Mount St. Helens area gained traction in the early 2000s, sparking outcry from scientists and environmentalists. The route, connecting Coldwater Lake to the existing Forest Highway 99 near Windy Ridge and beyond to Forest Highway 25, was supported by officials from Cowlitz and Lewis counties as a tourist draw and a potential evacuation route. WSDOT studied several options for the proposed highway, which enjoyed mixed public support, and estimated a cost of $18.5 million to construct one option and $44 million for another (equivalent to $ and $, respectively, in dollars). The proposed highway was rejected by state legislators due to its cost, despite attempts at salvaging the cheaper proposal by converting it into a toll road. From 2004 until 2006, increased volcanic activity at Mount St. Helens caused a surge in tourist traffic on SR 504, along with periodic shutdowns of the Johnston Ridge section. An evacuation of the area was ordered in early October 2004 due to seismic activity, indicating a possible buildup of magma, forcing 2,500 visitors to leave the Coldwater and Johnston centers for several days. The evacuation was later cancelled and other restrictions were relaxed after steam eruptions diffused pressure inside the volcano. A minor mudslide in March 2007 blocked a section of SR 504 near Kid Valley and was removed after a week-long cleanup by WSDOT crews. Major intersections Spur route SR 504 has a short spur route east of Kid Valley that runs along Sediment Dam Road. It follows a section of the former highway and terminates at a WSDOT maintenance facility near the Toutle River Sediment Dam. An average of 50 vehicles use the road on a daily basis, according to annual daily traffic data measured by WSDOT in 2016. References External links Highways of Washington State Gifford Pinchot National Forest Mount St. Helens 504 Transportation in Cowlitz County, Washington Transportation in Skamania County, Washington