information one when the city was bypassed.  I know US Route 99 went through a major realignment in southern Everett during the 1940s in the lead up to US 2 being extended by 1948, any insight there also?

From what I remember: after 1927, US 99 was on Evergreen Way and turned east on Hewitt (I believe) and north on Broadway to continue through to Marysville. The Broadway Cut-off opened in 1954 and shifted US 99 to a new alignment that roughly follows the modern southbound lanes of I-5 between SR 527 and 41st Street.

The I-5 alignment was opened in stages between 1965 and 1969. The Northgate-to-SR 527 section opened on February 3, 1965, and funneled right into the Broadway Cut-off (as seen on the 1965 state highway map). Downtown was bypassed on January 18, 1968, with a new section between 41st Street and Marine View Drive just before the Snohomish River; the cut-off was also twinned. The remaining section to Marysville was finished on May 14, 1969, and was the last part of I-5 to open in Washington.

Awesome, that's exactly what I needed.  Definitely appreciate the help and link the WSDOT page with the search feature. 

[ErmineNotyours]

Small correction: the Marysville bypass opened in 1954 and went up to Stimsons Crossing (around 136th Street) before transitioning back to the old alignment. It was extended up through Smokey Point within a few years but the Stillaguamish River bridge wasn't twinned until 1972.

Noted and updated.  Question for you, when was Everett bypassed?  I was crossing through Everett the other day on Broadway but I couldn't find any solid information one when the city was bypassed.  I know US Route 99 went through a major realignment in southern Everett during the 1940s in the lead up to US 2 being extended by 1948, any insight there also?

Opening ceremony pamphlet for Marysville to Snohomish River freeway segment, 1969:

https://cdm16977.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16977coll3/id/210/rec/10

[Max Rockatansky]

Small correction: the Marysville bypass opened in 1954 and went up to Stimsons Crossing (around 136th Street) before transitioning back to the old alignment. It was extended up through Smokey Point within a few years but the Stillaguamish River bridge wasn't twinned until 1972.

Noted and updated.  Question for you, when was Everett bypassed?  I was crossing through Everett the other day on Broadway but I couldn't find any solid information one when the city was bypassed.  I know US Route 99 went through a major realignment in southern Everett during the 1940s in the lead up to US 2 being extended by 1948, any insight there also?

Opening ceremony pamphlet for Marysville to Snohomish River freeway segment, 1969:

https://cdm16977.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16977coll3/id/210/rec/10

Greatly appreciated.