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 .

Image of the Week – 2/23/15

I-5 and State 110 Interchange in 1962, looking northerly along the Arroyo Seco Parkway (State 110, then  US 66).
I-5 and State 110 Interchange in 1962, looking northerly along the Arroyo Seco Parkway (State 110, then US 66).

Image of the Week – 2/16/15

Mt Baldy Road, Lower Tunnel. Built in 1949.
Mt Baldy Road, Lower Tunnel. Built in 1949.

Victoria Bridge in Riverside, CA

Side view showing the multiple arch span.
Side view showing the multiple arch span.

Built in 1928, the Victoria Bridge crosses the Tequesquite Arroyo in style. This bridge was built to carry streetcars on Victoria Avenue across the arroyo as well as auto and horse carriage traffic. It is a rare example in Southern California of an arch bridge of this magnitude crossing a generally dry location. The deck and railing were restored in the early 2000’s to their original 1920’s appearance.

USGS map showing the area around the bridge. Bridge itself is located just north of Victoria Hill near the center left of the map.

Victoria Avenue in the Riverside area itself is a rather beautiful roadway to travel. It was constructed in the early 1900’s as such a roadway and retains most of the original features today, south of this bridge. Quite a few miles of the roadway are comprised of a two-lane divided roadway surrounded by orange groves. These orange groves comprise some of the last remaining groves in Southern California. It is significant as the Riverside area was home to the original orange groves that were planted in the late 1800’s in Southern California.

Deck view with the restored railing and lighting.
Deck view with the restored railing and lighting.
New dedication plaque.
New dedication plaque.

Image of the Week – 2/9/15

The Modern Heart of Los Angeles - 1st and Main next to City Hall
The Modern Heart of Los Angeles – 1st and Main next to City Hall

Bike Share is now Active in San Diego!

After months of delays, it would appear that San Diego has finally joined the list of cities with a Bike Share program. I had posted earlier on this site that the system was to be implemented in November. Delays with the actual installation of the docking stations, mostly due to local site requests, have mostly been dealt with. Now, 20 stations around the downtown area have opened, with a few in the south end of Balboa Park.

http://www.decobike.com/sandiego/map-location