Category Archives: Image

Featured Image – 2/8/2021

1970 view of the I-5 / SR-14 Interchange construction. This “build” would partially collapse on February 9, 1971 while still incomplete. Courtesy – Caltrans

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the February 9, 1971 M6.6 Sylmar / San Fernando Earthquake, our featured image shows the construction work in progress on the I-5 and State 14 interchange in 1970. This work would be halted abruptly in the early hours of February 9, 1971. After this, it would be reconstructed two more times. The earthquake changed the way freeways such as this were built and did further seismic codes throughout the state.

For further information about the interchange:

Featured Image – 1/1/2021

US 99 near Garnet, CA. First paved in 1922 with a 16′ slab and widened in 1926 to a full 20′. Asphalt was added in the past few years. Today, it is known as Varner Road and this concrete is exposed from Palm Dr to near I-10 / Mission Creek.

Featured Image – 12/20/2020

Postcard view of Mission Valley from around I-805 looking easterly

I acquired this postcard recently and wanted to share. It depicts Mission Valley in San Diego. While the exact date is unknown, it is likely from the early 1920’s. So much has changed in this view. It appears to be near I-805 at the south side of the valley and is looking east toward Mission Trails Regional Park. The stadium would be just outside the view to the left. The road along the bottom of the postcard roughly follows Camino Del Rio, which was the predecessor to US 80 / I-8 in the valley.

Featured Image – 12/4/2020

Looking toward the current alignment of 99 from the railroad with the original paving north of Famoso

US 99 parallels the Southern Pacific Railroad for a significant portion of its journey across the Great Central Valley. At times, it has to cross those tracks. Many of those crossings were the site of collisions, mostly by people trying to beat the train. They also slowed traffic down quite a bit. In a statewide effort to reduce problems at grade crossings, the State built grade-separations at these locations.

At Famoso, north of Bakersfield, an underpass was built in 1936, which eliminated one of the busier crossing. That structure was eventually replaced by an overpass in 1970. Today, the original crossing partially remains, with paving leading from the freeway to the railroad. The last time a car traversed this paving may well have been over 70 years ago.

Featured Image – 11/23/2020

Along the San Andreas Fault

Near Valyermo, California, outside of Palmdale, the locals have placed signs where Pallet Creek Road crosses the San Andreas Fault. They picked a really nice spot too, as you have a sag area, fault scarp, and offset streams all easily visible from there. I recommend a visit!