Category Archives: US 99

Featured Image – 7/22/2021

US 6 / US 99 Interchange in 1955. Courtesy – Caltrans

In 1955, the first section of the Golden State Freeway opened. It was a short section, running from near Weldon Summit to Foothill Blvd. The freeway was the first major attempt to improve traffic in the Newhall Pass area and it did help for a time. The freeway remained until the early 1970’s when the new I-5 / State 14 interchange was constructed and the old freeway was reconfigured to become the “Truck Lanes”.

Today, the original interchange still remains, though not entirely used. The lower level, formerly the US 6 West to US 99 South connector, is now partially filled in. The second level still carries Sierra Highway with the top level carrying the I-5 Truck Lanes. The Newhall Pass has undergone many changes in its time as a transportation corridor for Los Angeles. This one was but one of those. The photo was taken on November 22, 1955.

July Presentation

On July 6, 2021 at 6 pm, I will be giving a presentation for the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on the history of US 99 through the San Gorgonio Pass. The route will be covered from Thousand Palms to Calimesa. Photos of the route, new and old, as well as maps showing the various alignments will be shown. Come join us!

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqd-moqj4vHdJw6RL5SEOPiOfdgV2J3M4G

June Highway Presentation

On June 1, 2021 at 6 pm, I will be giving a Zoom presentation for the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on US 99 in Lake Shasta with photos of the exposed highway and information about reservoir levels. Come join us!

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItduuuqDkoGtYW7kV9Mcxa3QI4FOGQLFCR

Featured Image – 5/5/2021

“Crossroads Interchange” in 1958. Courtesy – Caltrans

This photo shows the I-10 / I-215 interchange in San Bernardino, California as it existed in 1958. At the time, those numbers didn’t quite exist. Back then, this was the junction of US 70, US 91, US 99, US 395, and State 18. The view is looking south along what is now I-215 with the Santa Ana River bridges in the foreground. The bridge to the left was US 99 until the 1930’s. The two bridges to the right are still around, though widened.

Historic 99 in the News

The Historic Highway 99 Association of California just got its first newspaper article. Come check it out!

Desert Review – E-Edition of April 13, 2021 – Page A2 (second page)

Historic Highway 99 Association installs new signs, seeks to promote economic development