US 6 / US 99 Junction – Tunnel Station

Virtual Tour US 6 / US 99
Newhall Pass

US 6 / US 99 Junction
Tunnel Station

Newhall Pass in 1880, before construction of roadways. The pass has changed greatly since then.
Newhall Pass in 1880, before construction of roadways. The pass has changed greatly since then.
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Tunnel Station Viaduct.
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Tunnel Station Viaduct, looking toward the original junction.
Detail of the railing.
Detail of the railing.

The Tunnel Station Viaduct (53-409), as it is known, was originally built in 1911 by the City of Los Angeles. The structure was later widened in 1936 to its current form. While somewhat modified in the intervening years through the removal of the light posts and seismic retrofitting, the bridge still retains some of its unique features. The railing and sides have an Art Deco look to them, common for bridges in the Los Angeles area from that era.

Sierra Highway heads north, US 99 heads northwest, US 6 and US 99 leave on the road marked with a 4 to the south. The red line heading south, ending on Sierra Highway, is old Foothill Blvd (extended here in 1934).
Sierra Highway heads north, US 99 heads northwest, US 6 and US 99 leave on the road marked with a 4 to the south. The red line heading south, ending on Sierra Highway, is old Foothill Blvd (extended here in 1934).
Looking southerly at Tunnel Station Junction in January 1949.
Looking southerly at Tunnel Station Junction in January 1949. Courtesy – Caltrans

In 1930, the Newhall Alternate was completed between Tunnel Station (here) and Saugus Junction bypassing Newhall and Saugus. This greatly improved traffic conditions at Tunnel Station Junction, however, it was not to last. In 1934, Foothill Blvd was extended here, functioning as a bypass of Los Angeles, much like I-210 does today diverting traffic bound for Pasadena. After US 6 was extended here in 1937, traffic heading up to the Eastern Sierra increased, again creating traffic jams here.

Northerly along San Fernando Road just south of Tunnel Station in 1953. Note the freeway construction to the right.
Northerly along San Fernando Road just south of Tunnel Station in 1953. Note the freeway construction to the right. Courtesy – Caltrans
1950 view of Tunnel Station Junction, looking north.
1950 view of Tunnel Station Junction, looking north. Courtesy – Caltrans
Looking up Weldon Canyon from the old end of Foothill Blvd at Sierra Highway in 1950.
Looking up Weldon Canyon from the old end of Foothill Blvd at Sierra Highway in 1950. Courtesy – Caltrans
Tunnel Station Viaduct and the US 6 / US 99 interchange in 1955.
Tunnel Station Viaduct and the US 6 / US 99 interchange in 1955. Courtesy – Caltrans
Postcard from the 1920's showing the Los Angeles Aqueduct and US 99. This is just west of the present Balboa Blvd OC.
Postcard from the 1920’s showing the Los Angeles Aqueduct and US 99. This is just west of the present Balboa Blvd OC.

In 1954, the first segment of the Golden State Freeway was completed through here, bypassing the old junction. It ran from the San Fernando Road / Sepulveda Blvd junction to near the top of Weldon Summit.  A three level interchange was constructed to help alleviate the congestion here. Starting from the top, US 99 is on the top level, US 6 is on the middle level, and a ramp from US 6 West to US 99 South is on the third level. This interchange was in use until the modern interchange between I-5 and SR-14 was built in 1971. That interchange had to be rebuilt due to an earthquake on February 9, 1971. It was finally completed in 1975. In 1994, the I-5/SR-14 interchange was rebuilt yet again after two of the bridges collapsed. The original freeway portion, albeit modified heavily, is still in use today as the I-5 Truck Lanes.

Newly completed three-level interchange with US 6 and US 99 in 1955.
Newly completed three-level interchange with US 6 and US 99 in 1955. Courtesy – Caltrans
US 99 / US 6 Junction in 1996
US 99 / US 6 Junction in 1996
US 99 / US 6 Junction in 1971 - Looking northwest through tunnel.
US 99 / US 6 Junction in 1971 – Looking northwest through tunnel.
Map of the 1954 freeway interchange.
Map of the 1954 freeway interchange.
1955 ACSC map showing the complete Golden State Freeway through Newhall Pass from Sepulveda Junction to Tunnel Station.
Golden State Freeway (US 6 / US 99) in 1955 at the Los Angeles Aqueduct, looking northerly. Balboa Blvd crosses over the freeway here today.
Golden State Freeway (US 6 / US 99) in 1955 at the Los Angeles Aqueduct, looking northerly. Balboa Blvd crosses over the freeway here today. Courtesy – Caltrans
1970 view of the I-5 / SR-14 Interchange construction. This "build" would partially collapse on February 9, 1971 while still incomplete.
1970 view of the I-5 / SR-14 Interchange construction. This “build” would partially collapse on February 9, 1971 while still incomplete. Courtesy – Caltrans
The second "build" of the 5 / 14 Interchange following the Sylmar Earthquake.
The second “build” of the 5 / 14 Interchange following the Sylmar Earthquake. Courtesy – Caltrans
Looking west towards the 5 / 14 interchange.
Looking west towards the 5 / 14 interchange.
Underneath the 5 / 14 interchange looking north from The Old Road. This photo was taken in 1997.
Underneath the 5 / 14 interchange looking north from The Old Road. This photo was taken in 1997.
ACSC map showing the modern configuration from the 210 to the 14.
ACSC map showing the modern configuration from the 210 to the 14.

Go East on US 6 and North US 99 (1926-1930)

Go North on US 99 to Bakersfield

Go South on US 99 / West US 6 to Los Angeles

Go East on Foothill Blvd. (LR 157 and SR-118) to Pasadena

Return to US 6 Introduction
Return to US 99 Introduction

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