Musings of Fellow Travellers

Posted by cahwyguy

https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17371

Two months into retirement. I may be starting to get the hang of this. I’m working on podcast episodes, and doing deep dives into areas as a result of that. However, given that I just did a highway page update, you won’t be seeing the results of some of those deep dives until the next round of updates (and that includes the dives related to Route 9 and Route 10). I also got a chance to go visit the LA Metro Archives, which will result in yet another podcast bonus episode.

Speaking of the podcast: We’re experimenting with a new approach to recording, as FCC was sounding increasingly muddled. We started using new recording software  (Zencaster) for the bonus episode posted in August. It seems to be better, although I still need to adjust microphone distance. That’s what bonus episodes are for—a place to experiment a little to improve the podcast, while giving some breathing space to write the next batch of episodes. I have two written related to Route 8, and when I get back from vacation I’ll be writing the episodes related to Route 9 and Route 10, and starting the deep dive for Route 11 (which will likely include I-110 as well). The Route 8 episodes will go over all things Route 8 and US 80, both within San Diego and Point Loma (Ep. 4.01) and from La Mesa to the Arizona border, with a discussion of the Imperial Highway (Ep. 4.02). But first, we’ll have one more bonus episode featuring an interview with the LA Metro archivist. That’ll be recorded when I get back, and drop before the end of September.

It looks like the regular audience is between 60-70 folks, and I’d love to get that number up. You can help. Please tell your friends about the podcast, “like”, “”, or “favorite” it, and give it a rating in your favorite podcatcher. Share the podcast on Facebook groups, and in your Bluesky and Mastodon communities. For those that hear the early episodes, the sound quality of the episodes does get better — we were learning. If you know sound editing, feel free to give me advice (I use Audacity to edit). As always, you can keep up with the show at the podcast’s forever home at https://www.caroutebyroute.org , the show’s page on Spotify for Creators, or you can subscribe through your favorite podcatching app or via the RSS feeds (CARxR, Spotify for Creators) . The following episode has been posted this month:

• CA RxR 3.14: Freeway Exit (Bonus). Bonus Episode 3.14 continues our inter-season gap between Seasons 3 and 4. This episode we’re sharing an episode of the excellent Freeway Exit podcast from KPBS San Diego. Freeway Exit, hosted by Andrew Bowen, is an exploration of San Diego’s freeways, their costs, and how they can be part of the solution. It covers the forgotten history of the urban freeway network, and how decades after that network was finished, some communities are still working to heal the wounds that freeways left behind. The episode we’ve chosen to share focuses on the Cabrillo Freeway, Route 163, through Balboa Park, and explores the question: Is it time to remove the freeway? After the episode, we have a discussion with Andrew about the podcast, the the San Diego freeway system, and how highways fit into the bigger picture. Oh, and we discover what he is doing next with the podcast, and try to convince him to do one on the Route 710 gap. This episode is also a test of using Zencaster to record the podcast. Hopefully it sounds better, and next time I’ll move my microphone a bit further back. Zencaster also gives us the ability to have transcripts. Would folks want them included in the post? One more bonus episode is in the works: An interview with the LA Metro Archivist. We’ll pick up in the October with Season 4, which will cover Route 8 through Route 14.  PS: Support KPBS, or your local PBS/NPR Station (Spotify for Podcasters)

As a reminder: One of the sources for the highway page updates (and the raison d’etre for for this post) are headlines about California Highways that I’ve seen over the last month. I collect them in this post, which serves as fodder for the updates to my California Highways site, and so there are also other pages and things I’ve seen that I wanted to remember for the site updates. Lastly, the post also includes some things that I think would be of peripheral interest to my highway-obsessed highway-interested readers.

Well, you should now be up to date. Here are the headlines that I found about California’s highways for August.

Key

[Ħ Historical information | ＄ Paywalls, ＄＄ really obnoxious paywalls, and ∅ other annoying restrictions. I’m no longer going to list the paper names, as I’m including them in the headlines now. Note: For ＄ paywalls, sometimes the only way is incognito mode, grabbing the text before the paywall shows, and pasting into an editor. See this article for more tips on bypassing paywalls. ☊ indicates an primarily audio article. ↈ indicates a primarily video article. ]

Highway Headlines

• SR-99 In Northern Madera County EIR/EA (FB/Caltrans District 6). Madera County: Caltrans would like the public’s input on a project on SR-99 in northern Madera County. The project is still years away but we have set up two public meetings. The first is a virtual meeting on Tuesday, August 19th starting at 6:00 pm. The other is being held at Fairmead Elementary on Thursday, August 21st, starting at 6:30 pm. Hopefully you can attend because we want to hear from you.
• ＄ Marin agency approves contracts for Highway 101 bus lane project (Marin I-J). A plan to construct a part-time transit-only lane on a congested stretch of Highway 101 between Novato and San Rafael is gaining momentum. The board governing the Transportation Authority of Marin has approved contracts to perform engineering and environmental review of the project on an approximately 10-mile southbound segment of the freeway. Approvals include a $910,000 contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc., which will lead the planning, and $200,000 with Caltrans, which owns the highway property and will provide oversight. The contracts were approved at the July 24 board meeting. “The addition of part-time transit lanes is a forward-thinking initiative to help speed up bus travel on Highway 101,” said Nancy Whelan, general manager of Marin Transit, the county’s local fixed-route bus provider. The project area is between De Long Avenue in Novato and North San Pedro Road in northern San Rafael. The estimated $7 million project would create a lane on the highway shoulder and merging lanes, allowing public buses to bypass traffic jams, shaving minutes off commute times.
• ＄ Marin highway repair projects get $47M from state (Marin I-J). Caltrans has been awarded more than $47 million in state funding to advance three repair projects at critical passages on highways in Marin County. The largest allocation is a $45 million award to support the rehabilitation of the Petaluma River Bridge on Highway 37 on the outskirts of Novato. Another $1.3 million will go toward a slope repair on a storm-damaged section of Highway 1 in the Woodville area of western Marin. A $920,000 allocation will pay for another slide repair along Highway 101 near Marin City. The funding comes from the State Highway Operation and Protection Program, which is supported with a mix of revenue from Senate Bill 1 gas tax funds and federal sources.
• ＄ Richmond bridge bike path plan gets key support (Marin I-J). A plan to convert the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike path to a part-time feature has received a recommendation of approval, with conditions. A public hearing set for Thursday could mark the conclusion of a series of meetings on what to do with the route, which is on the westbound upper deck. Caltrans, which owns the bridge, and the Bay Area Toll Authority, which funds the operations and maintenance of the span through toll revenue, want to limit path access to the period from 2 p.m. Thursdays to 11 p.m. Sundays. For the remainder of the week, the moveable barrier would be pushed to the side, enabling the shoulder to be used as a vehicle breakdown and emergency lane during heavy commuting hours. It would also give the agencies time to study the potential use of the shoulder as a part-time commuter lane for carpools and transit. In its recommendation, the staff of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, or BCDC, said the state agency is charged with ensuring “maximum feasible public access consistent with the project,” and the three-year pilot project achieves that.
• Interstate 80 express toll lanes could officially launch in Solano County before year’s end (CBS Sacramento). On at least one stretch of Interstate 80, Sacramento area drivers are seeing fewer orange cones. It’s good news for those used to construction-related traffic delays up and down the corridor. A Caltrans project in its final stages is set to launch new FasTrak express lanes on I-80 in both directions from Vacaville’s 505 interchange to Fairfield, as soon as December. In late June, Caltrans wrapped up construction of a brand new express lane in Vacaville that stretches down to Fairfield, where an existing HOV lane was converted to an express lane. The project took about a year and a half to complete.
• All Hail the Humble Speed Hump, the Best Cheap Traffic-Safety Fix (Bloomberg). You can find lots of things on the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts: an abundance of bike lanes, shops hawking Harvard merch, and empty Sam Adams bottles. But you won’t find the raised, rounded protrusions of asphalt that are widespread throughout many other municipalities. “We’ve never done speed humps in Cambridge,” said Brooke McKenna, the city’s transportation commissioner. “We’ve gotten so many requests, and we’ve always said, ‘I’m going to refer you to our traffic calming program.’” There, staff consider full-fledged roadway overhauls, which can take years to implement.
• Lake Tahoe Construction Project Updates (Caltrans). Caltrans is advising motorists of various lane closures next week due to multiple construction projects in the Lake Tahoe region. Along State Route 28 (SR 28) in Placer County, drainage and electrical work continues in preparation for a $31.7 million Caltrans pavement project. In Tahoe City along SR 28, work is scheduled around the clock from Sunday, August 3 at 7 p.m. through Friday, August 8 at 7 a.m. between Mackinaw Road and Jackpine Street. The paving portion of this project in Tahoe City is scheduled to begin Sunday evening, August 10. Specific locations will be announced Friday, August 8. Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City will be closed to traffic Monday, August 4 through Friday, August 8 from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m. in preparation of the Fanny Bridge Replacement Project.
• Caltrans may remove shoulder parking along State Route 79 in Descanso (Fox 5 San Diego). Business owners in the small community of Descanso are pushing back against a proposed plan from Caltrans that would remove shoulder parking along State Route 79, spaces they say are critical for their businesses survival. Caltrans says the move is part of an effort to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. But for restaurant and shop owners, the plan could mean losing customers. “Descanso means a place of rest, and that’s kind of what it is to me,” said Brett Cooker, owner of the local restaurant Descanso Junction. “It’s a very peaceful area, great people, great community
• Major East Bay Highway To Close For 55 Hours (Fremont, CA Patch). The northbound side of Interstate 680 at the Mission San Jose (State Route 238) overpass in Fremont will be closed for 55 hours for critical bridge and pavement repair work, and Caltrans is warning drivers to be prepared for delays. The closures will affect Interstate 680’s northbound lanes starting Friday at 8 p.m., when lane reductions will begin. At 10 p.m., work is scheduled to start, and the northbound side of Interstate 680 will be fully closed. The work is scheduled to last until Monday at 5 a.m., according to Caltrans.

• Caltrans begins $2.23M paving project on Highway 44 in Redding (KRCR Chico-Redding via MSN). The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans District 2) is set to begin a $2.23 million paving project along State Route 44 in Redding. The Sundial RHMA-G Project will start on the night of Sunday, July 20, with construction taking place between Downtown Redding and the junction with Interstate 5. The project involves resurfacing the highway with rubberized hot mix asphalt from the Continental Street Undercrossing to near Interstate 5. No work will be conducted on bridge decks, guardrails or drainage inlets. The project also includes striping, fog sealing of shoulders and paving on the on/off ramps for Sundial Bridge Drive/Park Marina Drive as well as the Interstate 5 connectors.
• Expanded Bay Bridge bike lanes among Caltrans future projects, more coming to Bay Area highways (ABC 7 San Francisco via MSN). More bike lanes could soon be coming to many Bay Area roadways. On Tuesday, Caltrans released its updated Bay Area Bike Plan, which lays out how the organization hopes to transform many of the state highways in our region by adding more cycling infrastructure. “Freeways are going where a lot of people want to go, they’re connecting city A to city B and C and D,” Caltrans spokesperson Jeff Weiss said. “And so having an alternate alongside a freeway is a real boost to people.”
• Caltrans to Implement New Traffic Pattern on Highway 1 at Santa Lucia Canyon Road Near Lompoc (The Santa Barbara Independent). Caltrans will begin work to modify the intersection of Highway 1/Santa Lucia Canyon Road which will include the elimination of left-turn maneuvers from Santa Lucia Canyon Road onto northbound Highway 1. This modification to the traffic pattern will result in temporary ramp closures at Santa Lucia Canyon Road and Constellation Road on Tuesday, August 12 during the overnight hours. The public can expect full closure of Santa Lucia Canyon from southbound Highway 1 to Washington Avenue and partial closure of the southbound Constellation Road off-ramp. Santa Lucia Canyon will be closed from 6 pm to 5 am and Constellation will be closed 8 pm to 5 am. Detour signs have been posted to alert travelers of the upcoming roadwork. Once the left-turn maneuver is eliminated, motorists wishing to travel north onto Hwy. 1 from Santa Lucia Canyon Road will make a right turn onto southbound Hwy. 1 to Constellation Road before returning north on Highway 1.
• East County leaders calling for safety improvements to SR-67 (NBC 7 San Diego). A series of deadly car crashes on state Route 67 in the past month has led to people once again calling for safety improvements, to which Caltrans has responded. SR-67 provides access from the City of San Diego to the East County region of San Diego County. On the afternoon of July 18, a three-car crash on SR-67 near Iron Mountain Drive killed 5 people. Around 12 hours later, an accident on SR-67 near Quail Rock Road killed at least one person. “We’d like to see a center divider down the middle of the highway all the way down, and we really needed to be four lanes or even five lanes. So a lane — extra lanes that allow us to evacuate the community in the event of a wildfire,” said Andrew Simmons, owner of Highway67.com.
• US 101 Pedestrian Overcrossings (FB/Senator Henry Stern). Caltrans is seeking public input on a project in the Encino neighborhood: the U.S. 101 pedestrian overcrossing bridge at Amestoy Avenue.
• Route 47 News (FB/Port of Los Angeles). Starting Monday, Aug. 18, crews will close the NB I-110 on-ramp at Harbor Boulevard and the SB SR 47 off-ramp at Harbor Boulevard, while construction of the new roadway and ramps continues. A new northbound on-ramp to I-110 and southbound off-ramp to SR 47 will open in November 2025, along with a newly realigned Knoll Drive. https://portofla.org/rampclosure
• Caltrans begins safety project along Hwy 1 at Santa Lucia Canyon Rd near Lompoc (Santa Maria Times). Caltrans is set to modify the intersection of Highway 1 and Santa Lucia Canyon Road near Lompoc as part of a three-phase plan to enhance safety. The work will permanently eliminate left-turn maneuvers from Santa Lucia Canyon Road onto northbound Highway 1 and right-turn maneuvers from Santa Lucia Canyon Road onto southbound Highway 1 toward Vandenberg Space Force Base. The changes address a history of collisions at the intersection, including a November 2024 multi-vehicle crash that injured six, and a December 2024 wet-weather collision that claimed the life of 19-year-old Santa Maria resident Asher Linden Tenud and critically injured Krissy Partlow, of Lompoc.
• ＄ What will happen to Highway 99’s Palm and Pine trees? (Sacramento Bee). The historic Palm and the Pine landmark representing the unofficial divide between California’s north and south will be saved when the trees are removed from the center divider on Highway 99 for a large road widening project, state officials said. The Canary Island Date palm representing Southern California and the Deodor cedar representing Northern California will become part of a new, expanded landmark planned to go up on the west side of the road in Madera. The two trees will be added to a collection of 15 trees of each kind representing the state’s geographic halves. TOP VIDEOS “There was so much concern, so much talk about these trees, that we definitely wanted to try to keep them somewhere,” said Larry Johnson, a spokesperson with Caltrans District 6 office. The public outcry followed last year’s news that the trees would be removed for the widening of Highway 99 to six lanes from Avenue 7 to Avenue 12. The trees must be removed before construction begins, Johnson said, because some of the project’s initial work involves the center divider.
• Caltrans aims to improve Highway 273 safety with several improvement projects on the way (KRCR Chico-Redding via MSN). Caltrans staff members are working out plans to boost safety on Highway 273. They have several projects in the works. One is Downtown Redding CAPM, going from Buenaventura Boulevard north to I-5, where they’ll have an overlay with reconstruction on the pavement, along with improvements to bike lanes and crosswalks. Through another project, Brighter 273, they plan to improve the lighting within the corridor, along 273 from Buenaventura south to the city of Anderson. These two projects are getting into the design and environmental phase and will be constructed closer to the 2029 construction season.
• Caltrans breaks ground on Highway 99 Delano to Pixley expansion (Bakersfield California via Yahoo). Caltrans broke ground Monday on the $167.6 million Highway 99 Delano to Pixley Mainline Improvement Project, which will expand traffic lanes from four to six when it’s completed in fall 2027. About 15 miles of highway will see increased capacity, from Cecil Avenue in Delano in Kern County to approximately one mile north of Court Street in Pixley in Tulare County. The project will also rehabilitate the existing lanes within the project limits, according to Caltrans. The new configuration aims to improve safety through the corridor.
• MTC, Caltrans win OK to adjust Richmond-San Rafael Bridge operations (The Bay Link Blog). The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) yesterday approved an application submitted by MTC and Caltrans to change the hours of operation for the bicycle and pedestrian path on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and to make permanent the peak-period third eastbound traffic lane on the bridge’s lower deck. Beginning this fall, the space on the right side of the upper deck now occupied by the bike/ped path will be used as a highway shoulder lane on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well as on Thursday mornings, with the barrier moved to accommodate bike/ped use on Thursday afternoons and all day on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and select holidays. A free shuttle will be available to carry bicyclists and pedestrians across the bridge between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on days when the path is closed.
• ＄ Richmond-San Rafael path change approved (Marin I-J). A plan to reduce access to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike path in order to study the potential addition of a commuter lane across the span was begrudgingly approved Thursday. After a session lasting about six hours, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission voted 15 to 2 with one abstention to allow a modified pilot project to proceed for three years. Staff had recommended several conditions of approval, and commissioners added a few of their own. They challenged the applicants, Caltrans and the Bay Area Toll Authority, to return in nine months with preliminary benchmarks and a process for an environmental justice analysis. “The data gathering that was done during the pilot to date was insufficient,” Zach Wasserman, the gubernatorial appointee and chair of the commission, said ahead of the vote. “It had better be better as we go forward with this continuation of the pilot project.” The commission also approved the permanent daily use of the shoulder on the lower deck and eastbound approach as a vehicle travel lane from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The change saves commuters an average of up to 17 minutes per trip during peak hours, according to the transportation agencies.
• Richmond bridge bike lane access to be reduced starting this fall (Richmondside). The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) voted Thursday to reduce Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike lane access so transportation agencies can test the impact on emergency response times. Caltrans also plans to test using it as a part-time high occupancy vehicle lane for buses and carpools. The decision, approved by a 15-to-2 vote of the 27-member commission (18 commissioners were present; Amber Manfree, Napa County’s alternative representative, abstained) came after a more than seven-hour hearing. It marks the end of an extended debate about the future of a five-year pilot of the bike and pedestrian lane between Richmond and Marin County — a lane that advocates say was appreciated by bicycle commuters and that opponents say worsened traffic congestion.
• Landmark that divides California to be moved from freeway (SFGate). About 10 miles north of Fresno on Highway 99, two trees on an unassuming stretch of median are said to represent the dividing line between sunny Southern California and mist‑cloaked Northern California. The palm and the pine, whose murky origin story dates back to before the highway was built, were slated for destruction last year due to a planned widening of the highway. Now, after public outcry, the pair of trees are set to be saved. “There was a lot of interest when we announced the trees would need to be removed,” Caltrans spokesperson Larry Johnson told SFGATE. “Residents offered to take them. They’re very popular around here.” Few people seem to be able to agree on where SoCal and NorCal meet. A recent SFGATE survey of thousands of Californians concluded that there are, in fact, five major regions in the Golden State, with no direct meeting of Northern and Southern California. Others say San Luis Obispo or Fresno mark the spot.
• ↈ State Route 11 (FB/Caltrans District 11). The last mile of State Route 11 and the Siempre Viva Bridge are now open! This is a critical interchange and means we are a step closer to the next phase of this project – the completion of the new Otay Mesa East Port of Entry. This state-of-the-art port of entry will cut wait times and boost the economy for our binational region. The opening of SR-11 and Siempre Viva Bridge will also have an immediate impact of moving goods from existing ports of entry to local businesses in Otay Mesa.
• ＄＄ Highway 99 construction begins in south Tulare County (Visalia Times-Delta). With the ceremonial groundbreaking at Pixley Park on Aug. 11, the construction of the Delano-to-Pixley Mainline Improvement Project has officially begun. The $167.6 million project will add a third lane in each direction for about 14 miles of Highway 99. The project, which will be funded by federal and state sources, is expected to be completed by fall 2027.
• ‘Palm & the Pine’ set to move after Caltrans Hwy 99 project in Madera County (CBS47 and KSEE24/YourCentralValley). A California landmark is on the move after roughly 100 years. That landmark, the Palm and the Pine, two trees that unofficially mark where Southern California meets Northern California, is located currently right off Highway 99 in Madera County. It’s one that practically anyone traveling through the region, whether they’re from LA, the Bay Area, or those living in the Central Valley, has passed by, whether they’ve known it or not. A landmark with a mass of meaning to several within Madera and Madera County.
• ↈ Mt. Vernon Bridge (LRN 31). (FB/KVCR Public Media). The wait is OVER, San Bernardino! The iconic Mt. Vernon Bridge is officially reopening Saturday, August 23rd and you’re invited to the celebration! Originally built in 1934, this historic bridge connected our city for 86 years before closing in 2020. Now, it’s back and better than ever, ready to serve 60,000+ daily drivers once again.
• Caltrans Announces New Opening Schedule for Highway 36 (Lost Coast Outpost). Route 36 remains open to one-way traffic east of Swimmer’s Delight near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. Travelers should continue to expect delays and use caution when passing through the active slide zone. This Saturday, crews will be moving rock and placing material in the slide area. Travelers should expect delays of approximately one hour throughout the day. Weekday traffic schedule:
• Caltrans breaks ground on Highway 99 Delano to Pixley expansion (Bakersfield California via Yahoo). Caltrans broke ground Monday on the $167.6 million Highway 99 Delano to Pixley Mainline Improvement Project, which will expand traffic lanes from four to six when it’s completed in fall 2027. About 15 miles of highway will see increased capacity, from Cecil Avenue in Delano in Kern County to approximately one mile north of Court Street in Pixley in Tulare County. The project will also rehabilitate the existing lanes within the project limits, according to Caltrans. The new configuration aims to improve safety through the corridor.
• California invests $3B aiming for safer, faster travel statewide (ActionNewsNow / CBS NBC CW Chico Redding). The California Transportation Commission approved $3 billion on Monday to improve safety and mobility across the state’s highway system and expand travel options. $663 million comes from Senate Bill 1, while about $2 billion is from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These investments aim to enhance transportation capacity, rehabilitate roadways, and balance community and environmental impacts. “Today’s investments reflect California’s long-term commitment to safer roads, smarter traffic management and expanded transportation choices,” said Dina El-Tawansy, Caltrans Director.
• California beach town braces for Highway 101 closure lasting 40 days (SFGate). Drivers headed to a popular Central Coast beach town can expect delays due to a significant construction project beginning Monday and lasting for several weeks. Starting Monday, San Luis Obispo County has closed the Highway 101 interchange at Avila Beach Drive for 40 days, until Sept. 26, to build a roundabout as part of a larger project to reduce congestion and make the roadway safer. The intersections of Avila Beach Drive, Shell Beach Road and the ramps to get on and off southbound Highway 101 are all closed. Drivers will need to reach Highway 101 by driving to either San Luis Bay Drive to the north or Spy Glass Road to the south, according to a San Luis Obispo County news release.
• Santa Clara County leaders show support for Little Saigon Freeway (San José Spotlight). A sign telling motorists they’re entering Little Saigon in San Jose is close to being installed — with a fresh stamp of approval from local leaders. But it still needs a final sign-off from lawmakers in Sacramento. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution in support of a state initiative to designate part of of Highway 101 — from Story Road in San Jose to the junction with Interstates 280 and 680 — as the “Little Saigon Freeway.” It comes after the state Assembly passed a resolution July 14 for the renaming authored by San Jose Assemblymember Ash Kalra. The renaming awaits a vote in the state Senate, with further fundraising likely required for the sign’s installation.
• No Desire for Streetcars: A Transit Mode Falls Out of Favor (Governing). American cities already lost their streetcars once. Now, some are losing them again. In May, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser released a budget that funds operations on the DC Streetcar for two more years. At the end of those two years, however, the streetcar will be replaced by a bus that uses the streetcar’s existing cable lines — what Bowser referred to as a “next-generation streetcar.” The DC Streetcar has several problems, but they boil down to a basic limitation of rail-based transit: A streetcar can’t move side to side. A train car operating on rails on an urban street has to deal with all the same problems as cars, from traffic jams to accidents and bad parking. In D.C.’s case, the streetcar was reportedly planned without ample space away from parking cars, leading to repeated conflicts and delays.
• ↈ Sergeant Nicole Gee Memorial Highway (FB/Caltrans District 3). Photo of sign.
• ＄ These are the worst freeways in Southern California: L.A. Times rankings (Los Angeles Times). Yes, there was a time when Southern California loved its freeways. In 1970, British writer and critic Reyner Banham lovingly described them as a “special way of being alive,” bringing “on a state of heightened awareness that some locals find mystical.” Joan Didion declared they were “the only secular communion Los Angeles has.” Stores used to sell a popular postcard showing a handsomely landscaped cloverleaf interchange with the headline “Dig those crazy freeways.” But that was a long time ago, before multihour commutes, freeway chases, road rage, “carmageddon” and the annual Thanksgiving jam on the 405. These days, almost no one “digs” freeways. They tend to judge freeways based on how much pain and stress they bring.
• Ħ 1926 Southern California Map (FB/Tom Rombouts). From around 1926, one of the first times that Rand McNally published a road atlas for the entire United States. I see that much of what became Route 66 is labeled here as 60, and Highway 99 went through the Banning Pass and then (not shown on this page) down along the west side of the Salton Sea.
• New Grand Off Ramp (FB/City of Diamond Bar). The current eastbound SR-60 Grand Ave off-ramp will close permanently. A new off-ramp opens Aug. 26 at 6 AM. Learn more & subscribe for project updates sgvcog.org/5760project
• Caltrans Begins Project to Install Rumble Strips and Bicycle Pullouts on State Route 1 in Sonoma County (Caltrans). Caltrans Bay Area begins a safety project this week to install rumble strips on the entire length of State Route 1 (SR-1) in Sonoma County, nearly sixty miles (58.3), between Valley Ford and the Mendocino County border. Additionally, Caltrans will create 29 bicycle pullouts along the route. O.C. Jones, Inc. is the contractor on the $5 million contract, which is estimated for completion in late October. Rumble strips are raised or grooved pavement patterns that, when driven over, provide audible and tactile stimulation – sound and vibration – to alert motorists that they have strayed from their lane. To install the rumble strips, workers will grind away the existing double center line, add the rumble strips, and then restripe. The width of the rumble strips and the double yellow lines is nearly identical, so that the rumble strips will underlie most of the center line striping.
• Caltrans to Begin Retaining Wall Project on State Route 116 near Monte Rio in Sonoma County (Caltrans). Caltrans begins a year-long retaining wall project today, Monday, August 18, on State Route 116 in Sonoma County just east of Cnopius Road in Monte Rio, Sonoma County. Ghilotti Brothers is the contractor on the $14 million project to replace a culvert beneath the highway and build a retaining wall to shore up a steep and imminently failing slope on the north side of the road. Flaggers will direct one-way traffic control during work hours, Monday – Friday. Caltrans will install concrete barriers on September 3 that will cordon off one of the two lanes for the rest of the project. At that time, Caltrans will operate an electronic traffic signal, implementing one-way traffic control 24 hours a day until project completion. With steep hills and heavy winter rains, this area of SR-116 is especially prone to landslides. Indeed, Caltrans will be finishing a project on SR 116 just two miles to the eastbefore the end of August.
• California Invests $3 Billion to Enhance Safety, Improve Travel Times and Boost Multimodal Travel Options (Sierra Wave). The California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved $3 billion in allocations to enhance safety and mobility across the state highway system and expand multimodal travel, including bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. Guided by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Build More, Faster – For All infrastructure agenda, these improvements will make California communities safer, cleaner and increase access to active transportation options. Of the $3 billion allocated this month, $663 million derives from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 and approximately $2 billion from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA). The funds will serve as a catalyst to increase the capacity of the state’s transportation system, rehabilitate aging roadways and improve travel times, while balancing community impacts and promoting environmental benefits. […] Among the larger projects approved by the Commission: · $102 million — Improve segments of Interstate 5 (the Grapevine) in Kern County. Work includes pavement repair, upgraded drainage and lighting, installation of CCTV cameras, vehicle detection systems and changeable message signs to improve traffic monitoring and incident response.
• Caltrans Begins Pavement Rehabilitation Project on State Route 150 in Santa Paula (KEYT News Channel 3-12). Caltrans announces the start of a pavement rehabilitation project on State Route 150 (SR-150) near State Route 126 (SR-126) to just north of Bridge Road in the city of Santa Paula. The SR-150 Santa Paula Pavement Project will improve over 3 miles of roadway and enhance accessibility, safety, and traffic operations. The work will repair aging pavement to extend its life and improve ride quality. Additional improvements include:
• Nearly $35 million headed to Mendocino County roads and bridges (Mendocino County News). Mendocino County is in line for nearly $34.6 million in road and bridge upgrades as part of a sweeping statewide transportation package, according to a press release from Caltrans District 1. The California Transportation Commission this week approved $3 billion for projects across the state, drawing on federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds and California’s SB 1 gas tax revenue. For Mendocino drivers, that means long-overdue fixes on key highways and critical storm-damaged corridors. The largest investment locally is $13.9 million for U.S. 101 through Hopland, where Caltrans will overhaul roadway surfaces, replace guardrails, upgrade signage and bring pedestrian access into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Another $8.3 million is slated to replace the Eel River Bridge on Route 162 near Longvale, a vital crossing on the county’s inland route.
• Caltrans Reconstruction Projects Post Palisades Fire Update (Santa Monica Daily Press). Caltrans is continuing reconstruction work on Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard following damage from the Palisades fire and winter rainstorms. At least 10 active projects are underway between the two highways, spanning Pacific Coast Highway from Temescal Canyon Road in Pacific Palisades to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu, and Topanga Canyon Boulevard from PCH to Grand View Drive. Work includes repairing fire-damaged roadways, signs, traffic signals and drainage systems, as well as replacing and repairing retaining walls and bridges. Southern California Edison is also trenching powerlines.
• State highway system getting $3 billion in allocations to enhance safety (The Reporter Vacaville via MSN). The California Transportation Commission on Monday afternoon approved $3 billion in allocations to enhance safety and mobility on Solano County highways. […] Near $13 million of the money is scheduled to go toward Solano County with $8.7 million being used on Interstate 80 in and near Vallejo, from 0.4 mile west of I-780 to SR-37, at various locations, to construct permanent Best Management Practices for NPDES permit compliance related to trash capture and Total Maximum Daily Load. This will improve pavement condition and extend service life.
• Judge rules against environmentalists in lawsuit against Caltrans’ I-80 project (Sacramento Bee via MSN). A judge denied a petition from environmentalist groups to halt Caltrans’ highway expansion project on Interstate 80 in Yolo County while acknowledging that “widening freeways is almost never the best way to solve traffic congestion over the long term.” The Natural Resources Defense Council, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Planning and Conservation League, as well as the Sierra Club and the Environmental Defense Council, had filed petitions asking the court to intervene against Caltrans in May 2024. The groups argued that the transportation agency had violated the California Environmental Quality Act – better known as CEQA – in multiple ways. Among other things, they said that Caltrans had understated the negative effects of increasing vehicle mileage on I-80, and that Caltrans had not considered enough alternatives to its highway-widening plan in the environmental review process.
• California invests $3 billion to enhance safety, improve travel times and boost multimodal travel options (Lassen News). The California Transportation Commission yesterday approved $3 billion in allocations to enhance safety and mobility across the state highway system and expand multimodal travel, including bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. […] Projects approved yesterday in District 2 include • Graeagle Cap and Flood Project (in Plumas County on Highway 89, near Graeagle, from the Sierra County Line to Highway 70) This project will rehabilitate pavement, raise the roadway grade, upgrade guardrail and signs, and widen shoulders. This project includes $2.49 million in SB1 funding. • Klamath Lake Rehab 2R Project (In Siskiyou County on Highway 161, near Dorris from 4.5 miles east of Highway 97 to 2.1 miles west of Fugate Road) This project will rehabilitate the roadway, replace signs, upgrade facilities to ADA standards at the vista point. This project will improve safety and ride quality. This project includes $1.3 million in SB1 funding and $10.2 million in IIJA funding.
• South Lake Tahoe CalTrans projects planned into October (South Tahoe Now). Contractors with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) have been working along US50 (Lake Tahoe Blvd.) this summer as part of a two-year lighting and safety improvement project between the “Y” and Pioneer Trail. Conduit was installed, but part of the project has stalled due to supplies. The lighting along US50 will most likely go up in Spring 2026 since the custom dark-sky lighting luminaires have not yet been delivered. A CalTrans spokesperson said if there are some warm, dry days over the winter, they could be installed earlier.
• ＄ Ever wonder why some toll roads’ rates aren’t posted? (Pasadena Star News). Q: Hi Honk: I recently traveled south on the 405 and 5 freeways to San Marcos and utilized the 73 Toll Road without a transponder in both directions. The next day we paid online. The fee was $9.55 each way. The last time we drove it, a few years ago, it was $4 or $5 each way. Has the cost risen that much in a few years, and why aren’t there signs with the cost to travel on or before the toll road? A: For non-account holders, Rob, the fee for taking the whole route was $7.48 in 2015, $8.65 in 2020, and $9.36 a year ago, a toll roads official told Honk. Perhaps in the past you were in a vehicle tied to an account holder. For account holders, the rates are usually lower in part based on the time and the day. In 2015, the lowest rate was $4; in 2020, $5.34; and last year, $5.86. Rates now automatically go up 2% a year.
• San Bernardino reopens the Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge after nearly 5 years. Here’s what’s new (LAist). The landmark Mt. Vernon Avenue Bridge in San Bernardino is finally reconnecting the city’s westside after completing a nearly five-year project. The bridge was slated to Saturday with a community celebration planned to welcome back drivers, bikers and pedestrians. The old bridge, built in 1934, was completely disassembled in 2021 after officials rated the bridge “severely deficient.”
• Can Silicon Valley express lanes end traffic congestion? (San José Spotlight). Silicon Valley’s transportation agency wants to increase revenues from its highway express lanes, but advocates say they could save more money by strengthening public transit. VTA serves as Santa Clara County’s public transit operator and congestion management agency, overseeing the county’s highways as well as its buses and light rail. As the agency grapples with its multiyear budget deficit, officials are looking to diversify its revenue streams. The board of directors approved an expenditure plan for one segment of express lanes in April, which set aside about $1 million annually for transit operating costs starting in 2028. Casey Emoto, VTA chief engineering officer, said the agency has been incrementally installing express lanes on highways across Santa Clara County since 2012, when the agency opened the Highway 237/Interstate 880 express lane interchange.
• ＄ Some bike lanes removed in latest Tiburon Boulevard repaving plan (Marin I-J). Caltrans’ latest repaving plan for Tiburon Boulevard will not include bike lanes on a mile-long stretch between Trestle Glen and Blackfield Drive. The plan includes new bike lanes across the Highway 101 overpass and into the Strawberry neighborhood. “The current plans do not include bike lanes between Blackfield and Trestle Glen, but 100% final design plans for the full project are upcoming,” Caltrans spokesperson Matt O’Donnell said. “That date is dependent on comments from stakeholders.” The $12.7 million paving and upgrade project has been in development since 2023. It is “listening to comments” while finalizing its plans, O’Donnell said. The California Transportation Commission is expected to approve the project in October. Construction would begin next year.
• Caltrans suspends construction work on Benicia Bridge for four weeks (Times Herald Online). Due to project supply delays, Caltrans announced Monday afternoon that work on the Benicia Bridge has been suspended up to four weeks. Carquinez Bridge closures are now expected to continue through September, weather permitting. Caltrans is performing essential T1 Steel Weld Inspection Project weld inspections and repairs on the Carquinez Bridge (I-80) and Benicia-Martinez Bridge (I-680). This work is critical to maintaining the ongoing structural integrity of both bridges. With the suspending of work, lane closures on the 680 will also be temporarily suspended. The Carquinez Bridge Eastbound I-80 Lane/Ramp Closures will have closures through September on Monday through Thursday from 3 a.m. until noon. On Fridays there will be a full closure of the I-80 Pomona St/San Pablo Avenue onramp from 1 to 9 a.m.
• One-Way Traffic Control on State Route 1 in Bodega Bay for Exploratory Drilling (Caltrans). Caltrans will implement one-way traffic control on State Route 1 in Bodega Bay, between Kent Avenue and Taylor Street to allow work crews to perform exploratory drilling in an area where pavement is buckling because of subsidence. The closure will occur between 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Wednesday – Thursday, September 3-4, 2025. The drilling will yield cores of soil samples, providing geological information that will help determine the best way to repair the road.
• Wrong way drivers in the Meyers Roundabout (Tahoe Daily Tribune). The Tahoe Transportation District, along with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Caltrans, called out drivers going the wrong way in the Meyers roundabout on U.S. Highway 50. The social media post pointed out that the roundabout only flows one way and featured Caltrans footage of drivers cutting through the circle. In prior years, the existing T intersection at State Route 89 and Highway 50 left cars idling for a long period of time, with no crosswalks and a history of vehicle collisions. In 2015, construction began on the new Meyers roundabout, which was intended to improve safety, traffic flow, walkability and air quality by allowing cars to smoothly continue through the roundabout.
• ＄＄ California Highway 62 desert wildlife crossings aim to save animals (VV Daily Press). After hundreds of reported animal deaths per year, the Mojave Desert Land Trust is proposing wildlife crossings at critical points along one desert highway. The two crossings along State Route 62 would provide safe routes for animals moving between the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino mountains, according to the nonprofit Mojave Desert Land Trust.
• Caltrans to Rejuvenate 20 Miles of Mountain Highway on U.S. 395 (SierraWave). Drivers will soon experience improved road conditions on U.S. 395 in Mono County near Lee Vining as fog chip sealing on the roadway begins Monday, August 25. The $2 million Rush Creek Chip Seal Project will rejuvenate, seal, and protect the pavement. Fog chip sealing is a multi-step pavement preservation process designed to prevent raveling, hold aggregate in place, and extend the lifespan of the roadway. Crews will chip seal the pavement from 0.3 miles south of Old West Portal Road to 0.2 miles south of Utility Road. A fog chip seal applies thin layers of liquid asphalt and crushed rock chips to protect the pavement from water damage and degradation caused by vehicles. This technique offers a cost-effective method to address minor issues like the loss of aggregate and drying out, which are typical causes of roadway damage.
• Caltrans closes part of Highway 41 for three days to continue the expansion project (KMPH Fresno/Visalia via MSN). Caltrans is shutting down part of Highway 41 for three days as they work on expanding the highway. Part of Highway 41 will be closed in San Luis Obispo County from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for three days from Tuesday through Thursday. It will still be possible to get to Pismo Beach or Paso Robles, but it will be about a 45-minute detour. Construction is for the widening of Highway 46 East in the Cholame area. The area is on State Route 41 from Highway 46 East to State Route 33.
• ＄ Highway 1 ramps at Park Avenue to reopen, Bay Avenue/Porter Street ramps face extended closure (Santa Cruz Sentinel). Caltrans is preparing to roll out a series of updates next week to the schedule of closures that have been impacting exits along Highway 1 in Mid Santa Cruz County for months. Starting at 9 p.m. Sept. 3, the three Park Avenue ramps that have been closed in certain combinations since April will reopen, according to a Caltrans release. But, 24 hours later, ramps at Bay Avenue/Porter Street will face extended impacts once again. Beginning at 9 p.m. Sept. 4, Bay Avenue/Porter Street’s southbound Highway 1 offramp and its northbound onramp will both close for approximately eight months. Those looking to travel in the northbound direction of Highway 1 from Porter Street will first be directed to merge onto southbound Highway 1 using the Bay Avenue/Porter Street onramp. Drivers will then exit the highway at Park Avenue, turn around and merge back onto northbound Highway 1 using Park Avenue’s northbound onramp.
• Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City (X/Caltrans District 3). Demolition of the historic Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City is underway, and the new bridge is scheduled to be completed by 11/15. Traffic will detour onto Lake Blvd. to access SR 89 and SR 28. West Lake Blvd. is open for business and transit center access @PlacerCA
• AUSTIN ROAD WILL BE A FULL INTERCHANGE (Manteca Bulletin). A plan being pursued to alter the phased approach to the 120 Bypass/Highway 99 connector project will help open a large swath of southeast Manteca for the development of employment centers. The new Austin Road interchange currently being built will be a full interchange in the project’s second phase instead of waiting for a third phase that funding may never be secured to build. Originally, the northbound on-ramp and south bound off-ramp were going to be “temporarily” closed at the end of the current phase and then restored with elaborate braided ramps in the third phase.
• Ħ US 99 Shasta City (FB/Michael McCarty). On December 18th, 1922, the California Highway Commission, “proposed” a new realignment of the state Highway US99 in Shasta City, moving it from Chestnut to Walnut Street. On January 4th, 1923; the CHC released the “as-build” map, showing the accepted realignment from for said streets. Here is the top sheet of the 1/4/1923 as build map showing the realignment.
• Caltrans To Re-Open Northbound I-5 John Erreca Rest Area (Caltrans). The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is pleased to announce the reopening of the northbound Interstate 5 (I-5) John Erreca Rest Area in Merced County. Caltrans will reopen the rest area this Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in preparation for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. Construction will continue on the southbound rest area through the month of September. Caltrans began construction on the rest area project in Spring of 2022, with completion expected in Fall of 2025. Upon completion the John Erreca Rest Area will stand as a model for new Caltrans California highway rest areas, with reconstructed comfort stations, increased capacity, and upgraded utilities to provide modernized, safe, and reliable stopping opportunities for motorists. The rest area will be the most sustainable rest area ever built by Caltrans, featuring low-power demand and low-water usage, electric vehicle charging stations, and new, long-life concrete pavement designed to perform for over 40 years, with little to no maintenance required.
• Caltrans Announces 55-Hour Extended Weekend Lane Reduction on Eastbound Interstate 10 in Rosemead for Bridge Preservation (Caltrans). Caltrans announces a 55-hour extended weekend lane reduction on eastbound Interstate 10 (I-10) from San Gabriel Boulevard to Rosemead Boulevard for bridge preservation work in the city of Rosemead. Crews will reduce eastbound I-10 to one lane from Friday night, Sep. 5 to Monday morning, Sep. 8. The following closures will be in place from 10 p.m. Friday, Sep. 5 to 5 a.m. Monday, Sep. 8.:
• Caltrans Announces I-405 Reduced to Three Lanes in Each Direction Through the Sepulveda Pass: Sept. 19-22 (Caltrans). Caltrans announces extended weekend lane reductions along Interstate 405 (I-405) through the Sepulveda Pass. The freeway will be reduced to three lanes in each direction and motorists are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes and explore public transportation options to reach their destinations. The work will start at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept.19 through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 22. Motorists traveling along I-405 will experience the following lane reductions and closures:
• Caltrans reopens over 10 miles of Angeles Crest Highway (AUDACITY/KNX 97.1). Angeles Crest Highway reopened Friday in both directions between the Foothill (210) Freeway and Highway 138 following $7.9 million in emergency repairs. “Relentless storms from the 2022/2023 winter season caused extensive damage, prompting the closure of Angeles Crest Highway between Islip Saddle and Vincent Gulch,” according to a Caltrans statement. “Runoff and slides from severe storms created large wash-outs and undermined the roadway … and created a series of small erosion gullies … leaving the guardrail system without support from the side slopes.”
• Highway 101 project will modify traffic pattern at Rocks/Cannon roads (SanBenito.com). Caltrans will soon begin work to modify the intersection of U.S. 101 at Rocks Road and Cannon Road in San Benito County. The project will include the closure of the median opening on Highway 101, and the elimination of all through passage and left turn maneuvers from Rocks and Cannon roads onto the southbound freeway, says an announcement from Caltrans. The intersection is located south of San Juan Bautista, just east of Monterey RV Park. Rocks Road is on the southeast side of U.S. 101, and Cannon Road is directly across on the southwest side of the highway. With the closure of the median, left turn options from U.S. 101 to Rocks Road and Cannon Road, as well as u-turns, will be eliminated, Caltrans added.
• Angeles Crest Highway Fully Reopens 2 Years After Storm Damage (Los Angeles, CA Patch). Angeles Crest Highway fully reopened between the 210 Freeway and the high desert on Friday for the first time in over two years. The highway, which traverses the San Gabriel Mountains, reopened in both directions following $7.9 million in emergency repairs stemming from the 2022-23 winter season, according to Caltrans. Motorists can now travel between the 210 Freeway in Los Angeles County and State Route 138 in San Bernardino County via Angeles Crest Highway.
• ＄＄ Hwy 101 construction: SLO County bridge built with new tech (San Luis Obispo Tribune). As construction continues on a project to improve one of San Luis Obispo County’s most dangerous intersections, Caltrans crews are using an innovative, see-through tool to complete roadwork just north of Paso Robles. The California Department of Transportation said it’s using a transparent deck form, known as ClearCast, to create a bridge near the intersection of Highway 101 and Wellsona Road. It’s the first time in history that the transparent deck form is being used in California, the road agency said in a social media post.
• How LA almost created an airport island for the supersonic age (LAist). LAX is the butt of many jokes around Southern California. People often dislike driving there because of the intense traffic and time it takes. Still, it’s an important part of Los Angeles life if you want to fly. But what if air travel here had turned out differently? Back in the late ‘60s, eye-popping plans emerged to reshape flight in the U.S., along with a dream to create a sort of LAX extension — on an island.
• Metro’s FY26 Budget: Investing in a Safer, Cleaner, and More Connected Future for LA County (The Source). Have you ever wondered how Metro decides where to spend its money each year? Metro’s Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget, which was approved by the Metro Board last May, is now available to the public. The document sets a clear path forward for a safer, cleaner, and more customer-focused transit system for LA County.
• Ħ  1957: After a Unique Drive-By Audition, AASHO Approves the Final Version of the Interstate Shield (Transportation History). The Administration Committee of AASHO (now known as AASHTO) approved the now-familiar shield used on the Interstate Highway System. The committee made this decision in the wake of several months during which the association’s U.S. Route Numbering Committee sifted through and evaluated dozens of shapes and sizes for a possible route marker for that then-new highway network. AASHO had formally asked the states to present suggestions for such a marker, and the entries included everything from a 2.2-inch (55-millimeter) color transparency to a four-foot (1.2-meter) square aluminum blank. Quite a few of the states incorporated the letter “I” for “Interstate” in their submissions.

Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer)

• Van Ness Boulevard Subway (Fresno, California). The Van Ness Boulevard Subway is a railroad underpass which was constructed in 1927. This subway served as a replacement for a previous at-grade crossing of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. The structure is the point where Fresno city ends and the unincorporated Fresno County island of Fig Garden begins. Van Ness Boulevard Subway serves the dual purpose as being considered the southern terminus of Christmas Tree Lane which is held during the month of December.
• Elkhorn Grade Road (Carrizo Plain National Monument). Elkhorn Grade Road is an approximately six-mile dirt surfaced rural highway which originates in Carrizo Plains National Monument. The grade begins at Elkhorn Road in San Luis Obispo County and enters Kern County where it crests at an elevation of 1,807 feet above sea level in the Temblor Range. The remaining balance of the grade continues east/northeast to California State Routes 166 and 33 near Maricopa.
• Indian Gulch Road (Mariposa County). Indian Gulch Road is an approximately nine-mile rural highway corridor located in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Mariposa County. This corridor begins at California State Route 140 near Catheys Valley and extends north to Hornitos Road via Bear Creek. Indian Gulch Road is named after the former Gold Rush era community of Indian Gulch which was settled near Santa Cruz Mountain in 1849.
• Piedra Road (Fresno County). Piedra Road is an 8.6-mile highway corridor which runs mostly along the Kings River in Fresno County. The corridor as presently configured begins at Live Oak Avenue near California State Route 180 and terminates Trimmer Springs Road at the former quarry town of Piedra. Piedra Road was developed in 1911 as a frontage facility of the Wahtoke District Branch of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. The railroad branch was withdrawn to Minkler in 1965 and Piedra Road would begin to become a major Fresno County highway connecting to numerous recreational locales.
• Zinkland Toll Road (Old Toll Road in Mariposa County). Old Toll Road in Mariposa County is an approximately seven-mile segment of the former Zinkland Toll Road. The current corridor of Old Toll Road begins at Hornitos Road and extends east to California State Route 49 in Mount Bullion. The wider Burckhalter Toll Road was constructed at the behest of Jeremy Burckhalter during the early 1850s between Hornitos and Mariposa via Bear Valley. In 1856 a David Cunningham would complete another toll road which branched west from the Burckhalter Road at Cow & Calf Creek more directly towards Hornitos. The Cunningham toll corridor would come under the ownership of Andrew Zinkland and would later become a public highway in 1899. The Old Toll Road corridor would remain the primary highway into Mariposa until early Legislative Route Number 18 was completed during May 1918.
• Agua Fria Road (Mariposa County). Agua Fria Road is an approximately 2.3-mile rural highway located in Mariposa County. This highway corridor is one of the oldest identifiable roadways in the state as it once served the original Mariposa County seat of Aqua Fria. The community of Agua Fria was founded in 1849 by Sonoran Miners and became the first Mariposa County seat in February 1850. The County Seat was not long lived in Agua Fria as it would be moved to Mariposa in November 1851. The community of Agua Fria would burn during a fire in 1866 and was never rebuilt.
• The Old Bootjack-Ahwahnee Highway. As originally defined in 1934 California State Route 49 ended in Mariposa. Traffic continuing to Oakhurst had to utilize the then existing Chowchilla Mountain Road and Bootjack-Ahwahnee Highway. The Bootjack-Ahwahnee corridor had been commissioned in 1890 by Mariposa County to connect to the Yosemite Stage Road and Fresno Flats (now Oakhurst). An extension of California State Route 49 was legislatively defined in 1959, had an adopted alignment by late year 1961 and was functionally opened to traffic by1966. The final bypass of the Bootjack-Ahwahnee Highway came in 1972 when the East Fork Chowchilla River Bridge bypassed what is now Kemble Road
• Breckenridge Road. Breckenridge Road is rural highway located mostly in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Kern County. The Breckenridge Road corridor begins at California State Route 184 near Bakersfield and extends 42 miles east to Caliente-Bodfish Road near the original Kern County seat of Havilah. This highway is named after the 7,510-foot-high Breckenridge Mountain and strays a couple north of it via an unnamed pass.

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