Category Archives: Los Angeles County

Castaic, District 7, Highways, History, Image, Los Angeles County, Old Alignment, Ridge Route, Ridge Route Preservation Organization, Roads, US 99

Featured Image – 8/9/2021

Image August 9, 2021 Michael F Ballard Leave a comment

Ridge Route between the Tumble Inn and Kelly’s Halfway Inn

The old Ridge Route is my favorite roadway. Each trip is an adventure and I always seem to find something new. Sometimes those “new” things aren’t as exciting as they could be. In January 2021, a large rockslide was found just south of Swede’s Cut. On August 28, the Ridge Route Preservation Organization will be holding an event to remove that rockslide. They need your help and support. See their website for details on how you can help. Not only will you be able to go beyond the gates and see parts of the Ridge Route that are normally closed, but you will be able to help maintain it as well.

http://ridgeroute.org

Archives, California, District 7, Highways, History, I-5, Image, Los Angeles County, Roads, Southern California, SR-14, US 6, US 99

Featured Image – 7/22/2021

Image July 22, 2021 Michael F Ballard Leave a comment

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.

Historic Highway 99 Association of California, History, Los Angeles County, Presentation, Santa Clarita

August Presentation

July 13, 2021 Michael F Ballard

On August 3, 2021 at 6 pm, the Historic Highway 99 Association of California will have a guest speaker. Please join Historian Evan Decker; President of Mentryville, California Inc for a presentation and Q & A on the History of Mentryville, California on August 3rd at 6pm. Mentryville is a historic ghost town known as the site of the “birthplace” of the Oil Industry in California in 1876 with the drilling of California Star Oil No. 4. Q & A to follow.

Register using the link below:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkd-2hqDoqEty9IHOFgyUWO0ns2_ZKrq_7

For more information:

https://www.mentryvillecalifornia1876.com/

Geology, Highways, Image, Los Angeles County, Old Alignment, Ridge Route, Ridge Route Preservation Organization, Roads, US 99

Featured Image – 4/7/2021

Image April 7, 2021 Michael F Ballard 2 Comments

Today’s featured image is a video. This was taken just a few days ago on the Old Ridge Route near Swede’s Cut. A rockfall in January 2021 has partially blocked the roadway with more material coming down in the near future. The rock, located in the Ridge Route member of the Ridge Basin Group, isn’t all that stable. Landslides still plague I-5 despite more modern construction methods.

For additional information check out the
Ridge Route Preservation Organization