Castaic, formerly a small ranching community, serves as a major truck stop on I-5 today. As it sits at the bottom of the first major mountain grade north of Los Angeles, it is perfectly suited to this task. US 99 followed Ridge Route Road from 1915 – 1933, Castaic Road from 1933 – 1951, and the same alignment as I-5 from 1951 – 1967/70, and lastly, I-5 from 1967/70 to present.
Castaic in 1949. Dark road is US 99 (Castaic Road) and the Ridge Route joins near the center. Courtesy – Caltrans
Original 1933 roadway, with asphalt, on Castaic Road through Castaic. Looking North.
In 1933, US 99 was built through Castaic along Castaic Road with three lanes. In 1951, the town was bypassed by the four lane expressway version of US 99. In 1968, I-5 was completed through here and was built atop the old expressway.
Castaic in 1958. I-5 follows the route of the divided highway on the left. The middle road is Castaic Road, the far right is the Ridge Route. Courtesy – Caltrans
This service station, the Evergreen Service, probably dates back to at least the 40’s.
This photo shows the 1933 alignment of US 99 just north of Castaic. Before I-5, this road joined into the expressway. The bridge dates back to 1930.
1930 date stamp on the Palomas Creek Bridge.
Map of the northern end of Castaic. Castaic Road was the pre-1951 alignment of US 99.
