Multiple bridges and tunnels carry California 70 through the Feather River Canyon. This view shows the steel arch Pulga Bridge, which spans high above the Feather River and the railroad. Photo taken 09/04/10.
Routing
California 70 is a major state highway that serves Northern California. A hook-shaped route, California 70 has two major segments: the north-south segment that parallels California 99 in the Sacramento Valley, and the primarily east-west route that passes through the Sierra Nevada via the Feather River Canyon en route to U.S. 395 at Hallelujah Junction northwest of Reno.
History
California 70 has only been in existence since 1964, but it has several historically significant segments. The portion of California 70 between California 99 and Olivehurst was originally designated as California 232; the section between Olivehurst and Marysville was originally part of U.S. 99E; and the portion between Marysville and Hallelujah Junction was known as Alternate U.S. 40 between 1954 and 1964 (and California 24). The statewide renumbering of several highways in 1964 resulted in the modern designation of California 70. This major state highway starts at its junction with California 99 east of Woodland at Exit 319, proceeds north as an expressway/freeway to Marysville, then continues north to Oroville as a rural, two-lane highway. At Oroville, California 70 widens out to freeway standards and continues that way until the California 149 interchange. At California 149, motorists may choose to follow California 70 northeast into the Feather River Canyon, or turn northwest along California 149 to merge onto California 99 north to Chico and Red Bluff. Through the Feather River Canyon, California 70 offering a low-elevation route through the Sierra Nevada that experiences closures due to weather less frequently than Interstate 80 and U.S. 40 via Donner's Pass and Summit (hence why it was designated as an alternative to U.S. 40). After tracing through Feather River Canyon, California 70 eventually comes to its end upon meeting U.S. 395 at Hallelujah Junction. U.S. 40 Alternate used to continue southeast along with U.S. 395 to rejoin U.S. 40 in Reno.
This view shows the offramp from northbound California 70 onto Business California 70 and California 162 at Exit 46 in Oroville. Photo taken 01/20/03.
These Business California 70 and California 162 trailblazer shields are posted on the offramp from California 70 north to Exit 46 in the city of Oroville. Turn left for California 162 west or right for California 162 east and Business California 70 north. Photos taken 01/20/03.
Business California 70 north and California 162/Oroville Dam Boulevard east
After the California 70 interchange, California 162 shares alignment briefly with Business California 70. The two routes will both follow Oroville Dam Boulevard between California 70 and Myers Street, where Business California 70 will turn north onto Myers Street. The business route passes through downtown Oroville, then returns to California 70 via Nelson Avenue. Photos taken 01/15/06 and 05/24/08.
Eastbound California 162 and northbound Business California 70 meet Feather River Boulevard at this traffic signal. Photo taken 01/15/06.
Continuing east, California 162 and northbound Business California 70 next meet Fifth Avenue, which travels north to Bedrock Park along the Feather River. Photo taken 01/15/06.
California 162 and Business California 70 have a grade separation from the railroad by way of this 1986 overpass. Photo taken 01/15/06.
The truck route ends as eastbound California 162 and northbound Business California 70 approach the Lincoln Street signalized intersection. Photo taken 01/15/06.
A California 162 east route marker shield is posted between Lincoln Street and Myers Street. Photo taken 01/15/06.
At Myers Street, the routes divide. Turn left (north) on Myers Street for Business California 70 north to historic downtown Oroville (via Historic California 24 and Old Alternate U.S. 40). California 162 will proceed east along Oroville Dam Boulevard. Photo taken 01/15/06.
Eastbound California 162/Oroville Dam Boulevard meets Junction Business California 70/Myers Street at this signalized intersection. Photo taken 01/15/06.
Business California 70/Myers Street north
Business California 70 north and Butte County Route B-2/Montgomery Street east
Business California 70/Table Mountain Boulevard north
Leaving the intersection between Washington Avenue and Montgomery Street east of downtown Oroville, Business California 70 turns north onto Table Mountain Boulevard (leaving Butte County Route B-2 behind as well). A bridge immediately carries Business California 70 north over the Feather River downstream from Oroville Dam. Photo taken 05/24/08.
Parallel to the modern, 1980s-era Business California 70/Table Mountain Bridge is the original steel through-truss bridge (Upper Thermalito Bridge) that was built in 1907 and served as the primary river crossing until the modern bridge opened. The original bridge remains in use as a bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists. Photo taken 05/24/08.
On this rainy day, Business California 70/Table Mountain Boulevard crosses over the Feather River. The business route will proceed north until reaching Nelson Avenue, where it will turn west to return to the freeway. An old alignment of California 24 and Alternate U.S. 40 will follow Table Mountain Boulevard north, only to merge with California 70 at the California 191 intersection. Photo taken 05/24/08.
Business California 70 north and Nelson Avenue west
Business California 70 south and Nelson Avenue east
Business California 70/Table Mountain Boulevard south
Business California 70 south and Butte County Route B-2/Montgomery Street west
Now traveling west along Montgomery Street through downtown Oroville, this business loop shield mistakes Business California 70 for Business Loop Interstate 70. This shield is located along the shared segment of Business California 70 south and Butte County Route B-2 west along Montgomery Street in downtown Oroville. According to Warren Jensen on 12/17/03, "the famous I-70 business shield in downtown Oroville was vandalized this year and the shield had to be replaced. Did they make a correct business California 70 shield? Nope. They ordered a brand new I-70 business shield!" Photo taken 01/20/03.
Business California 70/Myers Street south
Business California 70 south and California 162/Oroville Dam Boulevard west
Soon thereafter, California 162/Oroville Dam Boulevard west and Business California 70 south meet Lincoln Street at this intersection. Photo taken 01/15/06.
A Business California 70 reassurance marker is posted after the Lincoln Street intersection. Photo taken 01/15/06.
Westbound California 162/Oroville Dam Boulevard and southbound Business California 70 meet Fifth Avenue at this traffic signal. Photo taken 01/15/06.
The right lane of California 162/Oroville Dam Boulevard west becomes exit only for California 70 north to Chico and Quincy. This marks the western terminus of Business California 70. Photo taken 01/15/06.
Westbound California 162/Oroville Dam Boulevard meets the onramp to California 70 north. The next left connects to California 70 south to Marysville, and California 162 itself continues west to Willows. Photo taken 01/15/06.
Scenes Pertaining to California 70
This series of pictures follows Lindhurst Avenue north in Olivehurst and Linda along an old alignment of U.S. 99E. The old alignment parallels California 70 between Exits 18A and 19 on the east side of the freeway. Traveling north, the first left connects to California 70 north to Marysville. The next intersection is with Erle Road; turn left here for the connection to California 70 south. Photos taken 05/24/08.
