 A $1,500,000 levy (equivalent to about $ today) was approved in 1913 to improve and expand the state's highways.The majority of the levy ($590,743) went to construction of the Sunset Highway between Spokane and Seattle.This major cross-state highway would pass directly through Cle Elum's business district, and as it was one of the first towns reached after traveling east across the pass, would greatly benefit from its construction.