Why is California state route 14U signed in Santa Clarita?

[ACSCmapcollector]

Now here is a great oddity for you, why is California state route 14U signed or unrelilinquished as of now? 

[cahwyguy]

Your question doesn't parse. 14U, which I think is only signed on postmiles, I believe on Sierra Highway (the former Route 14) is simply unrelinquished miles. Why is it signed? Probably so it can be found for maintenance. That's the purpose of postmiles. Why is it unrelinquished? Because Caltrans probably can't get the containing government entity (county or city of Santa Clarita) to accept it without some improvement Caltrans doesn't have the funds for, compared to the maintenance cost.

[TheStranger]

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=10601.msg297706#msg297706 Mike Ballard notes there it was signed in 2014.

http://www.floodgap.com/roadgap/mass/#14u shows some photos of it from 2005, signed.

In many ways this resembles the former portions of US 66 near Pasadena that were post-1964 state routes (Route 159 and Route 248) except that they were not actually signed in the field as far as I know.

[kphoger]

It's signed because it's still a state highway; the designated portion is maintained by the state, not the city.  I'm not sure why it's unrelinquished, considering 14 has been on its current roadway since 1971.

[TheStranger]

It's signed because it's still a state highway

If only that was always the case in California!!!

It does bring up the interesting paradox that Quillz I think mentioned in another thread - very amazing how a state highway that really only exists as a technicality, 14U, is amongst the most well-posted in the state...while actual stretches of state highways that are definitively in the system (Route 18 between Route 138 and I-15 for example, or Route 128 from a few miles west of Winters to the Monticello Dam area) have pretty much none.

[cahwyguy]

Thanks for the correction on the signage, although that picture was in 2005. I haven't been up there recently; the theatre I frequented in the area (REP East in Newhall) has gone dark. I don't show any notes of relinquishments in that area since 2005, other than at Newhall Ave. One would need to check CTC details, or perhaps the District 7 library, to see why it is signed and/or unrelinquished.

[kphoger]

Thanks for the correction on the signage, although that picture was in 2005.

GSV from two months ago

[coatimundi]

Well, the GSV is certainly more current, but I was there at Christmas, and that sign was there. I recall there being one up at the next intersection too (Golden Valley). I probably have a pic, but you could also Google-confirm it. It's certainly a memorable sign, seeing a state route with a letter suffix.

[ACSCmapcollector]

I think it should be relinquished all together, because it doesn't make sense to have it on a section of the Sierra Highway in Santa Clarita, my first homestead is Newhall, CA... when that highway goes all the way up past Mojave unto U.S. 395 and then onto CA 89.

[ACSCmapcollector]

I think it should be relinquished all together, because it doesn't make sense to have it on a section of the Sierra Highway in Santa Clarita, my first homestead is Newhall, CA... when that highway goes all the way up past Mojave unto U.S. 395 and then onto CA 89.

R 14U   3.8   6.1   Newhall Avenue in Santa Clarita   Via Princessa in Santa Clarita   1964   current   Formerly part of US 6 / SR 14

[Exit58]

It's been up for relinquishment for probably 40 years now. Local officials want it upgraded before they take it from Caltrans, Caltrans doesn't want to upgrade it for local officials, it's a vicious cycle. It's not like one of those special circumstances where the city is requesting relinquishment and Caltrans has to vote wether or not it's the state's best interest (like SR 66).

[Avalanchez71]

So can we say that the U can stand for used?

SR 14 USED?

[coatimundi]

So can we say that the U can stand for used?

SR 14 USED?

Well, I would assume "Urban". Kinda like a business route, but not a business route, since California doesn't seem to want to sign those. At least this one gets signs.

[Exit58]

So can we say that the U can stand for used?

SR 14 USED?

No, no, no. This has to do with transportation so it has to be 'Certified Pre-Owned'.

How about SR 14 USELESS?

[Max Rockatansky]

Wasn't there something like this up in Fresno with the old alignment of CA 180 up Fresno?...except it ISN'T signed?  In advance I apologize if it's something that can be looked up in 5 seconds on cahighways.com...just a thought that popped into my head given the topic.

[sdmichael]

I guess I will start posting again. 14U is there because of a maintenance-intensive section of Sierra Highway from Placerita Canyon Road to Golden Valley Road that has been a problem since 1938. As a result, the County doesn't want the roadway, nor does the City of Santa Clarita, so it remains in State hands. I've also posted information and photos on my http://www.socalregion.com/highways/la_highways/sr-14u/ SR-14U page.

[cahwyguy]

Don't worry, Mike. I'll grab the info above for the next update, including the reference, so that folks can find the answer again. (If they bother to look)

[bing101]

Now here is a great oddity for you, why is California state route 14U signed or unrelilinquished as of now? 

CA-14U probably like a Business Route for Interstates like I-80 Beltline Freeway and Bus-80 aka US-50, CA-51 and I-305 Capital City Freeway Sacramento?

[kphoger]

So can we say that the U can stand for used?

SR 14 USED?

Well, I would assume "Urban". Kinda like a business route, but not a business route, since California doesn't seem to want to sign those. At least this one gets signs.

U means Unrelinquished.

[Avalanchez71]

I saw that but thought I would add some humor.

[NE2]

U means Ur not funny.