Category Archives: History

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, 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
County Highway, District 8, Highways, History, Image, Old Bridge, Roads, San Bernardino County, Santa Ana River

Featured Image – 5/31/2022

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1912 / 1933 Greenspot Road bridge over the Santa Ana River

The Greenspot Road bridge, locally known as the “Erector Set Bridge” has an interesting history. It was originally built in 1912 located near Victorville at the Mojave Narrows. In 1932, the bridge was dismantled and replaced with a wider span for US Highway 66. In 1933, San Bernardino County purchased a portion of the span and rebuilt it over the Santa Ana River between Mentone and Highland. The bridge remained in general use until 2015 when it was bypassed by a new bridge to the west. Today, the bridge is a part of a bicycle trail along the Santa Ana River.

To get to the bridge, use either the 5th St / Greenspot Road exit on State 210 (Exit 83) from the west or via State 38 (Mill Creek Road) and Garnet St from the east.

Further Reading:

Historic Bridges of Southern California