Interstate 580 West - Alameda County #1


Interstate 580 begins to ascend the Altamont Pass between Tracy and Livermore. A sprawling wind farm, complete with wind turbines, lines the ridges and foothills on the east side of the pass. Photo taken 11/25/10.

Interstate 580/William Elton Brown Freeway west
On the main lanes, westbound Interstate 580 prepares to merge with Interstate 205 (Exit 65 - no access to eastbound Interstate 205). Between here and Interstate 238, Interstate 580 heads due west. After the merge, the William Elton "Brownie" Brown Freeway will shift directly onto the Arthur H. Breed, Jr. Freeway. Photos taken 11/25/10.
Interstate 580 west and Interstate 205 west merge together, with Interstate 580 merging into Interstate 205 from the right. Now Interstate 580 will begin its gradual climb to Altamont Pass. At this point, Interstate 580 passes under the Path 15 power lines, which carry two circuits of 500kV power from north to south in the state of California. Photos taken 11/25/10.
Over on the local ("bypass") lanes, two lanes of Interstate 580 prepare to merge onto Interstate 205 from the right. This picture was taken when the "bypass" lanes were the main lanes, but they now serve as the "bypass" lanes and function as an auxiliary configuration for trucks, trailers, and motorists planning to depart the freeway at Exit 63. Photos taken 11/24/11 and 06/28/06.
The truck bypass narrows from two lanes to one lane as we prepare to merge with Interstate 205 from the right. Prior to the construction of the main lanes, the truck bypass previously served as the main lanes. The objective is to allow trucks and slow moving vehicles an easy passage through the Interstate 580 and Interstate 205 merge. The 2006 picture shows the original configuration. Photos taken 11/24/11 and 06/28/06.
The Interstate 580 Truck Bypass merges with the main lanes of Interstate 205 and Interstate 580 west. Photo taken 11/24/11.
Interstate 580/Arthur H. Breed, Jr. Freeway west
Now fully merged with Interstate 205, the next exit along Interstate 580 west is Exit 63, Grant Line Road to Byron (one mile). This exit connects to Altamont Pass Road, which parallels the freeway to the north as Historic U.S. 50. Grant Line Road connects to Mountain House Road, which travels north toward Byron. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The two Path 15 500kV power lines, which have paralleled Interstate 5 through the Central Valley and also Interstate 580 through San Joaquin County, now cross Interstate 580 as they head north toward the California Delta. Photo taken 11/25/10.
As we pass under Path 15, an Interstate 580 west route marker is posted a short distance further ahead. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The next exit along Interstate 580 west is Exit 63, Grant Line Road to Byron and Historic U.S. 50/Altamont Pass Road (0.50 mile). A planned freeway, California 239, would originate near here and travel northwest to meet an extended California 84 to provide a link to Byron and Brentwood, but neither route has been constructed. It is unclear when, if ever, such a state highway would be built. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/25/04.
Westbound Interstate 580 meets Exit 63, Byron/Grant Line Road. From here, Interstate 580 climbs from the floor of the Central Valley to Altamont Pass. Photos taken 11/24/11 and 11/25/04.
Altamont Pass comes into view as we clear the off-ramp to Exit 63. Interstate 580 has at least five westbound lanes for the climb up. Wind turbines line the ridges on both sides of the freeway as we begin our ascent. Photos taken 11/25/10.
As we pass through the Grant Line Road interchange, a mileage sign along Interstate 580 west provides the distance to Livermore (11 miles) and Oakland (43 miles). Photo taken 11/25/10.
Still more Pacific Gas & Electric power lines cross over Interstate 580 near the on-ramp from Grant Line Road. Photos taken 11/25/10.
An Interstate 580 west reassurance shield is located after the on-ramp from Grant Line Road. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Five lanes carry Interstate 580 west to ascend the Altamont Pass. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The last rays of sun crest over the Altamont Pass as Interstate 580/Arthur Breed, Jr. Freeway proceeds west toward Livermore and the San Ramon Valley. Photos taken 07/15/09 and 06/28/06.
Giant wind turbines, which constantly generate electricity, dominate the grass-covered hills of Altamont Pass. The turbines take advantage of frequent windy days on top of these hills. Power lines dot the landscape in between the turbines, carrying electricity generated by the turbines to the state's electrical grid. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 06/28/06.
We continue uphill toward Altamont Pass. At the top of the pass is an interchange; after the exit ramp, Interstate 580 will trend downhill into Livermore. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 06/28/06.
The next exit along Interstate 580 west is Exit 59, North Flynn Road. Photo taken 11/25/10.
This mileage sign along Interstate 580 west provides the distance to Oakland, San Jose (via Interstate 680 south), and San Francisco (via Interstate 80 west). Omitted is San Rafael, the western terminus of Interstate 580. Photo taken 11/24/11.
A brake check area is located at the North Flynn Road interchange. Trucks may wish to depart the freeway here to test their brakes before descending into Livermore Valley. Photo taken 11/24/11.
Westbound Interstate 580 meets Exit 59, North Flynn Road. This is the height of the Altamont Pass. The windmills on the horizon generate wind-powered electricity. Photo taken 11/24/11.
The highest point along Interstate 580 is Altamont Pass, elevation 1,009 feet. The freeway reaches this height at the North Flynn Road interchange; afterward, Interstate 580 descends into Livermore. Photos taken 11/24/11 and 06/28/06.
This reassurance shield for Interstate 580 west is posted after Exit 59, North Flynn Road. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The next exit along Interstate 580 west is Exit 57, North Greenville Road/Altamont Pass Road/Laughlin Road/Historic U.S. 50 east, one mile. Photo taken 11/25/04.
Interstate 580 proceeds west and descends into the Livermore Valley. The cities of Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton spread on the valley floor. Interstate 580 enters the Tri-Valley, which encompasses the cities of Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, and San Ramon; the town of Danville; and unincorporated Sunol, Blackhawk, and Tassajara. The Tri-Valley gets its name from the three valleys that converge in the area: Amador Valley, Livermore Valley, and San Ramon Valley. Its centerpiece is the Interstate 580-680 interchange. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Use Exit 57 to the Lawrence Livermore Lab. Photo taken 11/24/11.
Interstate 580 enters the city of Livermore. Founded in 1869 (incorporated on April 15, 1876), Livermore is home to 80,723 people as of the 2000 Census and encompasses 23.9 square miles. Surrounding Livermore are multiple wineries, which dominate the landscape especially south of the city. A major employment center that has national research significance -- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory -- is located in Livermore. The next five exits all serve the city of Livermore. Photo taken 11/24/11.
The next six exits along Interstate 580 west serve Livermore: Exit 57, North Greenville Road and Altamont Pass Road; Exit 55, Vasco Road; Exit 54, First Street and Springtown Boulevard; Exit 52, North Livermore Avenue Alameda County Route J-2; Exit 51, California 84/Isabel Avenue and Portola Avenue; and Exit 50, Airway Boulevard (former Temporary California 84). Photo taken 11/25/04.
Westbound Interstate 580 reaches Exit 57, North Greenville Road, Historic U.S. 50/Altamont Pass Road, and Laughlin Road. From here west to San Leandro, Interstate 580 follows the general alignment of Historic U.S. 50 (and Historic U.S. 48 before that). Photo taken 11/24/11.
Upon departing the freeway at Exit 57, the off-ramp terminates at Altamont Pass Road. Turn left (west) for Laughlin Road north or right (east) for North Greenville Road south. Photo taken 11/24/11.
The next exit along westbound Interstate 580 is Exit 56, Weigh Station (0.75 mile). Photo taken 07/15/09.
An Interstate 580 west reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from Historic U.S. 50/Altamont Pass Road. Photo taken 07/15/09.
After the weigh station, the following exit is Exit 55, Vasco Road north to Brentwood and south to Ulmar/west Livermore. Photo taken 07/03/04.
Westbound Interstate 580 meets Exit 56, Weigh Station. Photo taken 07/15/09.
And shortly thereafter, westbound Interstate 580 meets Exit 55, Vasco Road north to Brentwood and south to Ulmar and west Livermore. These light green sign bridges are common along Interstate 580 between Tracy and Dublin. Photo taken 11/24/11.
Passing under the Vasco Road bridge, the next exit along Interstate 580 west is Exit 54, First Street and Springtown Boulevard. Until around 2003, this interchange was the eastern terminus of the western segment of California 84. Due to the demands of traffic that uses westbound California 84 (Vallecitos Road) as a short-cut between Livermore and southbound Interstate 680 near Sunol, the state highway was relocated to the Airway Boulevard interchange (Exit 50) in 2003. Plans call for these two segments of California 84 to be connected (one such proposal was the Mid-State Tollway, which was stopped in 2001), but there is no timetable for constructing such a roadway. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/28/02.
Westbound Interstate 580 meets Exit 54, First Street (former California 84 west) and Springtown Boulevard. (Springtown is a community within the city of Livermore that is located north of the freeway.) A soundwall was erected on the approach to this off-ramp by 2009. Photos taken 11/24/11, 07/03/04, and 11/28/02.
Looking at the off-ramp to Exit 54, the ramp splits with a right exit to Springtown Boulevard and a left exit to First Street. Photo taken 11/24/11.
The next three exits along westbound are Exit 52, North Livermore Avenue (south to Alameda County Route J-2/Tesla Road eastbound via Corral Hollow); Exit 51, California 84/Isabel Avenue and Portola Avenue; Exit 50, Airway Boulevard west; and Exit 48, Fallon Road and El Charro Road. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Another Interstate 580 west reassurance shield is posted after the on-ramp from First Street and Springtown Boulevard. Photo taken 11/25/10.
A one-mile advance sign is posted for Exit 52, North Livermore Avenue (south to Alameda County Route J-2/Tesla Road eastbound via Corral Hollow) on westbound Interstate 580/Breed Freeway. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Westbound Interstate 580 reaches Exit 52, North Livermore Avenue south to Junction Alameda County Route J-2/Tesla Road southeast. Use this exit to downtown Livermore. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The next four exits along westbound are Exit 51, California 84/Isabel Avenue and Portola Avenue; Exit 50, Airway Boulevard; Exit 48, Fallon Road/El Charro Road; and Exit 47, Santa Rita Road/Tassajara Road. This sign was replaced between 2010 and 2011 with the opening of new Exit 51. Photos taken 11/24/11 and 11/25/10.
After traffic from North Livermore Avenue merges onto Interstate 580, this reassurance shield is posted. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The next exit along Interstate 580/Breed Freeway west is Exit 51, California 84/Isabel Avenue west (one mile). From this interchange, California 84 extends southwest, skirting between Livermore and Pleasanton via Vallecitos Road to Interstate 680 at Sunol, then onward west via Niles Canyon Road into Fremont, where it meets California 238 and Interstate 880 (Nimitz Freeway). This guide sign is mounted on the new Portola Avenue bridge. The direct ramp from Portola Avenue to Interstate 580 west (seen in the background) will be removed. Photo taken 11/25/10.
This guide sign for Exit 50, California 84/Airway Boulevard (one mile) was removed when the Isabel Avenue interchange was constructed and opened to traffic. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Another Interstate 580 west shield is posted after the point where Portola Avenue (Alameda County Route J-2) used to join the freeway. Photo taken 11/24/11.
Westbound Interstate 580/Breed Freeway reaches Exit 51, California 84/Isabel Avenue southwest and Isabel Avenue north to Portola Avenue (J-2). Photo taken 11/24/11.
These two pictures follow Interstate 580 west as the freeway passes through the new Isabel Avenue (California 84) interchange in Livermore. To J-2, turn north on Isabel Avenue. Photos taken 11/24/11.
An Interstate 580 west shield is posted in the shadow of the Isabel Avenue overpass. Photo taken 11/24/11.
Use Exit 50 to Doolan Road and Las Positas College. Photos taken 11/24/11 and 11/25/04.
California 84 is a state highway with two segments: a western and a northern segment. We approach the western segment here. The western California 84 begins at California 1 (Cabrillo Highway) along the coast and extends east to this interchange between Interstate 580 and Exit 50, Airway Boulevard and Collier Canyon Road. California 84 has a northern segment, which is a north-south highway that begins at California 12 in Rio Vista and continues north to end at Interstate 80 in West Sacramento via River Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard. This exit serves the Livermore Regional Airport, which is located just south of Interstate 580. Photos taken 11/24/11, 11/25/10, and 11/28/02.
Westbound Interstate 580 reaches Exit 50, California 84 West/Airway Boulevard to Collier Canyon Road north. The next exit is Exit 48, Fallon Road; there is a bit of open space between Livermore and Dublin/Pleasanton. Photos taken 11/24/11, 11/25/10, and 11/28/02.
The next three exits along Interstate 580/Arthur H. Breed, Jr. Freeway west are Exit 48, Fallon Road/El Charro Road; Exit 47, Santa Rita Road/Tassajara Road; and Exit 46, Hacienda Drive. Photo taken 11/25/10.
An Interstate 580 west reassurance shield is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The next exit along Interstate 580 west is Exit 48, Fallon Road north and El Charro Road south (one mile). Photo taken 11/25/10.
Use Exit 48 to Croak Road, a narrow, one-lane ranch access road that leads north from the freeway into rural Dublin. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The next five exits from Interstate 580 serve the city of Dublin, which is home to approximately 45,000 people per state estimates in 2007 and was incorporated in February 1982. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The right two lanes connect Interstate 580 west to Exit 48, Fallon Road north and El Charro Road south. This sign was added when the additional auxiliary lane was built. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Westbound Interstate 580/Breed Freeway meets Exit 48 to Fallon Road, El Charro Road, and Croak Road. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The next exit along westbound Interstate 580 is Exit 47, Santa Rita Road and Tassajara Road (one mile). This sign was replaced by 2010. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/25/04.
While the city of Dublin lies entirely north of Interstate 580/Breed Freeway, the city of Pleasanton lies entirely south of Interstate 580. The freeway serves as the city limits between the two. Exit 47 is the first interchange to serve the city of Pleasanton. Incorporated in 1894, Pleasanton has 63,654 people as of 2000 Census and is located at the crossroads of Interstate 680 and Interstate 580. It is also the headquarters of Safeway, the grocery store chain. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/25/04.
Use Exit 47 to Tassajara Road north to Blackhawk and Danville. This is a back route to those areas while avoiding Interstate 680. The freeway was widened to include an auxiliary lane, and the overhead sign was added as a result. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/25/04.
An exit number sign was added for the sheriff's department and hospital via Exit 47. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The next three exits along westbound Interstate 580 are: Exit 47, Santa Rita Road and Tassajara Road; Exit 46, Hacienda Drive and Dublin Boulevard; and Exit 45, Hopyard Road. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The next four exits serve the city of Pleasanton: Exit 47, Santa Rita Road and Tassajara Road; Exit 46, Hacienda Drive and Dublin Boulevard; Exit 45, Hopyard Road; and Exit 44B, Interstate 680 south. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The two right lanes connect to Exit 47, Santa Rita Road and Tassajara Road, with the right lane becoming exit only. Tassajara Road leads north from Interstate 580 into Dublin, then continues north to Tassajara before turning west into Blackhawk and ultimately Danville as Sycamore Valley Road. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Westbound Interstate 580 meets Exit 47, Santa Rita Road and Tassajara Road. This interchange is the first of several to serve both the cities of Pleasanton and Dublin. Santa Rita Road travels south into Pleasanton, connecting with Interstate 680 south of town. Photo taken 11/25/10.
This interchange sequence sign along westbound Interstate 580 provides the distance to the next three interchanges: Exit 46, Hacienda Drive and Dublin Boulevard; Exit 45, Hopyard Road; and Exit 44B, Interstate 680 north to Walnut Creek/Concord and south to San Jose. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The right lane of westbound Interstate 580/Breed Freeway becomes exit only for Exit 46, Hacienda Drive and Dublin Boulevard. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Westbound Interstate 580 reaches Exit 46, Hacienda Drive and Dublin Boulevard. A huge shopping complex featuring many large retailers and a movie theater is located at this exit. In the median, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) will begin its journey from Dublin west and then northwest to Oakland and San Francisco. The BART will follow the median of the Interstate 580 freeway starting from the Hacienda Drive overpass. Photo taken 11/25/10.
This mileage sign is found along Interstate 580 west as the freeway approaches Exit 45, Hopyard Road, three-quarters of a mile. The Dublin BART station is the eastern terminus of the BART in the East Bay, but an extension east to Livermore is under consideration. Photo taken 11/25/10.
As of November 2010, the only exit number sign for Exit 45 was this roadside guide sign for Diablo Valley College. Photo taken 11/25/10.
This Interstate 580 west reassurance marker is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The right lane of Interstate 580 west becomes exit only for Exit 45. The city limits between Dublin and Pleasanton are generally defined by the Interstate 580 freeway corridor, and so many exits through this area have two names: one for the Dublin city street and the other for the Pleasanton city street. Hopyard Road travels south to Pleasanton, while Dougherty Road travels north to Dublin. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Use Dougherty Road travels north to the Dublin Civic Center. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Trucks are restricted on Hopyard Road. Use this exit to the BART station. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Westbound Interstate 580 reaches Exit 45, Hopyard Road south and Dougherty Road north. Photo taken 11/25/10.
The next exit along westbound Interstate 580 is Exit 44B, Interstate 680, three-quarters of a mile. This major north-south freeway corridor travels south to San Jose and north to Walnut Creek and Concord. The control city for northbound is Sacramento, since Interstate 680 merges onto Interstate 80 east near Fairfield. Photos taken 11/25/10 and 11/25/04.
This particular interchange (with Interstate 680) was originally a cloverleaf, which resulted in frequent delays and traffic back-ups. Ramp reconfigurations have made the interchange function better, including a recent installation of a flyover ramp from Interstate 680 south to Interstate 580 east. However, traffic delays are somewhat common during commuting hours. Photo taken 11/25/10.
Westbound Interstate 580/Arthur Breed, Jr. Freeway meets Exit 44B, Interstate 680. The new flyover ramp from southbound Interstate 680 to eastbound Interstate 580 is visible at the top of the interchange stack. The next exit is Exit 44A, San Ramon Road/Foothill Road (Former California 21). Photo taken 11/25/10.
This transition ramp connects Interstate 580 west onto Interstate 680 north. Northbound Interstate 680 is signed for Sacramento, but it passes through San Ramon, Danville, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, and Benicia en route to meeting Interstate 80. Southbound Interstate 680 leads to the South Bay communities of Fremont and Milpitas before culminating its journey in San Jose. Photo taken 11/25/04.
Trailblazer signage for northbound Interstate 680 as seen on the transition from westbound Interstate 580 onto northbound Interstate 680. Photo taken 11/28/02.
After the connecting ramp to Interstate 680 north, the collector distributor lane next splits, with the right lane linking to Interstate 680 south to San Jose and the left lane returning to Interstate 580 west. Photo taken 11/24/11.
After the Interstate 680 interchange, an Interstate 580 west reassurance shield is posted (prior to Exit 44A/San Ramon Road-Foothill Road interchange). Photo taken 11/26/04.
The next exit along Interstate 580/Arthur H. Breed, Jr. Freeway is Exit 44A, San Ramon Road north into Dublin and Foothill Boulevard south to Pleasanton. Use Foothill Boulevard south to Stoneridge Mall. This interchange is a modified cloverleaf, so through traffic may pass through Exit 44A without exiting the freeway. The first ramp connects to San Ramon Road north, and the second ramp connects to Foothill Boulevard south. This sign was replaced by 2011. Photos taken 11/24/11 and 11/26/04.
Upon departing the freeway at Exit 44A, turn right for San Ramon Road north into Dublin or turn left for Foothill Boulevard south to Pleasanton. Photos taken 11/24/11.
After the San Ramon Road/Foothill Road interchange, westbound Interstate 580 climbs out of the San Ramon Valley and enters Dublin Canyon. The next three exits along westbound are: Exit 39, Eden Canyon Road; Exit 37, Castro Valley Boulevard; and Exit 35, Strobridge Avenue. Photo taken 11/26/04.
The next exit along westbound Interstate 580/Breed Freeway is Exit 39, Eden Canyon Road. Use this exit to Eden Canyon Road into Eden Canyon and Palomares Road south California 84 in Niles Canyon. In addition, this exit provides access to Dublin Canyon Road, which parallels Interstate 580 on the south side of the freeway and follows the old U.S. 50 alignment through Dublin Canyon. Photo taken 11/26/04.
Westbound Interstate 580 reaches Exit 39, Eden Canyon Road and Palomares Road to Dublin Canyon Road. Photo taken 11/26/04.


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Page Updated November 30, 2011.

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