Monday, June 1st 2009
Contact: Bonnie Gilberti
Phone: 360-342-5004

The Washington State Transportation Committee, with the adoption of Resolution No. 692, has named State Route 502 the Battle Ground Highway and a portion of State Route 503 the Lewisville Highway to reflect the history of the City of Battle Ground and its surrounding area, and to provide recognizable names for the major highways that bisect the City of Battle Ground.

The Battle Ground Highway (SR 502), a major east-west highway, provides a 4-mile direct connection from the City of Battle Ground to Interstate 5 with the new interchange that opened in October of 2008. A widening project, scheduled to begin construction in 2012, will widen the Battle Ground Highway from two to four lanes to accommodate increased traffic volume.

The Lewisville Highway (SR 503) refers to Lewisville Park located just north of the City of Battle Ground. The park was built in 1930 and remains one of Clark County's oldest and most beautiful regional parks; Lewisville Park was listed on the register of historic places in 1986. Lewisville Highway is named for the portion of SR 503 from the junction with State Route 500 in Orchards northerly to Amboy. Lewisville Highway provides a connection between the City of Vancouver through the City of Battle Ground to Lewisville Park and more rural areas to the north.

The naming of the Battle Ground Highway and Lewisville Highway will not change street names or mailing addresses, but gives the thoroughfares a regional designation much like the Glenn Jackson Bridge (I-205) or the Sunset Highway (Oregon Hwy 26).

The state legislature and Governor Gregoire requested the Transportation Commission commence proceedings on the naming with Senate Joint Memorial 8006. Battle Ground Mayor Michael Ciraulo thanked local legislators, particularly Senator Joseph Zarelli, for their support, "Our local legislators work hard to support the City of Battle Ground and the surrounding area; Senator Zarelli recognized the naming of the highways to Battle Ground and Lewisville enhances the identity of the City and the region and strongly promoted the idea." In addition to identifying the region, the naming of the highways gives clarification to thoroughfares that have been previously designated with multiple labels.

For more information about the City of Battle Ground, visit www.cityofbg.org or call 360-342-5004.