oregon highway 99

Oregon Highway 99 is a state highway that runs between the northern and southern border of Oregon. Oregon 99 was formed from parts of the former U.S. Highway 99; it shares much of its route with Interstate 5, but much of it is also independent. Between Portland and Junction City, the highway is forked into two routes: Oregon Highway 99W and 99E.

Description

99W

Oregon 99W begins as a route leading out of the Portland city center, where it continues as a arterial which cuts across southwest Portland (for several miles, parallel to Interstate 5) and Portland's southwestern suburbs, including Tigard and Tualatin. It continues south through Willamette Valley farmland, and is considered a scenic route, passing through towns such as McMinnville and Corvallis. South of Corvallis, it intersects 99E.

99E

Oregon 99E begins as Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in northeast Portland. It travels south through southeast Portland and some of Portland's southeast suburbs, such as Gladstone and Oregon City. After leaving the suburbs, it winds through the Willamette Valley, through farmland, until it rejoins Interstate 5 in Salem. In Salem, a business spur route travels blocks away form the Oregon State Capitol and Willamette University. A little over 20 miles south of Salem, 99E becomes independent of Interstate 5 again in Albany. It continues south through Willamette Valley farmland until it intersects with 99W in Junction City, and becomes 99.

99

South of Junction City, Oregon 99 leads to Eugene, which it crosses along the east-west axis, passing the University of Oregon before rejoining Interstate 5 in southeast Eugene. From there, Oregon 99 shares much of its route with the interstate, although it frequently separates to provide surface-level access to cities and towns along the freeway, as I-5 winds its way through the "State of Jefferson". Oregon 99 provides access to towns and cities such as Cottage Grove, Drain, Sutherlin, Roseburg, Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashland. After Ashland, it is duplexed with Interstate 5 until the California border.