All posts by Michael F Ballard

Michael F Ballard is the author and administrator of the Southern California Regional Rocks and Roads website, https://socalregion.com, since 1995. I have been studying the geology and highway history throughout southern California for most of my life. I am also the President of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization. Founder of the Historic Highway 99 Association of California, https://historic99.org .
Guide, Highways, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, Presentation

Finding Old Highways Presentation

On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, I hosted a Zoom presentation for the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on the topic of finding old highways. This presentation included information about survey monuments, pavement styles, bridge types, and more. A recording of the presentation is now available for viewing and download. Please follow the link below to view.

https://zoom.us/rec/share/n7u0NOlbPcCFBoiSPEj4umnsj2V7bVEqnFeiZnlqGOe-XZ4wLoAtk12tNRJpeckm.EEZtms4r3PG3DY5e?startTime=1620177032000

There will be an additional presentation in the near future to cover some additional topics that weren’t covered and to have a bit more detail in others.

California, Disaster, Earthquake, Event, Fault, Geology, Southern California, USGS

Earthquake Information

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Felt an earthquake? Want to know where it was and how big? Follow the links below to get up-to-date information from the USGS and the California Geological Survey.

If you felt the earthquake, let the USGS know by contacting them at: “Did You Feel It?“ This data helps them determine magnitude of the earthquake, how the geology affects that, and how the type of structure reacts to the event. Most earthquakes larger than 4.0 are listed in the “Events”  section of the page.

Additional Earthquake Information:

California, Caltrans, District 8, Highways, History, I-10, Image, Old Bridge, Rivers, Roads, San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, Santa Ana River, Southern California, US 395, US 70, US 91, US 99

Featured Image – 5/5/2021

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“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.

Meeting, Updates

May 4 Presentation UPDATE

In trying to fix a problem with the meeting scheduling, all of the people who signed up for the May 4 meeting have been deleted. If you are planning to attend, please reregister! Sorry for the mixup.

May 4 Presentation – Information

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkdOutqD0rEtZNYty8yuvTMQFeelJrqNUc

Highways, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, Meeting, Presentation

May Presentation

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On Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 6 pm, I will hosting a presentation via Zoom on tips and tricks to finding old highways. Information on bridges, survey markers, and roadway striping will be covered. Learn what a “c-block or c-monument” is and how to find them. Learn how to identify bridges by their railing and construction. Join the meeting and learn! There will be time for questions as well. Registration is required.

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkdOutqD0rEtZNYty8yuvTMQFeelJrqNUc