The Ridge Route on US 99 between Castaic and Gorman was a very twisty roadway when it first opened. All told, there was about 39,600 degrees of curvature over the approximately 30-mile route, enough to go in 110 circles. The state gradually worked to alleviate this headache by straightening curves whenever possible. Some curves were merely daylighted where others were completely bypassed. In the case of the Callahan Line Change, as shown in the postcard above, the road was shifted to change eight sharp curves into one gentle curve. The work here was completed in 1926. In 1933, the roadway would by bypassed altogether by the Ridge Route Alternate.
Category Archives: US 99
Historic Highway 99 Presentation
“Where the Lincoln Highway meets Highway 99.”
A look at where the Lincoln Highway, America’s first Transcontinental Highway, 1913-1927, meets Highway 99 in California Central Valley. We will discuss why the Lincoln Highway chose the central valley route to Altamont Pass instead of a more direct one. Hint, there wasn’t any. When the Lincoln Highway ceased to exist, the number system Highway 99 took over from Sacramento south. We will look at some places where you can still see some of the histories of these two famous roads.
Along with his wife Monica, Trey created “Adventures in California History,” an ongoing exploration of historic California. Trey is currently the Vice-President of the Lincoln Highway Association.
Join the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on November 2, 2021 at 6 pm for a Zoom presentation. To register, please use the link below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcqf-2rrDksH9Yjqv4pqIALpt1W3TAQqJ9V
Upcoming Ridge Route Event
Next weekend, on October 23, 2021, the Ridge Route Preservation Organization will be holding a Clean Up The Ridge Route event. These events are work parties to help repair and preserve the historic Ridge Route. They are open to all, though donations are always welcome. For more information and specific details, please check out their website:
City of Madera Historic US 99 Signs
The Historic Highway 99 Association of California just received approval for posting Historic Route 99 signs within the City of Madera. This exciting news! If you’d like to donate, they have set up a fundraiser on their site.
September 2021 Presentation
Join the Historic Highway 99 Association of California for a presentation on the history of US 99 and the Newhall Pass on September 14, 2021 at 6pm via Zoom. The history of the roadway will be covered from the Newhall Tunnel in 1910 to the HOV ramp at the I-5 / State 14 interchange in 2012. Q&A to follow the presentation. Please register using the link below.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrc–rpzIoGdxQYOYkViOpSZQHqw2rEpl1
