MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Oso community looking to rename stretch of SR 530 ‘Oso Memorial Highway’

Dec 17, 2018, 3:12 PM | Updated: 11:06 pm

Oso...

The site of the tragic Oso mudslide in March 2018. (Hanna Scott, KIRO Radio)

(Hanna Scott, KIRO Radio)

It’s the stretch of highway that runs along the site of one of the worst disasters the state has ever seen, and those most impacted by the deadly 2014 Oso landslide are hoping to get that part of SR 530 a new name.

We’ve been telling you about the efforts of volunteers and the families and loved ones of the 43 people killed in the 2014 to build a permanent memorial at the slide site.

In a separate effort, John Hadaway — whose brother Steven was among those killed in the slide — says they’re also lobbying the state Transportation Commission to rename the stretch of highway 530 between Arlington and Darrington the Oso Memorial Highway.

“It’s just another step to accomplish the goals we all want to accomplish,” John Hadaway told KIRO Radio. “The big thing for me and a lot of the families is — it’s everybody’s family member, the community, volunteers, the firefighters, FEMA — this is who it’s for, plus the big thing is the 43 people, to keep their legacy alive with everything that went on. It needs to be there.”

RELATED: Public face of Oso slide shares story to help raise money for memorial

For John, and others touched by the slide traveling down that stretch of the highway just in front of where the Steelhead Drive neighborhood was can be a difficult experience. But most endure it, and travel to the site at lease once a year if not more to visit the 43 trees that were planted for each of those killed in the slide.

“It’s hard to put into words what I’m feeling, but it’s a whole new world when you drive through there,” he said. “I’ve met people that just heard about it on the news down there, and I’m over by my brother’s tree, and they will come over and tap me on the shoulder and asked me if I lost someone and they’re crying. And we’d hug; never knew the person until that second. It has a lot of emotion, it’s going to have a lot of history.”

RELATED: The Oso firefighters who refused to leave anyone in the mud

For John, renaming the highway is important for the legacy of his brother Steven.

“He was just on the job installing a satellite dish, and that day he went to work and he didn’t come home. It means a lot to me to have his legacy be a part of this. When people go, they’re going to see my brother.”

But in order to get the highway renamed Oso Memorial Highway, they need your help in the form of letters of support for the plan to the state Transportation Commission.

Local leaders are also getting involved, including state lawmakers from the area. The Snohomish County Council is expected to pass a resolution Wednesday in support of the proposal to rename the highway that will be passed on to the transportation commission.

Find the Oso Memorial Highway letter here

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

9 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

10 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

12 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

12 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

13 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

16 hours ago

Oso community looking to rename stretch of SR 530 ‘Oso Memorial Highway’