U.S. Route 197

U.S. Route 197 is a north–south United States Highway running between The Dalles in Oregon and Dallesport in Washington. The route connects the Columbia River crossings near the The Dalles Dam and serves as a regional link for Interstate 84, U.S. Route 97, and local arterials serving Wasco County and Klickitat County. Established in the early twentieth century during the nationwide expansion of the United States Numbered Highway System, the highway has seen alignments, upgrades, and multimodal interactions involving Bonneville Dam, Portland, and regional freight corridors.

Route description

The route begins at a junction with U.S. Route 97 near The Dalles, proceeding north along corridors that parallel the Columbia River and pass near landmarks such as the The Dalles Reservoir, John Day River, and access to Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Along its course it intersects Interstate 84, provides access toward Mount Hood National Forest, and connects with state highways that lead to Hood River and Cascade Locks. Approaching the Columbia, the highway crosses the river via a crossing that provides explicit linkage to Dallesport and ties into Washington state routes serving Goldendale and White Salmon. The corridor serves local commuters, tourist traffic to Columbia River Gorge, and freight movements linked to Portland–Vancouver supply chains.

History

The route’s origins trace to early auto trails and the expansion of the United States Numbered Highway System in the 1920s, contemporaneous with projects such as the construction of the Bonneville Dam and later the The Dalles Dam. Federal policy decisions during the Great Depression and the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 influenced upgrades and maintenance. Key historical developments included realignments to better serve river crossings after the completion of hydroelectric projects and improved interchanges connecting to Interstate 84. Local and state agencies, including the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Transportation, implemented resurfacing and safety improvements in response to increased truck volumes tied to growth in Columbia River maritime traffic and regional agriculture centered in Wasco County and Klickitat County.

Major intersections

Major intersections include the southern terminus junction with U.S. Route 97 near The Dalles, an interchange serving Interstate 84 that connects to Portland and Boise, and the Columbia River crossing into Washington near Dallesport. Northbound connections link to Washington state routes leading toward US 12, corridors serving Vancouver freight routes, and local arterials providing access to Maryhill and Goldendale. The highway's intersections facilitate access to rail terminals and river ports tied to Union Pacific Railroad and regional barge terminals on the Columbia River.

Related routes

The highway interfaces with several related numbered routes in the regional network, including U.S. Route 97 to the south, Interstate 84 to the west, and connecting state highways in Oregon and Washington. The corridor has functional relationships with U.S. Route 30, U.S. Route 395, and U.S. Route 26 via interchange and concurrency segments for regional routing and detour planning. Maintenance and planning coordination involves agencies such as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Federal Highway Administration, and regional metropolitan planning organizations that manage projects affecting intermodal freight connections to Portland International Airport and Inland ports serving Columbia Basin agriculture.

Traffic and usage

Traffic volumes on the route reflect a mix of local commuter flow, seasonal tourist traffic bound for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and freight traffic supporting agricultural exports from Wasco County and mineral shipments in Klickitat County. Peak seasonal demand aligns with recreational seasons and events in nearby communities such as The Dalles, Hood River, and Goldendale. Traffic management, safety improvements, and freight planning continue to be priorities for the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Transportation, with studies occasionally coordinated with the Federal Highway Administration and regional metropolitan planning organizations.

Category:United States Numbered Highways