Category Archives: US 99

Burbank, Caltrans, District 7, Highways, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, History, I-5, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Road Signs, Roads, US 99

Historic Sign Revealed in Los Angeles

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Either through heavy wind, corrosion, or a combination of the two, a section of “greenout” fell off a sign on the eastbound Ventura Freeway (State 134) recently at Victory Blvd. This sign, approaching the Golden State Freeway (I-5) has been there since 1961 when the freeway opened. In 1961, the Golden State Freeway was still US Highway 99. In 1965, the sign was covered over with an overlay for I-5. In early 2023, that overlay (“greenout”) fell off, revealing a portion of the original signage. The left side of the sign has a State 134 EAST sign as 134 proceeded east toward Pasadena via the Golden State Freeway and Colorado St until 1968.

For more information about US 99:

Enjoy it while it lasts!

Sign bridge on eastbound 134 showing the US 99 sign.
US 99 revealed! A State 134 EAST sign remains covered on the left side of the sign.
Highways, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, History, Los Angeles County, Old Alignment, Presentation, Ridge Route, US 99

Ridge Route Alternate Presentation Video

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If you missed my presentation on September 13 on the history of the Ridge Route Alternate, you can see it on YouTube on the Historic Highway 99 Association of California’s channel. Come take a look!

Castaic, Event, I-5, Los Angeles County, Ridge Route, Ridge Route Preservation Organization, Route Fire, Santa Clarita, US 99, Wildfire

Route Fire – Updated 1730

From the Ridge Route Preservation Organization:

Another wildfire has started at the south end of the Ridge Route in Marple Canyon along the 5. This fire, known as the Route Fire, has so far burned 250 acres and is not contained. The fire has burned across the old Ridge Route at the Callahan Line Change location, about 2 miles north of Castaic. Evacuations are underway as far north as Templin Highway. The fire has burned as far north as Martin’s, south of Templin Highway. It is not known if the structure survived.

At this time, I-5 is closed from State 138 to Castaic. The Ridge Route is also closed to through travel from Castaic to State 138 as the gates are closed. Do not use any portion of the Ridge Route as a bypass for I-5 at any time as it is not built for heavy traffic. Big rigs have attempted this in the past and got stuck, blocking others in.

For further information regarding road closures and detours, we strongly recommend Caltrans Quickmap at https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ which has detailed information and updated traffic conditions.

We will post updates, as needed, if the Ridge Route itself or historic structures are damaged or in danger. After the fire is out and things have settled down, we will assess any damage to the roadway and post a report.

Castaic, Event, Highways, Historic Highway 99 Association of California, History, Los Angeles County, Meeting, Old Alignment, Old Bridge, Presentation, Ridge Route, Roads, US 99

Historic US 99 Presentation

On September 13, 2022, I will be giving a Zoom presentation for the Historic Highway 99 Association of California on the Ridge Route Alternate between Castaic and Tejon Pass. Come join the Association for the presentation! See the link below for details and to learn how to sign up.

September 2022 Presentation and Update
District 7, Highways, History, I-5, Image, Los Angeles County, Old Bridge, Roads, Santa Clarita, US 99

Featured Image – 8/21/2022

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1929 culvert beneath I-5, at the lower left of the photo. Taken 2022.

Hidden below I-5 just north of Valencia Blvd next to a drainage basin, a bit of US 99 history remains in Santa Clarita, California. A culvert, dating to 1929, has survived through an expressway upgrade in 1949, freeway construction in 1967, bridge replacement construction in 2001, and current widening work in 2022. How much longer it will last is unknown but so far it has withstood the test of time.

US 99 – Pico Canyon Road