Washington State Route 543
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| State Route 543 |
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| Pacific Highway[1] Maintained by WSDOT |
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| Length: | 1.09 mi[2] (1.75 km) | ||||||||||||
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| Formed: | 1919 as Pacific Highway[1] | ||||||||||||
| south end: | .svg){kind=small} I-5 – Blaine |
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| north end: |  Hwy 15 – Douglas |
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State Route 543 (SR 543) is a state highway in the U.S. state of Washington, serving as an alternative route for passenger vehicles through the border between Canada and the United States. The route is entirely in Whatcom county and is 1.09 miles (1.75 km) in length. SR 543 is the designated truck crossing into Canada from Interstate 5, as trucks are not permitted through the Peace Arch border crossing that directly links Interstate 5 and British Columbia Highway 99. Over 3,000 trucks per day pass through the border crossing.[3]
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[edit] Route description
SR 543 begins at a partial interchange with Interstate 5, and heads in a northernly direction, intersecting Boblett Street, which provides access to the Blaine Municipal Airport. as a two lane undivided road. Shortly after the intersection, a customs bound truck queuing lane is added on the eastern shoulder and stays with the highway through intersections with H and D Streets. Canada bound traffic crosses through a Canadian customs station inside of Canada, while U.S. bound traffic goes through customs still inside of Canada[4]. There are duty-free shops on both sides of the border as well.
The border crossing is a participant in the NEXUS frequent traveler program as well.[5]
[edit] History
Prior to the current naming scheme, this route was designated as Primary State Highway 1 Truck Route.[6]
A construction project was completed in August 2008[7], at a total cost of $50.8 million, which improved the interchange with D street, which is now rasied above SR 543. The left lane from SR 543 in each direction is raised above for travelers wishing to access D Street, while the rest of the traffic continues below the intersection. Two additional lanes have been added going northbound, and one additional lane has been added southbound.[8]
[edit] Major intersections
| County | Location[2] | Mile[2] | Destinations | Notes |
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| Whatcom | Blaine | 0.00 | I-5 south – Bellingham, Seattle |
Southbound exit and northbound entrance |
| 1.09 | Canada – United States border | |||
| Continues as British Columbia Highway 15 | ||||
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Forty Years with the Washington Department of Highways". Washington State Department of Transportation. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ a b c "State Highway Log - Planning Report" pg 1562. Washington State Department of Transportation (2007). Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ Rep. Rick Larsen (2004-11-20). "Omnibus Spending Bill Includes 2nd District Priorities". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ Google Maps. State Route 543 overview [map]. Cartography by NAVTEQ. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ "Directory of CBSA Offices" (in English). Canadian Border Services Agency (2008-08-13). Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ Prahl, C, G, (1965-12-01). "Identification of State Highways" (PDF). Washington State Highway Commission. Retrieved on 2008-09-10.
- ^ "SR 543 - I-5 to Canadian Border - Additional Lanes for Freight". Washington State Department of Transportation (August 2008). Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
- ^ Washington State Department of Transportation. Lane diagram of SR-543 [map]. Retrieved on 2008-08-17.
[edit] External links
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| SR 500 - SR 501 - SR 502 - SR 503 (Spur) - SR 504 (Spur) - SR 505 - SR 506 - SR 507 - SR 508 - SR 509 - SR 510 - SR 512 - SR 513 - SR 515 - SR 516 - SR 518 - SR 519 - SR 520 - SR 522 - SR 523 - SR 524 (Spur: Edmonds, Lynnwood) - SR 525 (Spur) - SR 526 - SR 527 - SR 528 - SR 529 (Spur) - SR 530 - SR 531 - SR 532 - SR 534 - SR 536 - SR 538 - SR 539 - SR 542 - SR 543 - SR 544 - SR 546 - SR 547 - SR 548 - SR 599 | |
| Former or proposed state routes: SR 514 - SR 537 - SR 540 | |
