Category Archives: I-8

Highways, I-8, Old Alignment, Roads, San Diego County, US 80

Old US 80 and a lesson

Back in July 2017, I took a trip out east, partially following old US 80 east of El Cajon, CA. One of the goals was to take photos of a section I had passed countless times before but never stopped at. The section in question was near Flinn Springs. This old alignment was bypassed in the 1930’s and cut off by I-8 in 1965.

Highlighted section is the old alignment with the section in question above I-8.

Known today as Flinn Springs Road, it mostly serves as a connector to Blossom Valley Road, which itself was cut by I-8 at the same time as this alignment. The original concrete was paved over at some point in the past but was, at the time I stopped, very obvious and partly exposed. I took this opportunity to take many photos of the road. There were plenty of markings on the roadway which could indicate resurfacing was imminent but wasn’t quite sure. It was a good thing I did as, less than two weeks later, the whole thing was resurfaced, burying that old concrete yet more and making it impossible to see.

Looking west along Flinn Springs Road
Cracking in asphalt showing where the original concrete is still in place
At the curve where the road currently bends north, the concrete visibly bends a different direction.

The lesson here is to TAKE PHOTOS and DOCUMENT! You never know when you’ll be back or if it will be there when you do.

Further Reading on US 80

Archives, Caltrans, District 11, Highways, I-8, Mission Valley, Roads, San Diego, San Diego County, SR-163, US 395, US 80

From the Archives – 1953

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1953 aerial view of the Camino Del Rio (later US 80) / US 395 interchange, looking south. Courtesy – Caltrans

San Diego’s Mission Valley has changed quite a bit over the last century. It has gone from farms to condos. Dairys to grocery stores. Dirt roads to major freeways. In 1947, the first iteration of the current State 163 / I-8 interchange was completed as shown here. Left on and offramps were the order of the day. Challenge Dairy’s San Diego headquarters can be seen in the upper left corner of the interchange. Additional changes to the junction took place in 1959, 1978, and 1991. All of these bridges have been replaced but their legacy remains today with the outer ramps on either side of the 8.

Archives, Caltrans, District 11, Highways, History, I-8, Image, Mission Valley, Roads, San Diego, San Diego County, Southern California, US 80

From the Archives – 1960

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Taylor St at US 80 (Now I-8) in 1960, looking east. Courtesy – Caltrans

The view is looking east from the Taylor St ramps on I-8, then signed as US 80, in 1960. A lot has changed in San Diego’s Mission Valley in the 62 years since this photo was taken. At the time, Mission Valley was sparsely developed with mostly open lands and dairy farms filling the valley. This would soon change as shopping malls, apartment buildings, gas stations, and hotels replaced those farmlands.

Some things haven’t changed. The house visible on the left side of the image is still there, as are the overpass and freeway ramps. Can you spot anything else that is still there today?

Adopt-A-Highway, Caltrans, County Highway, District 11, Highways, I-8, Roads, San Diego County, US 80

Highway Cleanup – October 8, 2017

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Today, myself and three others cleaned my portion of I-8 and the western US 80 adopted sections. Temperatures were a bit warmer than planned, but still not that bad. A bit more of a breeze would have helped though. We all met at 9 am at Laguna Summit and started with cleaning I-8. There ended up being a bit more trash than I expected, which is ok for a first cleanup. We managed to fill six large bags with trash and left the highway quite clean. US 80, however, was much easier. What little was there only filled one bag halfway.  I do with to thank the volunteers for coming out. It was quite helpful and made the cleanup go fairly smoothly. I do plan another cleanup in a couple of months, this one will include I-8 and both sections of US 80 (Laguna Summit and Jacumba). Temperatures should be nicer by then as well.

End of the cleanup on US 80.

Adopt-A-Highway, District 11, Event, Highways, I-8, San Diego County, Sunrise Highway, US 80

Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup – Sunday, October 8, 2017

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On October 8, I am planning another highway cleanup. This one will be in eastern San Diego County and cover two sections of highway, I-8 at Laguna Summit (Sunrise Highway) and US 80. My section of I-8 runs from the summit to two miles east with about 1/2 of it able to be cleaned. The section of US 80 runs from just below Laguna Summit to two miles east as well. Both roadways should be a fairly easy cleanup. The plan, thus far, is to meet at I-8 and Sunrise Highway / Old Highway 80 at 9 am. Safety equipment, such as hard hats and vests will be supplied. There will be a safety meeting for all the volunteers as well before the cleanup begins. Bring plenty of water and snacks as we will be out there a while. Only those 18 and over can volunteer. Please RSVP as so I can get an idea of how many to expect. So, come on out and help clean some of our counties roadways.