Please sign in to post.

Access to the Manhattan Project at Richland, WA

This is a detailed planning question, which I hope is allowed. I'm not sure if we have anyone on the forum from the Tri-Cities who would know the answer. This is being planned for very late September/very early October in two years time at the earliest (so no issues with baking summer heat). It's frustratingly slipped another year very recently.

I have a fixed appointment/event elsewhere in the state on 27 September then a two day (at least) visit to Yakima on the way over to visit a grave among other things. Hence the date.

To get to the Manhattan Project Visitor Centre for the tours I am looking to get off the Ben Franklin bus at Fire Station 73 then walk up what seems to be a path (not a shoulder) alongside SR240 from the railroad crossing. However when the Google Car went up there, construction was ongoing and I can't tell if that path links up with the Urban Greenway at Jadwin for the small section to the railroad. That little bit looks very hostile on Street View. It also seems I can't walk up Snyder as that appears to have no railroad crossing.

This is the way I personally travel, so please don't tell me Uber. But I hope you can see I have used the travel tools I have to try to answer this myself.

This isn't my style to ask this kind of question.

I will also be honest and say that there is a small (just developing, and not really favoured) chance that this will become a road trip, in which case the question vanishes.

Posted by
908 posts

Hello - never been here but know a few things about it.

Are you trying to see the B Reactor? Have you consulted here? https://manhattanprojectbreactor.hanford.gov/
There's a Contact us - [email protected] and a phone 509 376 1647 where they can tell you where the bus drops off - it would be nice if they had a 'how to get here' link, too.

(and jealous btw, would love to go on a tour there!)

Posted by
2771 posts

I have lived in Yakima /Toppenish several times. Two days in Yakima is a lot. Not knowing what your plans are of course, if you could cut a day in Yakima I would.

Posted by
4176 posts

While this will not help with the logistics of your visit , this book will be a must for the telling of the tale . I've read it several times and it's one of those " You can't put it down " books . The whole story of Nuclear Physics is told , culminating in the bomb itself , and written in a manner that allows a lay person to understand the underlying science https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Making_of_the_Atomic_Bomb

Posted by
2802 posts

It's possible the unfriendly footpath situation will be resolved in two years time, but whether the Google street view is updated timely is another matter. As suggested you might want to try calling the visitor center, or consider staying in Richland. It does look like they have taxi service in Richland. If you do end up having a car, the wine country near Tri Cities is really quite worth an exploration.

Posted by
8394 posts

I am actually trying to do both tours- the reactor tour and the pre WW2 tour, hopefully on successive days.

All almost but not quite at the end of a long trip.

Until this gravestone came to light in Yakima and the fascinating story behind it I had only ever seen Yakima as a quick stopover before flying home the next day via SEA - because I like my little airports. However I have been in correspondence with local studies at the Yakima Library service and learnt a lot more about the history of the City (plus I am big on my transit and there is the Historic Trolley Service to cover, especially as I have now lost the Issaquah trolleys). There is a kind of compromise to make in time terms to make the last Hanford tours of the season (I know they unexpectedly at the last minute added in further October tours this year). Two days is now my bare minimum for Yakima.

Posted by
6865 posts

Well, it's the Palm Springs of Washington, gotta love that.

(And the airport is perfectly nice, though there's a...um, let's just say "controversial"  plan to make it the next Seattle International Airport, a plan which has not progressed very far yet...we'll see about that).

My favorite place to go get some cherries (in season).

Posted by
2771 posts

Dave--You owe me a new keyboard, lol! I laugh every time I see that sign.

Posted by
12044 posts

So 2027 is when you plan to do the trip? If so, that should work out well for your plan to take both Tours. I was there this past Oct., just before they shut down the Tour to the B Reactor, for 2 years to restore the roof on the Reactor building. There were places you could see blue sky from inside the building if you looked up.

As I was driving I didn't pay particular attention to what pedestrian path might have been present between the Fire Station and the area north of the train tracks. I don't think there is a dedicated path for pedestrians there.

If you are not in a vehicle for that stretch, wear something BRIGHT.

If you are hungry after the tour Firehouse Subs, is mile north, on Hwy 240 from the visitor center, and has really good sub sandwiches.

Posted by
8394 posts

Oh crumbs, I am aiming for the fall of 2026. (an edited version of my first private thoughts!).

Nothing that I can see on the website about that.

And last night I found out that the Columbia River Maritime Museum are starting a 2 year programme of work shortly. I don't believe they are closing as such, but doubtless a lot of disruption. And the usual museum speak to justify the inconvenience and cost.

Posted by
12044 posts

You can use the email provide in this -- https://manhattanprojectbreactor.hanford.gov/index.cfm?tour=contact

to contact them and verify.

Back in August when I was planning our Fall trip there was a news piece about the upcoming closure of the B Reactor tour. When I was there the guide mentioned the long overdue roof repair project was finally going to happen and it would cause the tours to be suspended for 2 years. Also said the other tour, the pre WWII one would not be affected..

I did just look at the website and I see it still showed the registration for the 2024 dates.

With a bit of luck perhaps by Sept 2026 the roofing will be done and the tours will resume.? Probably be the summer of 2026 before they would know.