A state highway to be known as state route number 240 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 24 in the vicinity east of Cold Creek, thence southeasterly by the most feasible route across the Atomic Energy Commission Reservation to a junction with state route number 224 at Richland; also

From that junction with state route number 224 at Richland, thence southerly to a junction with state route number 182 at Richland; also

From a junction with state route number 182 at Richland southeasterly to a junction with state route number 395 at Kennewick. The secretary may enter into negotiations with appropriate federal agencies to secure right-of-way for the highway over and across the Atomic Energy Commission Reservation.