Washington State Route 543

Infobox road
state=WA
highway_name=State Route 543
name_notes=
type=SR
route=543
alternate_name=Pacific Highwaycite web|url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/AFDDA538-123B-43F8-A166-B30BAA34C492/0/40yearsReport.pdf|title= Forty Years with the Washington Department of Highways|publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation|accessdate=2008-08-17]
section=
maint=WSDOT

---

length_mi=1.09
length_round=2
length_ref=cite web|url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/mapsdata/TDO/PDF_and_ZIP_Files/HwyLog2007.pdf|title=State Highway Log - Planning Report|date=2007|publisher=Washington State Department of Transportation|pages=pg 1562|accessdate=2008-08-17]
length_notes=
established=1919 "as Pacific Highway"
decommissioned=
direction_a=south
starting_terminus=jct|state=WA|I|5|city1=Blaine
direction_b=north
ending_terminus=jct|state=BC|Hwy|15|city1=Douglas
previous_type=SR
previous_route=542
next_type=SR
next_route=544
browse=

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 convert|1.09|mi|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.cite press release |title=Omnibus Spending Bill Includes 2nd District Priorities |publisher=Rep. Rick Larsen |date=2004-11-20 |url=http://www.house.gov/larsen/news/press2003-2004/pr_041120.html |accessdate=2008-08-17]

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 Canadacite map|url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=blaine,+wa&ie=UTF8&ll=48.994411,-122.733507&spn=0.020161,0.063429&z=14 |title=State Route 543 overview | publisher=Google Maps |cartography=NAVTEQ |accessdate=2008-08-17] . 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.cite web|url=http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/listing/offices/office398-e.html|title=Directory of CBSA Offices|date=2008-08-13|publisher=Canadian Border Services Agency|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-17]

History

Prior to the current naming scheme, this route was designated as Primary State Highway 1 Truck Route.cite web|url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/6836215D-E301-43F3-895A-472BD2FDE86A/0/Identification.pdf|title=Identification of State Highways|last=Prahl|first=C, G, |date=1965-12-01|publisher=Washington State Highway Commission|accessdate=2008-09-10|format=PDF]

A construction project was completed in August 2008cite web|url=http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR543/I5_Canadian/|title=SR 543 - I-5 to Canadian Border - Additional Lanes for Freight|date=August 2008|publisher=| accessdate=2008-08-17 | title=Lane diagram of SR-543 |format=JPG]

Major intersections

References

External links

* [http://www.borderlineups.com/webcams.php?CamID=7 US Border crossing camera]