Editing Interstate 82 (section)

===Later years===

I-80N was renumbered to [[Interstate 84 (Oregon–Utah)|I-84]] in 1980 as part of a mandate by [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]] to eliminate [[List of suffixed Interstate Highways|suffixed routes]] and reduce traveler confusion.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 1, 1980 |title=I-80N becomes I-84 May 1 |page=B4 |work=The Oregonian}}</ref> The designation of I-82 fell outside the standard numbering scheme for Interstates, which uses comparatively higher numbers for the northernmost east–west routes.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 2006 |title=Interstate 84 – Idaho |url=http://www.itd.idaho.gov/50.Years/I_50_I_84.html |publisher=[[Idaho Transportation Department]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901075250/http://www.itd.idaho.gov/50.Years/I_50_I_84.html |archive-date=September 1, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Fausset |first=Richard |date=November 13, 2001 |title=Highway Numerology Muddled by Potholes in Logic |page=B2 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-nov-13-me-3653-story.html |access-date=October 3, 2018 |archive-date=April 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402132246/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/nov/13/local/me-3653 |url-status=live }}</ref> A 1970s proposal to renumber I-82 to remain in compliance with the numbering scheme was rejected by the Washington State Department of Highways due to the cost of sign replacement and potential for public confusion.<ref>{{cite letter |last=Andrews |first=George H. |recipient=E. D. Tisdale |date=June 9, 1975 |subject=Renumbering of I-82 |url=https://na4.visualvault.com/app/AASHTO/Default/documentviewer?DhID=581b9e46-01d5-ea11-a98a-ff9beffbfef8&hidemenu=true |publisher=Washington State Department of Highways |via=AASHTO Route Numbering Archive |accessdate=September 24, 2022}}</ref>

In 1999, the [[Oregon Legislative Assembly]] passed a bill directing ODOT to study a proposal for an extension of I-82 to the [[California]] or [[Nevada]] border.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 2, 1999 |title=Chapter 1072, Oregon Laws 1999 |url=https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/lawsstatutes/1999orLaw1072.html |publisher=[[Oregon Legislative Assembly]] |access-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-date=September 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910131351/https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/lawsstatutes/1999orLaw1072.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Sinks |date=July 1, 1999 |title=East side freeway notion revived |work=The Bend Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bulletin-east-side-freeway-notion-re/172630758/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=May 18, 2025}}</ref> The proposal included the potential use of [[toll road|road tolls]] to finance the new freeway, but it was later dismissed by ODOT.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sinks |first=James |date=January 12, 2000 |title=ODOT says Oregon toll roads not likely soon |page=A1 |work=The Bend Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bulletin-odot-says-oregon-toll-roads/172641798/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=May 18, 2025}}</ref> The I-82 extension study was completed two years later and outlined three general routes that would replace existing north–south highways in eastern Oregon. The westernmost route would follow [[U.S. Route 97 in Oregon|US&nbsp;97]] from [[Klamath Falls, Oregon|Klamath Falls]] through [[Bend, Oregon|Bend]] and [[Redmond, Oregon|Redmond]] to [[Biggs Junction, Oregon|Biggs Junction]], relying on I-84 to complete its connection with I-82. A variation of the route with a direct connection to I-82 near Hermiston would branch off at [[Madras, Oregon|Madras]] and travel northeastward through a mountainous region along [[Oregon Route 218|Route&nbsp;218]] and [[Oregon Route 207|Route&nbsp;207]]. The easternmost route would follow [[U.S. Route 395 in Oregon|US&nbsp;395]] between the California border and Pendleton, passing through a less-densely populated region but serving [[Burns, Oregon|Burns]] and [[John Day, Oregon|John Day]].<ref name="ODOT-2001Study">{{cite report |author=ODOT Transportation Development Division |date=April 2001 |title=Study of Eastern Oregon Freeway Alternatives, Pursuant to House Bill 3090 |url=https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Planning/Documents/Eastern-Oregon-Freeway-Alternatives-Study.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905141100/https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Planning/Documents/Eastern-Oregon-Freeway-Alternatives-Study.pdf |archive-date=2018-09-05 |url-status=live |publisher=Oregon Department of Transportation |access-date=September 9, 2018}}</ref> The study found that a new freeway would have little effect on economic growth in eastern Oregon and congestion relief in the [[Willamette Valley]], but would provide a suitable alternative route for long-haul travel.<ref name="ODOT-2001Study"/>

Since the 1990s, the Washington state government has improved or rebuilt several interchanges on I-82, particularly in the Yakima area. In 1998, [[Washington State Route 823|SR&nbsp;823]] was extended southward from Selah to northern Yakima via a new road in the median of I-82, whose bridges over the Naches and Yakima rivers were also refurbished.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gonzales |first=Neil |date=August 16, 1998 |title=Selah's I-82 project picks up speed |page=A1 |work=Yakima Herald-Republic |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18477978.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817125003/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18477978.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 17, 2018 |access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Nelson |first=Wes |date=November 26, 1998 |title=Finally&nbsp;– It's All Starting to Connect |page=A1 |work=Yakima Herald-Republic |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18480450.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817124959/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18480450.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 17, 2018 |access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref> The [[Valley Mall (Yakima)|Valley Mall]] interchange in Union Gap was rebuilt from 2009 to 2011 using a series of roundabouts and a loop ramp to replace the existing freeway ramps. In 2010, two overpasses carrying I-82 were demolished and replaced with new structures that would accommodate a future widening project.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 2011 |title=Valley Mall Boulevard Interchange Project Folio |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E3045066-2037-4F22-821A-D33124369BB9/0/Folio_I82ValleyMallBlvdIC_110531.pdf |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207055328/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E3045066-2037-4F22-821A-D33124369BB9/0/Folio_I82ValleyMallBlvdIC_110531.pdf |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Faulk |first=Mike |date=October 30, 2011 |title=Officials celebrate completion of I-82 interchange |work=Yakima Herald-Republic |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-29997420.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922101729/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-29997420.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 22, 2018 |access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref> A separate proposal in the early 2010s included a third lane for I-82 in northern Yakima, but it was postponed in favor of the building of a new interchange and east–west road at the [[Cascade Mill]] development site.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bain |first=Kaitlin |date=January 23, 2017 |title=Boise Cascade Mill site in Yakima may get new life |url=https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/boise-cascade-mill-site-in-yakima-may-get-new-life/article_0646d5b2-e134-11e6-a4c0-8bc6f2d27688.html |work=Yakima Herald-Republic |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208060613/https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/boise-cascade-mill-site-in-yakima-may-get-new-life/article_0646d5b2-e134-11e6-a4c0-8bc6f2d27688.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=I-82 – US 12 to Yakima Ave – Corridor Improvements |url=https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I82/YakimaLanes/default.htm |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=December 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209092637/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I82/YakimaLanes/default.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> A proposal to add [[climbing lane]]s for trucks on the steep grades in the Manastash Ridge between Ellensburg and Yakima was made in the 2000s and remains unfunded {{as of|2017|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=I-82 – Thrall Road to Manastash |url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I82/ThrallManashtash |publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726194117/http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I82/ThrallManashtash |archive-date=July 26, 2017 |access-date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>

I-82's current interchange with [[Washington State Route 224|SR&nbsp;224]] in Kiona was rebuilt in 2016 and will be supplemented with a new interchange serving the [[Red Mountain AVA]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Culverwell |first=Wendy |date=June 13, 2016 |title=New Benton City roundabout is first funded by new gas tax |url=http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article83482177.html |work=Tri-City Herald |access-date=September 21, 2018 |archive-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618102546/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article83482177.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction of the new interchange, which was intended to divert traffic bound for the winery region and new development near West Richland, was proposed by local politicians in the early 2000s but failed to earn funding from the state.<ref>{{cite news |last=Adame |first=Vicki |date=February 16, 2004 |title=Developing agendas |page=A1 |work=Tri-City Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Trumbo |first=John |date=February 9, 2010 |title=Benton funding bid shrinks |page=B1 |work=Tri-City Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111018442/benton-funding-bid-shrinks/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=October 9, 2022 |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010000421/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111018442/benton-funding-bid-shrinks/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The project was postponed in September 2019 after federal officials stated that the traffic volumes would be too low to justify an interchange.<ref>{{cite news |last=Culverwell |first=Wendy |date=September 26, 2019 |title=Feds kill $30 million Red Mountain interchange – for now. There's not enough traffic |url=https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article235467297.html |work=Tri-City Herald |access-date=November 24, 2019 |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002091755/https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/article235467297.html |url-status=live }}</ref>