Changes would clear up confusion; addresses wouldn't change

Monday, May 25 | 8:21 p.m.

BY HOWARD BUCK
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER

It's a routine part of the job at the Amboy Market.

That is, helping to straighten out motorists stumped by the many twists - and name changes - of rural state Highway 503.

Just ask Darcy Williams, manager of the busy store that officially sits on Northeast 216th Avenue, which follows Fargher Lake Highway, Lewisville Highway, 10th Avenue and 117th Avenue, for unsure tourists and delivery drivers who track official road signs from Vancouver.

"It is a little confusing. Because people continue thinking they're on the same path, thinking they're on 503, but then the name changes and they think they're lost," Williams said.

That doesn't even cover motorists who should be on the part of 503 out of Woodland, he adds.

To eliminate guesswork, here's an idea pitched by Battle Ground city leaders, delivered to Washington highway officials by state Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, and other state House members:

nLabel the portion of Highway 503 from the Padden Parkway in Orchards to Amboy, "Lewisville Highway."

nLabel all of state Highway 502, from Interstate 5 to the 503 junction in Battle Ground, "Battle Ground Highway."

Now, understand: Not a single, formal home or business street address would change.

Postal delivery would stick with those addresses, so no private costs would ensue.

Backers say the road rebranding would merely supplement current road signs, and help boost regional identify and curb confusion.

"It's a common name that we're trying to achieve, here," said Dennis Osborn, Battle Ground city manager.

"Like the Sunset Highway, the Glenn Jackson Bridge," Osborn said - alternate monikers for U.S. Highway 26 to the Oregon Coast, and the Interstate 205 span over the Columbia River.

Ultimately, a state transportation panel must approve the request (Zarelli's Senate Bill 5085, and matching House legislation, initiates that process).

To use "Lewisville Highway" is logical for 503, Osborn said. That was the longtime name for the north-south route that slides past the popular Lewisville Park, still in use along that stretch.

In Amboy, Williams agrees.

"I think it makes sense. It's a good landmark," Williams said. "Everybody knows of the park, and has their general bearings. - You just continue from there."

Highway 502, destined to grow to four lanes from Duluth to Dollar's Corner and likely become a job incubator, also would benefit, new-name advocates say.

"That direct link from the freeway to Battle Ground, it just makes sense," said Scott Sawyer, Battle Ground public works director.

"I think for most residents, it would continue to be 219th," Sawyer added.

There would be a public cost to install signs: an estimated $17,000 on Highway 502, $40,310 on Highway 503, Sawyer said.

Road crews would change out the signs "over time," he said, to limit front-end expense while state and local money is short.

That might mollify Leanne Walling, a skeptical Fargher Lake Store cashier who quipped, "I didn't realize there was that much money in the budget, to be playing with road (signs)."

Of course, moments before, she had set straight yet another lost customer.

"I think (road authorities) like to keep people confused," Walling said. "Mapquest will get you lost up here."

Howard Buck: 360-735-4515 or howard.buck@columbian.com.