Editing Interstate 82 (section)

===Tri-Cities routing dispute===
[[File:Interstate 82 and Interstate 182 routing options - Tri-City Herald, March 10, 1974.png|thumb|right|A map produced by the ''[[Tri-City Herald]]'' in 1974 showing routes considered for I-82 and later I-182|alt=A black-and-white map of freeway routes in the Tri-Cities region of Washington and Umatilla County, Oregon, with various options highlighted and numbered.]]

The routing of I-82's southern half was altered several times during the planning process, which lasted until the early 1970s.<ref name="ODOT-IH2004">{{cite report |last=Kramer |first=George |date=May 2004 |title=The Interstate Highway System in Oregon: A Historic Overview |pages=75–80 |url=http://library.state.or.us/repository/2015/201509281034391/index.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618032030/http://library.state.or.us/repository/2015/201509281034391/index.pdf |archive-date=2018-06-18 |url-status=live |publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation |via=[[Oregon State Library]] |access-date=September 8, 2018}}</ref> Due to complications with the construction of a crossing at Blalock Island that was favored by the [[Port of Morrow]], Oregon leaders lobbied for the interstate to cross farther east at the existing Umatilla Bridge.<ref name="ODOT-IH2004"/><ref>{{cite news |date=May 1958 |title=Ellensburg-Pendleton Route Of Interstate System Changed To Umatilla Bridge |page=4 |work=Washington Highway News |volume=7 |issue=8 |publisher=Washington State Department of Highways |oclc=29654162 |url=https://cdm16977.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16977coll1/id/2969/rec/3 |via=Washington State Department of Transportation Library Digital Collections |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908164350/https://cdm16977.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16977coll1/id/2969/rec/3 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Prosser–Umatilla route remained the favored alignment for both states in the early part of the process of identifying alternatives, despite growing opposition from business leaders in the Tri-Cities and [[Walla Walla, Washington|Walla Walla]] who sought an interstate connection.<ref name="ODOT-IH2004"/><ref name="TCH-1984">{{cite news |last=Woehler |first=Bob |date=November 25, 1984 |title=I-82 saga was 25-year freeway tug-of-war |page=C4 |work=Tri-City Herald}}</ref>

In 1962, the Washington highway commissioner ordered a new routing study for the I-82 corridor after hearing requests from legislators in the Tri-Cities area.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 18, 1961 |title=Senator Urges Rerouting Of New Highway |page=10 |work=The Seattle Times |agency=United Press International}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=January 18, 1962 |title=Bugge Orders Study of Route |page=2 |work=The Seattle Times |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The study produced four general corridors, including alternatives that shifted I-82 closer to the Tri-Cities, traversed the area, and continued southeastward along [[Lake Wallula]].<ref name="ODOT-IH2004"/><ref>{{cite news |date=May 22, 1963 |title=113-Mile Road To Plymouth Given Routing |page=1 |work=Ellensburg Daily Record |agency=Associated Press |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PgBPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4217%2C5615653 |via=Google News Archive |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210051115/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PgBPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4217%2C5615653 |url-status=live }}</ref> The states remained committed to the Umatilla crossing and formally approved the Horse Heaven routing after a two-day public hearing in October 1963.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 16, 1963 |title=Hearing On Yakima-Umatilla Highway Ends |page=3 |work=The Seattle Times |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The Tri-Cities and Wallula routes were rejected, in part because of the limited supply of miles allotted by Congress to the Interstate program.<ref name="Times-1964Dec">{{cite news |date=December 16, 1964 |title=Route Closer To Tri-Cities Now Favored |page=29 |work=The Seattle Times |agency=United Press International}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Burchard |first=Boyd |date=March 18, 1965 |title=Wanted: 22 Miles Of Superhighway |page=80 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Senator Magnuson and Oregon congressman [[Al Ullman]] intervened during the federal approval of the routing and called for a re-study.<ref name="TCH-1984"/><ref>{{cite news |date=August 28, 1964 |title=Road Route 'In Realm Of Politics' |page=1 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Magnuson later proposed a bill to add {{convert|19,000|mi|km}} to the Interstate system, including an allotment for the Tri-Cities,<ref>{{cite news |date=May 26, 1965 |title=Bill Would Add Federal Route Links |page=1 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref> but it failed to advance beyond Congressional committees for several years before quietly excluding I-82.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 12, 1967 |title=Highway 82 Route Shift Is Doubtful |page=5 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=November 21, 1967 |title=I-82 Extension Not in Measure |page=14 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In 1968, the federal government authorized $25 million in funding (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|25000000|1968}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{inflation-fn|US-GDP}} for the {{convert|28|mi|km|adj=mid}} addition.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 15, 1968 |title=I-82 Clears Another Hurdle |page=1 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref>

The new study was funded jointly by the two states and contracted to an independent firm that completed it in September 1966.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 16, 1965 |title=Two States Study New Highway Route |page=18 |work=Corvallis Gazette-Times |agency=United Press International |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23562972/two_states_study_new_highway_route/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035545/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23562972/two_states_study_new_highway_route/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 9, 1965 |title=Studies for Interstate Route Are Under Way |page=16 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref> The study recommended that I-82 be routed through [[Pasco, Washington|Pasco]] and follow Lake Wallula to a junction with I-80N near Pendleton,<ref name="ODOT-IH2004"/> fulfilling the general goals of the project despite adding {{convert|37|mi|km}} to the highway and costing another $36 million (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|36000000|1966}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{inflation-fn|US-GDP}} to construct.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 1966 |title=New Route For I-82? |page=17 |work=Washington Highway News |volume=13 |issue=4 |publisher=Washington State Department of Highways |oclc=29654162 |url=https://cdm16977.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16977coll1/id/5070/ |via=Washington State Department of Transportation Library Digital Collections |access-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913112806/https://cdm16977.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16977coll1/id/5070/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 24, 1966 |title=Proposal Made on Route Of Interstate 82 |page=12 |work=The Seattle Times |agency=United Press International}}</ref> Oregon legislators, particularly those representing the Umatilla area, remained opposed to the routing and accused Washington of trying to "pick-pocket" traffic bound for Oregon.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 6, 1965 |title=Rerouting 82 Labeled 'Pick-pocket Program' |page=1 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The Washington State Highway Commission gave preliminary approval to the Wallula route in December 1967, with support from the regional director of the Bureau of Public Roads,<ref>{{cite news |date=December 21, 1967 |title=New Highway Proposal Favored by Director |page=8 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref> but their Oregon counterpart remained opposed.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 16, 1968 |title=Final Highway Action Now Up to Congress; Oregon Has Say Too |page=3 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Oregon governor [[Tom McCall]] met with Senator Magnuson to propose a compromise route that would serve the Tri-Cities and the [[Port of Umatilla]], which would later form the basis of a new study begun in mid-1968.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 18, 1968 |title=Compromise Urged On Interstate 82 |page=17 |work=[[Capital Journal]] |location=Salem, Oregon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21698981/i82_compromise/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035548/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21698981/i82_compromise/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 11, 1968 |title=Compromise I-82 Route Under Study |page=31 |work=[[Oregon Statesman]] |location=Salem, Oregon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23564333/compromise_i82_route_under_study/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909035442/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23564333/compromise_i82_route_under_study/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 1969, the [[Federal Highway Administration]] (FHWA), the successor to the Bureau of Public Roads, announced a new compromise proposal, routing I-82 through Umatilla and adding a spur route [[Interstate 182|I-182]] to serve the Tri-Cities.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 8, 1969 |title=Two highway hearings set |page=2 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref> The Washington State Highway Commission approved the compromise in July 1969,<ref>{{cite news |date=July 24, 1969 |title=Yakima Freeway Route Approved |page=15 |work=Capital Journal |location=Salem, Oregon |agency=United Press International |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21698931/i82_approved_by_washington/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909073938/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21698931/i82_approved_by_washington/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but the Oregon delegation expressed its support of the Wallula routing after it was modified to terminate farther west near [[Stanfield, Oregon|Stanfield]].<ref>{{cite news |date=April 23, 1971 |title=Oregon Approval of I-82 East Shore Route Likely |page=1 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 4, 1971 |title=I-82 Route Causing Second Thoughts? |page=1 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The FHWA approved the Wallula alignment in October 1971,<ref>{{cite news |date=October 16, 1971 |title=I-82 will enter at Wallula |page=17 |work=Capital Journal |location=Salem, Oregon |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21066333/i82_east_route_approved_by_fhwa/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909073920/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21066333/i82_east_route_approved_by_fhwa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but protests from environmentalists over potential harm to local wildlife areas, including the [[McNary National Wildlife Refuge]], forced the plan to be reconsidered in early 1973.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 25, 1973 |title=Controversy Over I-82's 'Route 5' To Climax at Haring Tuesday |page=2A |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref>

The Oregon commission remained opposed to all options that bypassed the Umatilla Bridge, mirroring public opinion from hearings in Pendleton, while the Washington commission considered a narrowed set of options around Umatilla that were both opposed by the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla.<ref>{{cite news |last=Abeyta |first=Terry |date=August 9, 1973 |title=1-82 county bypass: 'Inevitable' |page=5 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref> Support for the Wallula routing from the Tri-Cities waned in late 1973, allowing for a revival of the I-182 compromise proposed by the FHWA.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 12, 1973 |title=Tri-City group to re-think I-82 stand |page=1 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 15, 1973 |title=Commission meets on I-82 proposals |page=16 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref> The Washington commission approved a compromise route along the Horse Heaven Hills connecting Kennewick to the Umatilla Bridge, along with the I-182 spur to the Tri-Cities, in October 1973 and the Oregon commission approved it that December.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hutcheson |first=Jim |date=October 17, 1973 |title=South route chosen; I-82 bypasses Walla Walla |page=1 |work=Walla Walla Union-Bulletin}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 19, 1973 |title=Oregon board decides on Interstate 82 routing |page=13 |work=[[Albany Democrat-Herald]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23566310/oregon_board_decides_on_interstate_82/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909073930/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23566310/oregon_board_decides_on_interstate_82/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 19, 1973 |title=I-82 route ok'd by Oregon panel |page=1 |work=Tri-City Herald |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The Washington state government also created a new state highway, SR&nbsp;143, that connected the Umatilla Bridge to Plymouth.<ref>{{cite book |date=April 25, 1973 |title=Session Laws of the State of Washington, 1973 1st extraordinary session |chapter=Chapter 151: State Highways – Route Designations |pages=1096–1097 |chapter-url=http://leg.wa.gov/CodeReviser/documents/sessionlaw/1973ex1c151.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910042221/http://leg.wa.gov/CodeReviser/documents/sessionlaw/1973ex1c151.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-10 |url-status=live |publisher=Washington State Legislature |access-date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> The FHWA approved the routing decision but as late as 1978, attempts were made to propose new alignments for the freeway in Oregon.<ref name="ODOT-IH2004"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Casebolt |first=Barry |date=February 14, 1978 |title=New I-82 link hearings possible |page=5 |work=Tri-City Herald}}</ref>