Category Archives: Highways

Burbank, Highways, Los Angeles County, Motorcycle, Ninja 500R, Old Bridge, US 99

North Burbank UP – Videos

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On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, I took the opportunity to ride up to Burbank and get some videos of the North Burbank UP with my GoPro camera. Despite the extreme heat, I managed to at least get some good video. These videos show the North Burbank Underpass and ancillary structures from all directions. They were taken to show what they were like before the closure and removal.

Northbound along San Fernando Blvd

Southbound along San Fernando Blvd

Southbound from San Fernando Blvd to Victory Place (Future San Fernando Blvd)

Northbound Victory Place to San Fernando Blvd

Southbound from I-5 at Buena Vista St to San Fernando Blvd

Burbank, Highways, Old Bridge, US 99

North Burbank UP to close on May 20, 2014

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Looking southbound toward the overhead.
Looking southbound toward the overhead.

After serving the traveling public faithfully since 1941, the North Burbank Underpass on San Fernando Blvd in Burbank will close permanently on May 20, 2014. It is one of the more significant structures on old US 99 in the San Fernando Valley. Somewhat ironically, the structure will be replaced with a new interchange at Empire Ave. San Fernando Blvd will be rerouted back to its pre-1941 alignment, this time without a grade crossing. So, get out there and take your pictures while you can. Do the same for any other sections of old highway. You never really know how long they will last.

For more information:

Highways, Old Alignment, San Diego

Old Wabash Freeway Ramp

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In the 1950’s, a section of what is now the 15 in San Diego was built. Known then as the Wabash Freeway, it ran from Harbor Blvd to 40th St in the City Heights area. Today, it is known as the 15 freeway and has been upgraded significantly. Access to the old freeway was a bit different than today. Nile Street in North Park used to have a direct connection with the freeway. Today, Nile Street ends in a park. A section of the old ramp still exists, however, as an access to the park.

Base of the Nile Street Ramp.
Base of the Nile Street Ramp.
1950's railing still intact.
1950’s railing still intact.
Raised median and railing on the Nile Street Ramp.
Raised median and railing on the Nile Street Ramp.
1963 aerial view showing the Nile Street ramp and the old configuration of the Wabash Blvd Freeway. Note the “ghost ramp” where I-805 now branches off just north of the Nile Street ramp. Courtesy – UCSB Archives
Motorcycle, Ninja 500R, Old Alignment, Old Bridge, Orange County, SR-57

Brea Canyon – Old Highway 57

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Even in heavily built up Orange County, there can still be places where old highways can be seen. One of the best examples is located in Brea Canyon, where the Orange Freeway winds its way through open and undeveloped lands between Orange and Los Angeles Counties. Before the freeway, State 57 followed Brea Canyon Road. This two-lane roadway has changed little through here and has a few interesting features.

Old pipe railing and current 1936 alignment.
Old pipe railing and current 1930’s alignment.
Section of original concrete, bypassed in 1936.
Section of original concrete, bypassed in the 1930’s.
Former weigh station platform.
Former weigh station platform.
1936 bridge over Brea Creek.
1939 bridge over Brea Creek.
Detail of the railing from the 1936 bridge.
Detail of the railing from the 1939 bridge.
Old concrete just past the lower 1936 bridge.
Old concrete just past the lower 1930 bridge.
Last section of old concrete just north of State College Blvd.
Last section of old concrete just north of State College Blvd.
Northbound video from Lambert Road to Diamond Bar
Baja California, Earthquake, Geology, Mexico, Old Alignment

April 2010 Baja Quake – Part 2

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In July 2010, I was able to go to Baja California with a friend. Part of our route traversed Federal Highway 2 (Mexico), which suffered some damage from the April 2010 quake. Hwy 2 had been repaired but the adjacent old alignment had not been. I was rather amazed at the amount of offset from this earthquake. I observed about 2′ of horizontal and about 5′ of vertical offset at the highway crossing.

East of the fault, bridge embankments on the Hwy 2 Mexicali Bypass show signs of settling.
East of the fault, bridge embankments on the Hwy 2 Mexicali Bypass show signs of settling.

Offset right of way fence next to Hwy 2.
Offset right of way fence next to Hwy 2.

Old alignment of Hwy 2, now offset by about 2 feet horizontally and 5 feet vertically.
Old alignment of Hwy 2, now offset by about 2 feet horizontally and 5 feet vertically.

Side view of the old alignment showing the vertical offset.
Side view of the old alignment showing the vertical offset.

Breaks in the soil to the north. Two distinct scarps can be noted here.
Breaks in the soil to the north. Two distinct scarps can be noted here.

At the break, the old alignment now has a steep ramp and crack.
At the break, the old alignment now has a steep ramp and crack.