Interstate 80 West - Solano and Napa Counties


Interstate 80 west and California 113 south
Now fully within Solano County (after the California 113 north interchange at Exit 70), this mileage sign lists the distances to Dixon (California 113 southbound split), Vacaville (Interstate 505), and San Francisco (control city and western terminus of Interstate 80). California 113 and Interstate 80 share alignment for the next several miles, splitting at Exit 66A. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next interchange along Interstate 80 west and California 113 south is Exit 69, Kidwell Road. Kidwell Road comprises a short connector between the adjacent frontage roads of Sparling Lane (eastbound side) and Olmo Lane (westbound side). Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 69, Kidwell Road. Use Exit 69 to Olmo Lane and Sparling Lane, both of which serve farming and ranching interests alongside the freeway. Sparling Lane also connects Kidwell Road to Tremont Road and Pedrick Road to the southwest. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next five exits from Interstate 80 all serve the city of Dixon: Exit 67, Solano County E-7/Pedrick Road; Exit 66B, Milk Farm Road; Exit 66A, California 113/First Street south; Exit 64, Pitt School Road; and Exit 63, A Street and Dixon Way. Dixon had a population of 18,351 as of the 2010 Census, sits at an elevation of 62 feet, and was incorporated on March 30, 1878. Photo taken 07/02/13.
This view looks west along Interstate 80 and California 113 about one-half mile ahead of the Exit 67 half-cloverleaf interchange with Pedrick Road (Solano County E-7) and Sievers Road. Sievers Road stems west from the Exit 67 westbound off-ramp with Pedrick Road 6.5 miles to Halley Road. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 and southbound California 113 meet Exit 67, Solano County E-7/Pedrick Road. Solano County E-7 becomes Yolo County E-7/Road 98 after crossing Putah Creek, which forms the county line between Solano and Yolo. E-7 parallels California 113 to the west of Davis and Woodland, connecting to Interstate 5 at the California 16/Business Loop I-5 interchange northwest of downtown Woodland. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Interstate 80 passes under Pedrick Road and enters the city of Dixon. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Continuing southwest toward the community of Dixon on Interstate 80 and California 113, the next interchange is Exit 66B, Milk Farm Road. This frontage road connects Exit 66B to Currey Road on the northwest side of the freeway. Interstate 80 is traveling generally southwest at this point, hence why there is a northwest-side frontage road along the freeway. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Westbound Interstate 80 and southbound California 113 reaches Exit 66B, Milk Farm Road. Use Milk Farm Road west for Currey Road north. Photo taken 09/10/05.

California 113 prepares to split from Interstate 80 westbound for 1st Street south into Dixon at Exit 66A, which is a partial-cloverleaf interchange between the two highways at Currey Road. Photo taken 07/02/13.
California 113 leads south to Dixon, then continues to its southern terminus (where it meets California 12 in the Delta). The city of Rio Vista is located along California 12 east of its junction with California 113 on the Sacramento River near where it meets California 160. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 meets Exit 66A, California 113 (First Street) south. The routes divide at Exit 66A: Interstate 80 west and California 113 south split at this point. California 113 (First Street) intersects A Street in two miles near downtown Dixon on the 21-mile drive to California 12 (Rio Vista Road). Photo taken 07/02/13.
A towering Milk Farm marquee still stands sentry over the Exit 66A interchange. This site is the historical location of Milk Farm restaurant, which operated in Dixon from 1928 to 1986. While the restaurant has remained closed ever since, the landmark sign remains in place at a spot that is slated for future improvements. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Interstate 80 passes under the ramp that carries California 113 south onto First Street in Dixon. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Interstate 80 west
The next interchange along Interstate 80 west is Exit 64, Pitt School Road, which roughly parallels California 113 and Currey Road one mile to the west. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 64, Pitt School Road. The north-south road travels nine miles between Hawkins Road and Sievers Road. A half-cloverleaf interchange joins Pitt School Road with the freeway at Stratford Avenue in Dixon. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Interstate 80 passes under Pitt School Road, and a reassurance shield is visible just beyond the overpass. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next interchange along Interstate 80 west is Exit 63, A Street and Dixon Avenue. A Street travels two miles west from California 113/First Street through Dixon to Interstate 80 at Exit 63. A half-cloverleaf interchange comprises the junction between A Street/Dixon Avenue, Interstate 80, Schroeder Road north and Batavia Road south. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 63, Dixon Avenue and A Street. Dixon Avenue continues A Street west three miles to Meridian Road. Schoeder Road heads north three miles to Sievers Road. Batavia Road continues Schroeder Road's alignment south of A Street three miles to Weber Road. The main roads throughout northern Solano County were laid out in one by one mile quadrants. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Interstate 80 leaves Dixon on the eight-mile drive to Vacaville. Interstate 80 enters the San Francisco Bay Area at Fairfield (19 miles ahead) and will proceed 62 miles to its endpoint in San Francisco. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next exit along Interstate 80 southwest is Exit 60, Midway Road and Lewis Road (one mile). Midway Road travels east-west between Hartley and Yolano in rural environs. Lewis Road stems south from the interchange seven miles to Hay Road. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The second of three 500kV power lines that constitute part of the California-Oregon Intertie crosses over Interstate 80. This particular line is owned by the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), hence why the tower design is different from the Pacific Gas and Electric 500kV power line seen near Davis. This line travels south to a large substation near Tracy and north to another large substation just west of Cottonwood (called the Olinda Substation). Photo taken 07/02/13.
One half mile ahead of the parclo interchange (Exit 60) with Midway and Lewis Roads on I-80 west. Exit 60 also connects to O'Day Road, which enters the scene as the westbound side frontage road from between Nunes Road to Midway Road. The westbound on-ramp joins the freeway with O'Day Road ahead of its end at Midway Road. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Use Exit 60 to the Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery. Photo taken 07/02/13.
A small guide sign advises motorists bound for Elmira to use Exit 60. The unincorporated community of Elmira sits 5.5 miles south of Interstate 80 via Lewis Road south to Holdener Road west. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 meets Exit 60, Midway Road and Lewis Road. Midway Road ventures 15 miles east from Timm Road north of Vacaville to Hyde Road and the Yolo County line. The road interchanges with Interstate 505 approximately 2.5 miles to the west and intersects California 113 (Rio Dixon Road) four miles to the east. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Upon passing through Exit 60, Interstate 80 enters the city of Vacaville, which had a population of 92,428 as of the 2010 Census. Vacaville was incorporated on August 9, 1892. Photo taken 07/02/13.
An Interstate 80 west reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Exit 60. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The Vaca-Dixon Substation connects several regional power transmission lines, including several that connect Path 15 to the northern San Francisco Bay. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 59, Meridian Road and Weber Road. Exit 59 is a folded-diamond interchange. Meridian Road travels 4.3 miles north to Sweeney Road. Weber Road ends at Pitt School Road four miles to the east. Meridian Road enters the interchange from Midway to the north and turns east to become Weber Road at Exit 59. Photo taken 07/02/13.
While mostly obscured by vegetation, the Vaca-Dixon Substation is partially visible from the westbound lanes of Interstate 80. The third 500kV component of the California-Oregon Intertie enters this substation from the north and will continue south toward the Delta region. Photo taken 07/02/13.
After passing under the Meridian Road overpass, the third 500kV line of the California-Oregon Intertie passes overhead. This line travels north to the Table Mountain substation near Oroville and south to the Tesla substation south of Tracy. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west is Exit 57, Leisure Town Road and Vaca Valley Parkway. Exit 57 is a half-cloverleaf interchange. Leisure Town Road travels along the eastern reaches of the city between Vanden Road to Vaca Valley Parkway at Interstate 80. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The right two lanes of Interstate 80 west serve the Exit 57 ramp departure to Leisure Town Road and Vaca Valley Parkway. Use Vaca Valley Parkway west to meet Interstate 505 at Exit 1. Leisure Town Road travels south 0.4 miles to Orange Drive, 2.7 miles to Elmira Road, and 3.7 miles to Fry Road. Exit 57 serves the Vacaville town center and Solano County Community College. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 57, Leisure Town Road and Vaca Valley Parkway. The following interchange is Exit 56, Interstate 505 north to Winters and points north via Interstate 5. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west is Exit 56 for I-505 north to Winters, Red Bluff, Redding, and Yreka. Interstate 505 leads north to Interstate 5 near Dunnigan via Winters. It is designed to allow traffic from the Bay Area to reach Northern California and Oregon/Washington via Interstate 80, Interstate 505, and Interstate 5, thus avoiding Sacramento. Photo taken 07/02/13.
As a freeway, Interstate 505 does not have any services available, especially since it leaves Vacaville quickly on its way north. Most traffic along westbound would not use Interstate 505, but eastbound traffic heading toward the Pacific Northwest would find this link invaluable by eliminating a jog eastward to reach Sacramento. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Exit 56 departs Interstate 80 westbound for Interstate 505 north to Winters, Dunnigan, and Redding. Historically speaking, Interstate 505 represented the final leg of former Interstate 5W. As originally conceived in the 1960s, Interstate 5W was to have comprised a loop into the San Francisco Bay area by way of Interstate 580 and U.S. 50 from south of Tracy to Oakland, Interstate 80 and U.S. 40 between Oakland and Vacaville, and Interstate 505 from Vacaville to Dunnigan. Interstate 505 does not overlay a former U.S. highway, unlike many other Interstate freeways in the area. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Interstate 80 enters the Interstate 505 interchange complex. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next four exits along Interstate 80 west serve the city of Vacaville. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west is Exit 55, Monte Vista Avenue. This sign is posted within the footprint of the interchange complex between Interstate 80 and Interstate 505. Monte Vista Avenue constitutes the southbound side frontage road of Interstate 505 from Vaca Valley Parkway southward to Interstate 80. The surface street continues west along Interstate 80 at Nut Tree Airport to Allison Drive. Exit 55 serves the Vacaville Cultural Center, home of the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Traffic from Interstate 505 south merges onto Interstate 80 west. A mileage sign provides the distance to the next two interchanges: Exit 55, Monte Vista Avenue and Allison Drive and Exit 54B, Mason Street. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 55, Monte Vista Avenue and Allison Drive. Exit 55 also provides a direct connection to Browns Valley Parkway northbound. Browns Valley Parkway begins at Monte Vista Avenue and heads north four miles to Cantelow Road through northern reaches of the city. Allison Drive arcs 1.3 miles south from Browns Valley Parkway to Nut Tree Parkway east and Elmira Road. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Allison Drive crosses over Interstate 80 between Monte Vista Avenue and Nut Tree Parkway. Posted at the overcrossing is the 0.75-mile guide sign for Mason Street (Exit 54B). Mason Street continues Elmira Road west of Peabody Road to Merchant and West Streets in downtown Vacaville. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Drawing to within one half mile of the Exit 54B folded-diamond interchange with Mason Street. The off-ramp intersects Mason Street at Depot Street. Depot Street connects Mason Street with Monte Vista Avenue. Cliffside Drive joins the eastbound ramps with Peabody Road south of Mason Street. Peabody Road comprises a north-south surface arterial from Mason Street south to California Avenue. Photo taken 09/10/05.
Exit 54B leaves Interstate 80 westbound to the intersection of Depot and Mason Streets. Mason Street and Davis Street ahead serve downtown Vacaville to the northwest. Elmira Road east and Peabody Road south serve residential areas of east Vacaville. Photo taken 09/10/05.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west is Exit 54A, Davis Street, which serves downtown Vacaville. (We currently have no picture of the actual off-ramp for Exit 54A.) Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next exit along westbound Interstate 80 is Exit 53, Merchant Street and Alamo Drive. This is the last Vacaville exit along westbound; the freeway will pass through some rural areas prior to reaching Fairfield. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 53, Merchant Street and Alamo Drive. Note the next exit will be Exit 52, Cherry Glen Road. An overhead sign would be helpful at this location. Photo taken 07/02/13.
This mileage sign along Interstate 80 west provides the distance to Vallejo (22 miles) and San Francisco (52 miles). Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 52, Cherry Glen Road. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next exit is Exit 51B, Pena Adobe Road, which leads to Lagoon Valley Regional Park. Photo taken 08/20/03.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 51B, Pena Adobe Road. Photo taken 08/20/03.
Interstate 80 again intersects Cherry Glen Road, this time along with Lagoon Valley Road, at Exit 51A. Photo taken 08/20/03.
The next five exits all serve the city of Fairfield. Texas Street serves as the primary arterial route through the city, as it used to be U.S. 40 before Interstate 80 bypassed it. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The first Fairfield interchange is Exit 48, Manuel Campos Parkway and North Texas Street (Historic U.S. 40). Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 meets Exit 48, North Texas Street (Historic U.S. 40) and Manuel Campos Parkway. North Texas Street heads due south into downtown Fairfield, presumably paralleling the original U.S. 40 corridor. To return to westbound Interstate 80 from downtown Fairfield, follow North Texas Street south to West Texas Street westbound. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Interstate 80 enters the city of Fairfield, which had a population of 105,321 as of the 2010 Census and was incorporated on December 12, 1903. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Four lanes carry Interstate 80 west between North Texas Street and Waterman Boulevard. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next two off-ramps from Interstate 80 west are Exits 47B-A, Waterman Boulevard and Air Base Parkway. As the name implies, Air Base Parkway travels due east to Travis Air Force Base, which is situated east of Fairfield. Photo taken 07/02/13.
As the name implies for Exit 47A, Air Base Parkway travels due east to Travis Air Force Base, which is situated east of Fairfield. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 meets Exit 47B, Waterman Boulevard. The second ramp of this interchange connects to Exit 47A, Air Base Parkway. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 47A, Air Base Parkway to Travis Air Force Base. An overhead sign points the way to Interstate 80 west to Vallejo and San Francisco. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west is Exit 45, Travis Boulevard. Roadside businesses can be accessed via this off-ramp. Photo taken 07/02/13.
West Texas Street will return to Interstate 80 at Exit 44 in Fairfield. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Use Exit 44 to downtown Fairfield. Photo taken 05/28/06.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 44, West Texas Street and Rockville Road. Considering how North Texas Street and West Texas Street form the two legs of a right triangle, with Interstate 80 acting as the hypotenuse, it seems logical that the entire street could be a business loop of Interstate 80. However, it is not. Photo taken 05/28/06.
The next interchange along Interstate 80 west is Exit 43, To California 12 East and Abernathy Road (one-half mile). Abernathy Road leads south to meet California 12, which connects to Suisun City and Rio Vista en route to the Central Valley and Sierra Foothills. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 43, To California 12 East/Abernathy Road. Interstate 80 and California 12 will join together on a shared alignment ahead, and they continue together for four miles between Fairfield and Cordelia, just west of the exit for Interstate 680. Photo taken 07/02/13.
To alleviate concerns about the California 12 west exit, this sign indicates that it is four miles ahead. Westbound California 12 leads to Napa, Sonoma Valley and Santa Rosa, with connections to the coast and Bodega Bay. Photo taken 05/28/06.
An Interstate 80 west route marker is posted soon thereafter. Photo taken 05/28/06.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west is Exit 42, Weigh Station (one mile). Photo taken 05/28/06.
Interstate 80 and California 12 west
Traffic from California 12 joins Interstate 80, and the two routes become signed together. Photo taken 05/28/06.
An overhead sign is posted for Exit 42, Weigh Station. Photo taken 05/28/06.
Commercial trucks should exit into the weigh station. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 meets Exit 42, Weigh Station. Photo taken 07/02/13.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Exit 40, Interstate 680 south and Exit 39, California 12 west. This sign ignores Exit 41, Suisun Valley Road/Green Valley Road. Since so many routes squeeze onto Interstate 80 through this stretch, it is frequently jammed with cars and can be the location for delays, especially during commute hours. The sign was replaced between 2006 and 2013. Photos taken 07/02/13 and 05/28/06.
The next exit along Interstate 80 and California 12 west is Exit 41, Suisun Valley Road and Green Valley Road (one-half mile). Photo taken 07/02/13.
A set of overhead guide signs advise of Exit 41, Suisun Valley Road and Green Valley Road and Exit 40, Interstate 680 south to Concord and San Jose. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 and California 12 meet Exit 41, Suisun Valley Road/Green Valley Road. The next exit is Exit 40, Interstate 680/Gibson Freeway south through the inland valleys of the East Bay en route to San Jose. Photo taken 05/28/06.
In addition to Benicia and San Jose, Interstate 680 also leads south into Contra Costa County and the cities of Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek, and Danville/San Ramon Valley. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 and California 12 meet Exit 40, Interstate 680 south to Benicia, Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Sunol, Fremont, and San Jose. Until 1976, Interstate 680 in Solano County was signed as California 21 (and modern Interstate 780 was the northernmost portion of Interstate 680). Photo taken 05/28/06.
California 12 splits from Interstate 80 at Exit 39B. Resuming as a two-lane route (Jameson Canyon Road), the highway continues its drive toward Sonoma County and Bodega Bay (even though the state highway does not currently make it all the way to the coast, ending prematurely in Sebastopol at California 116). At Santa Rosa, California 12 widens out to a freeway briefly, but most of the planned freeway in that city was never constructed. Photo taken 05/28/06.
Interstate 80 passes under the transition ramp to Interstate 680 south. Photo taken 07/02/13.
California 12 travels west to meet California 29, then turns northwest to steer around the southside of Napa via a bypass that partially carries California 12, California 29, and California 121. Upon leaving the Napa bypass, California 12 curves west and then north into the Sonoma Valley, then turns west again into Santa Rosa, where it meets U.S. 101. California 12 then continues west into Sebastopol, where it ends at California 116. Photo taken 05/28/06.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 39B, California 12/Jameson Canyon Road west to Napa, Sonoma, and Santa Rosa. California 12 will pass through Jameson Canyon on its way to California 29. The next exit is Exit 39A, Red Top Road. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Interstate 80 west
The left four lanes of Interstate 80 west continue toward the San Francisco Bay Area. Two bridges pass overhead: the first is the transition ramp from California 12 east to Interstate 80 east, and the other carries a railroad over the freeway. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Use Exit 39A, Red Top Road, to Lynch Canyon Open Space Park, which is operated and maintained by Solano County. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 39A, Red Top Road. Use this interchange to access Historic U.S. 40/McGary Road, which parallels the freeway on a frontage road on the south side. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The gore point is signed as Exit 39, even though it should be Exit 39A. The interchange with California 12 is Exit 39B. Photo taken 07/02/13.
A Pacific Gas and Electric 230kv power line crosses over Interstate 80 near the Red Top Road interchange. Power lines will parallel Interstate 80 from here to Vallejo. Photos taken 07/02/13.
This series of pictures follows Interstate 80 west between Red Top Road and American Canyon Road. The third in this series shows not only the westbound lanes but also the eastbound lanes and old alignment of U.S. 40. The eastbound lanes and U.S. 40 are at a lower elevation than the westbound lanes. Photos taken 07/02/13.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west is Exit 36, American Canyon Road and Hiddenbrooke Parkway (one-half mile). Hiddenbrooke Parkway serves a new community built in the early 2000s southeast of Interstate 80 in the city of Vallejo, even though this interchange rests on the county line between Solano and Napa Counties. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 36, American Canyon Road and Hiddenbrooke Parkway. American Canyon Road travels west into the city of American Canyon (population 19,454 as of 2010 Census and incorporated on January 1, 1992) and connects directly with California 29. At this exit, westbound Interstate 80 briefly enters a corner of Napa County, leaving Solano County temporarily. Photo taken 07/02/13.
As power lines cross overhead, we reach the gore point for Exit 36, American Canyon Road and Hiddenbrooke Parkway. At the top of the ramp, turn left for Hiddenbrooke Parkway or right for American Canyon Road. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Passing under American Canyon Road and Hiddenbrooke Parkway, this overhead sign along westbound Interstate 80 points the way to the next major interchange: Exit 33B, California 37 (two miles). Interstate 80 reenters Solano County in the vicinity of this sign (the county lines are not posted along the freeway near as we could tell). Photo taken 07/02/13.
An Interstate 80 west reassurance shield is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Several Pacific Gas and Electric power lines line the ridge on the southeast side of Interstate 80. This area is relatively undeveloped and has segments protected as regional parks. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west is the final rest area along westbound (Exit 34). The rest area is located on the crest of Hunter Hill. It is situated about a mile or so prior to the California 37 interchange (Exit 33B). Photo taken 07/02/13.
Exit 34 offers a rest area, tourist information, vista point (looking toward San Pablo Bay), and truck parking area. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Interstate 80 drops into a valley; the Hunter Hill Rest Area and the vista point are located at the top of the hill. Beyond the hill, San Pablo Bay and the city of Vallejo will come into view. Vallejo had a population of 115,942 as of the 2010 Census and was incorporated on March 30, 1868. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 meets the off-ramp to Exit 34, which serves a truck parking area, rest area (with restrooms and facilities), tourist information, and vista point. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Upon exiting, look for the truck parking area first, followed by the rest area. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The Hunter Hill Rest Area turnoff is located toward the rear of the truck parking area (as seen from the main lanes of Interstate 80). Photo taken 07/02/13.
After the rest area, the next interchange along Interstate 80 west is Exit 33B, California 37 west to Novato, San Rafael, and Petaluma. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Exit 33B is a major exit for a variety of reasons. First, it connects to California 37, a major east-west freeway/expressway that crosses the northern edge of San Pablo Bay between Vallejo and Novato. Second, the first exit along westbound California 37 is Fairgrounds Drive, which connects to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, the Solano County Fairgrounds, and the Joe Mortara Vallejo Golf Course. Finally, California 37 is the best route to reach northbound California 29 en route to the city of Napa, Napa Valley, Calistoga, and Lake County. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 33B, California 37 west to Novato and San Rafael, both cities in Marin County. California 37 (Marine World Parkway) constitutes a varying freeway and divided highway from Interstate 80 west to Mare Island. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Immediately thereafter, Interstate 80 west meets Exit 33A, Columbus Parkway, which is a north-south route that skirts the eastern fringes of the city of Vallejo. Columbus Parkway ends at its junction with Interstate 780 at the Benicia State Recreation Area exit. Interstate 80, meanwhile continues straight ahead into Vallejo. Photo taken 07/02/13.
After westbound Interstate 80 passes the gore point of Exit 33A and passes through the California 37 interchange, it will turn more southerly as it gently descends into Vallejo. As Interstate 80 approaches urbanized areas of the eastern Bay Area (including the cities of Contra Costa County and Alameda County), the freeway will become much tighter, with minimal right of way. From here until its conclusion in San Francisco, Interstate 80 remains an urban freeway. Photos taken 07/02/13.
The next exit from Interstate 80 west is Exit 32, Redwood Street, a major arterial within the city of Vallejo. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 meets Exit 32, Redwood Street. Use Redwood Street west to Larwin Plaza, then connects to California 37 via northbound Sacramento Street. Photo taken 07/02/13.
This interchange sequence sign provides the distance to the next three exits along westbound Interstate 80: Exit 31B, Tennessee Street (0.75 mile); Exit 31A, Solano Avenue and Springs Road (one mile), and Exit 30B, Georgia Street (1.25 miles). These exits happen in rapid succession, so exiting traffic should stay right, and through traffic should watch for merging traffic. Photo taken 07/02/13.
A dynamic message sign advises of the carpool lane hours on the Carquinez Bridge (Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge), which carries Interstate 80 over the Carquinez Straits (where the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River empty into San Pablo Bay. The bridge is about three miles ahead. No toll is charged for southbound (westbound) traffic. Photo taken 07/02/13.
To the Vallejo Ferry Terminal, use Exit 30A (Curtola Parkway). The Baylink Ferry joins Vallejo with Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 meets Exit 31B, Tennessee Street, which leads west to Mare Island and central Vallejo north of downtown. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The off-ramp to Exit 31B, Tennessee Street becomes a collector distributor lane and splits into two ramps. The first connects to Tennessee Street west to Mare Island and central Vallejo. The second ramp links to Tennessee Street east. This tight interchange is almost like a cloverleaf, but it is fit into the limited space afforded in an already-developed area. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Looking at the collector distributor lane, the second ramp links to Tennessee Street east. Note that through traffic may use the collector distributor lane to return to Interstate 80 west (which is actually heading almost due south at this point). Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west is Exit 31A, Solano Avenue and Springs Road, followed by Exit 30B, Georgia Street and Exit 30A, Interstate 780 east and Curtola Parkway west. This roadside guide sign is posted for Curtola Parkway, which is only a mile ahead. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 31A, Solano Avenue and Springs Road. Solano Avenue travels southwest toward downtown Vallejo, while Springs Road heads east past the post office to meet Columbus Parkway in eastern Vallejo. Photo taken 07/02/13.
After the off-ramp to Exit 31A (Solano Avenue and Springs Road), another sign is posted for Curtola Parkway due to its connection to the trans-San Francisco Bay ferry terminal. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 meets Exit 30B, Georgia Street. Georgia Street heads west into downtown Vallejo, meeting California 29 (Sonoma Boulevard) east of Mare Island. The next exit is Exit 30A, Interstate 780 east to Benicia and the Benicia-Martinez Bridge/Interstate 680 into the Contra Costa County communities of Martinez, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and Danville. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Immediately thereafter, westbound Interstate 80 meets Exit 30A, Interstate 780 east to Benicia (and Interstate 680) and Curtola Parkway west to the ferry terminal. This is a modified cloverleaf interchange. Curtola Parkway travels west from the freeway approximately 1.4 miles to connect with California 29 (Sonoma Boulevard) (Old U.S. 40) and Mare Island Parkway. Solano Avenue links Curtola Parkway with the Baylink Ferry. The Baylink Ferry joins Vallejo with Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Photo taken 07/02/13.
A collector distributor roadway departs Interstate 80 westbound at Exit 30 and the Benicia Road overpass. Exit 30A provides the movements both to Curtola Parkway west and Interstate 780 east. Interstate 780 ends 6.5 miles to the east at the north end of the Benicia-Martinez Bridge (Interstate 680). The first ramp on the collector distributor lane will connect to Curtola Parkway west as shown here. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The Exit 30A collector distributor roadway passes over Interstate 780 at Curtola Parkway. Pictured here is the Curtola Parkway westbound off-ramp and guide sign. The city of Martinez lies ten miles to the southeast via Interstate 680 south. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 29B, Magazine Street, which leads west to meet California 29 and Historic U.S. 40 (Sonoma Boulevard) and east to Laurel Street and Fulton Avenue. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next exit along Interstate 80 west is Exit 29A, Maritime Academy Drive to California 29 (Sonoma Boulevard) north. Exit 29A along westbound is a 90-degree turn-off, with a substandard deceleration lane and minimal guide signs in advance of the exit. California 29 is a major north-south state route that follows Sonoma Boulevard through Vallejo, then proceeds north to American Canyon, Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga, Middletown, Clearlake, and Lakeport before ending at California 20 in Lake County. Use Exit 29A to the California Maritime Academy. This is the last Vallejo/Solano County exit. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Westbound Interstate 80 reaches Exit 29A, Maritime Academy Drive to California 29 (Sonoma Boulevard) north. Oddly, the signs do not mention that this exit connects to California 29. In addition, there is no mention that this is the final exit before the Carquinez Bridge (Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge). Photo taken 07/02/13.
Exit 29A is a 90-degree turn-off, with a substandard deceleration lane and minimal guide signs in advance of the exit. Watch for stopped or slowed traffic. Photo taken 07/02/13.
Traffic from California 29 (Sonoma Boulevard) merge onto westbound Interstate 80. This merge point marks the southern terminus of California 29. Ahead, the Carquinez Bridge (Alfred Zampa Bridge) and Carquinez Straits loom. The next exit is about two miles ahead, at the southern end of the suspension bridge. Photo taken 04/04/04.
This Interstate 80 west reassurance shield is posted along southbound (westbound) Interstate 80 after traffic from California 29 (Sonoma Boulevard) merges onto westbound Interstate 80. Photo taken 04/04/04.
A left exit connects to a parking lot near the northbound bridge toll plaza (there is no toll for southbound/westbound traffic). A U-turn to Interstate 80 east can also be made here, although that movement is not signed. High occupancy vehicles (carpools) begins in the left lane prior to crossing the bridge. Photo taken 07/02/13.
This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 27, Pomona Street to San Pablo Avenue/U.S. 40; Exit 26, Cummings Skyway/To California 4 East; and Exit 24, Willow Avenue. Photos taken 07/02/13 and 11/28/04.
Some very tall towers carry power lines over both the freeway and the Carquinez Straits. The towers and lines are owned by Pacific Gas and Electric. Photo taken 07/02/13.
The next interchange along Interstate 80 west (south) is Exit 27, Pomona Street to San Pablo Avenue. The white sign designating the bridge as the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge was replaced with a green sign by 2013. Photos taken 07/02/13 and 11/28/04.
Westbound Interstate 80 passes by a tall sound wall before curving into the Alfred Zampa Bridge over the Carquinez Straits. This suspension bridge, which was dedicated on November 8, 2003, and opened to traffic on November 11, 2003, is approximately 0.7 mile long and has two towers (heights of 420 feet for north tower and 403 feet for the south tower).1 The older steel cantilever truss bridge is visible to the left (east) of the newer suspension bridge. The 2004 pictures notably show three spans (two steel cantilever truss -- one from 1958 and the other from 1927 -- and one suspension) crossing over the straits, but the 2013 pictures will show only two spans (the 1958 steel cantilever truss and the 2003 suspension bridges). This is because the original 1927 Carquinez bridge could not be retrofitted for earthquake safety without substantial cost. This historic span, which opened to traffic on May 21, 1927 -- and became part of U.S. 40 initially and later Interstate 80 -- was decommissioned from regular use on November 11, 2005 (after briefly serving eastbound traffic while the 1958 span was rehabilitated). The newer suspension bridge was a better alternative as compared to retrofitting the old structure, as the newer structure meets modern Interstate standards and offers a walkway/bikeway on the west side of the bridge. Use Exit 27 to a Vista Point for viewing the bridge and the Carquinez Straits. Photos taken 07/02/13, 04/04/04, and 11/28/04.
As of 2013, the Alfred Zampa Bridge remains the newest suspension bridge to be built in California. The bridge dedicated on November 8, 2003, as part of the newly expanded Carquinez Bridge. These 2004 pictures show the original 1927 span in the center, but this span was demolished in phases by September 4, 2007. The 1958 span is still in use for northbound (eastbound) traffic and has been retrofitted for earthquake protection. Photos taken 04/04/04 and 11/28/04.
The two towers of the new Alfred Zampa Bridge rise over westbound Interstate 80 as it crosses over the Carquinez Straits (delta of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Rivers). The freeway is four lanes wide, and it features a pedestrian/bicycle path on the west side of the bridge. At the time this photo was taken, the left lane and pedestrian/bicycle path were closed, but they had opened by the fall of 2004. At the end of this picture series, westbound Interstate 80 leaves Solano County and enters Contra Costa County. The freeway is still traveling almost due south at this point and will become known as the Eastshore Freeway. Photos taken 04/04/04 and 07/02/13.

Sources:

  1. Bay Area Toll Authority - Carquinez Bridge

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Page Updated July 20, 2013.

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