WA HB2172

State highway segments exceeding two miles or including a bridge that are no longer needed must undergo formal review by the Transportation Commission as "route transfers" rather than simple administrative abandonments

The Transportation Commission must evaluate transfer requests using updated criteria, hold prerequest conferences with requesting parties, and submit annual reports by November 15th identifying costs, risks, and impacts to highway system connectivity

Legislature must approve the final disposition of decommissioned state highway segments through enacted legislation, including options to transfer to local jurisdictions, authorize demolition, or retain as state highway

Criteria for state highway designation are updated to emphasize connectivity, continuity, and functional characteristics, with simplified population thresholds of 1,000 for rural areas and references to U.S. Census designated places

Effective date is July 1, 2026