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 2011, WSDOT calculated that the busiest section of SR 432 is the bridge over the Cowlitz River, serving 30,000 vehicles, while the least busy section is the western terminus at SR 4 in West Longview, serving 3,500 vehicles.[10] The entire route of SR 432 is designated as an Intermodal Connector within the National Highway System,[11] a highway system that includes roadways important to the national economy, defense, and mobility;[12] and as a Highway of Statewide Significance by WSDOT,[13] which includes highways that connect major communities in the state of Washington.[14] SR 432 forms part of the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, serving as the link between Longview and the Lewis and Clark Bridge via 3rd Avenue on the 202-mile-long (325 km) bicycle race held annually.[15][16]
History
Shields of former PSH 12 and WA 832
SR 432 has been part of the Washington state highway system since 1937, when it was designated as a branch of PSH 12.[17] The Longview–Kelso branch of PSH 12 traveled 5.47 miles (8.80 km) east from an intersection with the Ocean Beach Highway, signed as PSH 12 and U.S. Route 830 (US 830), onto Nichols Boulevard around Lake Sacajawea and Tennant Way in Longview and crossed the Cowlitz River to Kelso, where the highway ended at an intersection with the Pacific Highway, signed as PSH 1 and US 99.[18][19][20] In 1952, the highway was proposed as U.S. Route 830 Alternate shortly after the completion of the Longview Wye on US 99 (now I-5).[21]
The Longview–Kelso branch of PSH 12 was replaced by SR 832 during the 1964 highway renumbering and existed until US 830 was decommissioned in 1967,[22] as SR 432 was established as an auxiliary route of SR 4 before the highway system was codified in 1970.[2][23][24] SR 432 was re-aligned onto its present route, Industrial Way,[25] in 1991 to end at SR 4 in West Longview and to serve the Port of Longview.[2][26][27] The realignment took effect on April 1, 1992.[28] The eastern terminus of SR 432, an interchange with I-5 nicknamed the Longview Wye,[6] was reconstructed by WSDOT beginning in December 2009.[29][30] WSDOT removed the northwest loop ramp, which connected Old Pacific Highway to southbound I-5,[31] and replaced it with an improved interchange with Talley Way that opened on October 28, 2011.[5][9][32]
^Staff (2011). "2011 Annual Traffic Report"(PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. p. 182. Archived from the original(PDF) on June 13, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
^Washington State Legislature (March 17, 1937). "Chapter 185: Establishment of Primary State Highways". Session Laws of the State of Washington (1937 ed.). Olympia, Washington: Washington State Legislature. pp. 939–940. Retrieved February 17, 2013. SEC. 12. A primary state highway to be known as Primary State Highway No. 12, or the Ocean Beach Highway, is hereby established according to description as follows: Also beginning at Longview on Primary State Highway No. 12, as herein described, thence in a southeasterly direction by the most feasible route to a junction with Primary State Highway No. 1, south of Kelso.
^Prahl, C. G. (December 1, 1965). "Identification of State Highways"(PDF). Washington State Highway Commission, Department of Highways. Archived from the original(PDF) on February 17, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
^Hoquiam, 1968(JPG) (Map). 1:250,000. United States Geological Survey. 1968. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
^Washington Oregon Road Map (Map). 1 in ≈ 17.3 mi. Cartography by Rand McNally. Union 76. 1972. § H5.
^Washington State Legislature (May 21, 1991). "Chapter 342: Engrossed Senate Bill 5801 - State Highway Routes -- Revisions To". Session Laws of the State of Washington (1991 ed.). Olympia, Washington: Washington State Legislature. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
^Staff (1992). "1992 Annual Traffic Report"(PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. p. 147. Archived from the original(PDF) on March 18, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
