California SR 905 (Future I-905?) + New California SR 11 (San Diego County)

[M3100]

With cross-border traffic greatly diminished due to Covid-19 related closures, it was an opportunity to clinch some roads near the border with Mexico.
California SR 905 ends at the border; it is designated as an entry point for trucks (though AFAIK cars can use it too). 

As for California SR 11, I call it "New" because I think of SR 11 as an earlier designation for the Harbor Freeway (now I-110) and Arroyo Seco Parkway  (now CA SR 110) in the LA area.

Here are some pics from 6/18/21:
1. The western 'Begin' point of SR 905


2. The Junction with SR 11 and SR 125


3. SR 11 is 'signed'


4. This is the Fermi on ramp to SR 11. Note the Construction sign reference to 905; they won't need to change it if/when it becomes I-905.


5. From Westbound SR 11, one can exit to go north on SR 125, but there is no exit to go 'East" (Compass south) on SR 905.


6. SR 11 has an "End" sign in the merge onto West SR 905.


I found an earlier thread from 2015 stating that the 905/11/125 interchange construction had begun.  Construction is still "in progress" in 2021, and I did not look to see the latest expected completion date.

[sparker]

It's oddly ironic that Caltrans has elected to use both low state highway numbers usurped in the L.A. metro region by Interstates in the 1980's (CA 7 & CA 11, replaced by I-710 & I-110 respectively) for short routes connecting to auxiliary border crossings.  Then again, somewhere down the line those designations stand a reasonable chance of being reiterated as Interstates farther north in the state, so may as well use them for purposes where they won't particularly be missed if and when renumbered.   

[ClassicHasClass]

It's nice to see ENDs popping up again on new construction (what little there is in the state anymore).

[sparker]

It's nice to see ENDs popping up again on new construction (what little there is in the state anymore).

The presence of "END" banners or signage varies from district to district; while D11 (San Diego) regularly places such signage, other districts, such as D4 and D5, rarely do so; those that are still there are usually holdovers from past signage efforts -- or, ironically, on alignments long relinquished (such as the "END CA 82" assembly on EB Blossom Hill Road in San Jose at US 101, which persists despite CA 82 having been cut back to I-880 in the mid-2000's). 

[SeriesE]

905 + 11 should've been 905; the current north-south section of 905 should've been 125.

[TheStranger]

905 + 11 should've been 905; the current north-south section of 905 should've been 125.

From 1972-1986, the portion of 905 between 125 and the border was actually the southernmost segment of 125.  Since the 125 extension south of La Mesa was years away at that point, the transfer of that segment to 905 likely was part of the process to accelerate getting the Otay Mesa border link built.

https://www.cahighways.org/ROUTE125.html

[sparker]

905 + 11 should've been 905; the current north-south section of 905 should've been 125.

From 1972-1986, the portion of 905 between 125 and the border was actually the southernmost segment of 125.  Since the 125 extension south of La Mesa was years away at that point, the transfer of that segment to 905 likely was part of the process to accelerate getting the Otay Mesa border link built.

https://www.cahighways.org/ROUTE125.html

CA 905 was approved as a future Interstate back in 1986 (replacing then-CA 117); the facility as a whole was intended to be the commercial truck crossing facility, with I-5 handling non-commercial vehicles.  At the time the only projected eastern border crossing was along CA 125; one farther east wasn't even on the radar until 905's eastern crossing started getting congested in the early 2000's, and another "relief" crossing and customs facility was deemed necessary -- which became CA 11.  The present numbering scheme reflects the different time periods when the various facilities were originally planned.   Of course Interstate 905 status has yet to be conferred, since not all interchanges have been fully built to date.

[SeriesE]

905 + 11 should've been 905; the current north-south section of 905 should've been 125.

From 1972-1986, the portion of 905 between 125 and the border was actually the southernmost segment of 125.  Since the 125 extension south of La Mesa was years away at that point, the transfer of that segment to 905 likely was part of the process to accelerate getting the Otay Mesa border link built.

https://www.cahighways.org/ROUTE125.html

CA 905 was approved as a future Interstate back in 1986 (replacing then-CA 117); the facility as a whole was intended to be the commercial truck crossing facility, with I-5 handling non-commercial vehicles.  At the time the only projected eastern border crossing was along CA 125; one farther east wasn't even on the radar until 905's eastern crossing started getting congested in the early 2000's, and another "relief" crossing and customs facility was deemed necessary -- which became CA 11.  The present numbering scheme reflects the different time periods when the various facilities were originally planned.   Of course Interstate 905 status has yet to be conferred, since not all interchanges have been fully built to date.

When did the 905/125 interchange became like this?

Had there been enough foresight, that interchange could have a simpler design (like a clover stack)

[sparker]

905 + 11 should've been 905; the current north-south section of 905 should've been 125.

From 1972-1986, the portion of 905 between 125 and the border was actually the southernmost segment of 125.  Since the 125 extension south of La Mesa was years away at that point, the transfer of that segment to 905 likely was part of the process to accelerate getting the Otay Mesa border link built.

https://www.cahighways.org/ROUTE125.html

CA 905 was approved as a future Interstate back in 1986 (replacing then-CA 117); the facility as a whole was intended to be the commercial truck crossing facility, with I-5 handling non-commercial vehicles.  At the time the only projected eastern border crossing was along CA 125; one farther east wasn't even on the radar until 905's eastern crossing started getting congested in the early 2000's, and another "relief" crossing and customs facility was deemed necessary -- which became CA 11.  The present numbering scheme reflects the different time periods when the various facilities were originally planned.   Of course Interstate 905 status has yet to be conferred, since not all interchanges have been fully built to date.

When did the 905/125 interchange became like this?

Had there been enough foresight, that interchange could have a simpler design (like a clover stack)

Part of the issue was the CA 125 toll facility to the north; it was never fiscally viable, and the share of funds the toll authority was to supply toward the 905/11 interchange never materialized; the 125 toll road ended at a signalized intersection with CA 905 until the interchange project was finally let several funding cycles later.  But the original interchange plans were jettisoned when it was decided to prioritize the 905 to 11 movements for commercial/border expedition, so the interchange was reconfigured accordingly. 

[The Ghostbuster]

CA 905 should have become Interstate 905 by now (just like CA 15 and CA 210 should have become Interstate 15 and Interstate 210 by now). Sadly, it seems 210 and 905 will always be state highways (I have faith that CA 15 will become Interstate 15 at some point).

[sparker]

CA 905 should have become Interstate 905 by now (just like CA 15 and CA 210 should have become Interstate 15 and Interstate 210 by now). Sadly, it seems 210 and 905 will always be state highways (I have faith that CA 15 will become Interstate 15 at some point).

This interchange should just about do it; the remainder has been at Interstate level since about 2014.  Now if Caltrans can get off their collective asses and request the designation, it'll be done.  Apparently I-210 is awaiting shoulder/bridge widening in and around San Bernardino prior to any similar request being submitted; as for I-15 over present CA 15, the issue of left-hand exits/entrances is not on 15 itself but on CA 94 at that interchange; why that has yet to be resolved is something of a mystery.  Technically, it could be signed as I-15 north of I-805 in any case; that section was raised to appropriate standards circa 1998. 

[ClassicHasClass]

For I-15, though, I think an argument can be made for a 2di not ending at a 3di.

[sparker]

For I-15, though, I think an argument can be made for a 2di not ending at a 3di.

Such a "terminus" would be on a temporary basis until the remainder of CA 15 south of there is resolved.  In the meantime, it would be nice to see I-15 rather than CA 15 as the northbound exit from I-805.  Southbound, the remainder could be CA 15 as currently signed; it's doubtful that D11 would put "END I-15" signage at the 805 interchange just to have the facility continue as CA 15.  Northbound, the CA 15> I-15 segue should be seamless.