Business 80/Capital City Freeway: WX Freeway Rebuild

[andy3175]

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/10/5409547/caltrans-plan-to-rebuild-the-wx.html

Caltrans will close a section of the elevated W-X freeway through central Sacramento in each direction for two months next spring for major repairs.
Highway officials — who call that freeway's bridge section the Camellia City Viaduct — intend to keep some traffic flowing in each direction, though, by switching eastbound traffic onto some westbound lanes for a month, then reversing the switch the following month.

The construction zone will run from 14th to 26th streets, and officials warn that the resulting bottleneck could cause major traffic jams and a ripple effect on freeways for miles.
The W-X, so called because it runs between and parallel to W and X streets, acts as the hub of the region's freeway system, collecting a quarter-million drivers daily from Sacramento's major commute freeways that funnel in from the north, south, east and west.

Project work is expected to start in August. The two major closures are planned for spring 2014.

The $46 million project may be the biggest fix ever on the busy crosstown freeway, which is 45 years old. Officials say inspections show the road surface on the elevated bridge section is cracking from years of traffic and water intrusion, and in need of a complete redo. Highway officials made a point of saying the freeway remains safe for travel.
Caltrans plans to add 4 inches of new road surface made out of concrete reinforced with shreds of steel. Caltrans officials say that will extend the freeway surface lifespan another 20 years.
The work includes widening all shoulders by 2.5 feet to meet modern width standards. Crews also will build new safety barriers on the viaduct's flanks. At the same time, Caltrans intends to reinforce an estimated 144 concrete bridge pillars with steel rods to make them more earthquake resistent.

I found it interesting how the article never mentioned that the WX Freeway is technically designated as Business Loop 80, U.S. 50, and the Capital City Freeway between I-5 and Calif 99. WX is an older name that predates the Capital City Fwy designation. I guess all Sacramento area drivers know this solely as the WX?

Regards,
Andy

[andy3175]

The official Caltrans site on the Business 80 project is here: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/Projects/00073/prjindex.htm

Relevant information quoted from the page follows below:

DESCRIPTION
The Camellia City Viaduct on US 50 lies between the 16th Street ramps on the west end, and the 50/51/99 interchange on the east. Its 2,530 foot-long structures carry six lanes of traffic over city streets, freight, and light rail lines in downtown Sacramento. Built in 1968, they have extensive cracking on the deck and are in need of rehabilitation in order to enhance safety, reduce recurring maintenance costs, and increase the life of the concrete decks. Caltrans repair strategy involves placing a 4-inch concrete deck on top of the existing and treating it with a protective coating of methacrylate, as well as steel column casings for seismic strenghthening.

PROJECT BENEFITS
The service life of the structure decks will be extended to about 20 years, which will significantly reduce maintenance expenditures. The completed project will also provide widening at the shoulders, new joint seals, new concrete barriers and railing, standard lighting, and enhanced safety.

FUNDING BREAKDOWN
Local - n/a
State - $46,205,000
Federal - included in State costs
Estimated Total Project Cost - $46,205,000 (capital and support)

PROJECT SCHEDULE
Environmental Document Completed -- August 2012
Right of Way Acquisition Completed -- n/a
Design Completed -- February 2013
Advertise -- May 2013
Begin Construction -- Summer 2013
Expected Construction -- Fall 2015

PARTNERSHIP
Caltrans, City of Sacramento, County of Sacramento, SACOG

PROJECT CONTACT
Rodney Murphy, Project Manager 530-741-5127 email: rodney-murphy@dot.ca.gov
Dennis Keaton, Public Information Officer (530) 741-4571 email: dennis_keaton@dot.ca.gov

[DTComposer]

Interesting how on the project map they signed the freeway with the concurrences that Caltrans removed from signage years ago - CA-99, and especially CA-16.

[Henry]

I found it interesting how the article never mentioned that the WX Freeway is technically designated as Business Loop 80, U.S. 50, and the Capital City Freeway between I-5 and Calif 99. WX is an older name that predates the Capital City Fwy designation. I guess all Sacramento area drivers know this solely as the WX?

Regards,
Andy

And we can't forget I-305, but that is a secret designation anyway.

[TheStranger]

Interesting how on the project map they signed the freeway with the concurrences that Caltrans removed from signage years ago - CA-99, and especially CA-16.

There's still enough 99 signage in certain spots approaching the WX freeway; I don't think 16 was ever signed on that freeway (though it has always been part of the implied connection).

[J N Winkler]

The contract was advertised just this morning:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/project_ads_addenda/03/03-0F2304/

Some signing work is included and the sign panel detail sheets are pattern-accurate.

[kkt]

Interesting how on the project map they signed the freeway with the concurrences that Caltrans removed from signage years ago - CA-99, and especially CA-16.

And it marks it as I-80, when it's been I-80 business for 30 years now.  Well, US-50 is right. 1 out of 4, Caltrans??

[TheStranger]

Interesting how on the project map they signed the freeway with the concurrences that Caltrans removed from signage years ago - CA-99, and especially CA-16.

And it marks it as I-80, when it's been I-80 business for 30 years now.  Well, US-50 is right. 1 out of 4, Caltrans??

I know of at least several spots - westbound on the WX Freeway at I-5, Fulton Avenue at Auburn Boulevard - where NEW red/white/blue I-80 signs have popped up for what is obviously Business 80.

[TheStranger]

And it marks it as I-80, when it's been I-80 business for 30 years now.  Well, US-50 is right. 1 out of 4, Caltrans??

Just saw a brand new (as of last week) red/white/blue Interstate 80 sign going westbound at the Jefferson Boulevard exit - this had been a button copy Business 80 shield from the very beginning until now.

Wonder how confusing it'll be for travelers to see "I-80 San Francisco" for several miles, then suddenly see an exit for "I-80 Reno" towards the foot of the Yolo Causeway.

---

An interesting aside, but relevant to this: Based on the FHWA map here (via http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/data/page05.cfm), it seems as if I-305 DOES include the section of today's Route 51/former I-80 and US 99E that was built as an Interstate in the early 1960s between US 50 and E Street -

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/data/images/map_ca_sac.gif

[agentsteel53]

The W-X, so called because it runs between and parallel to W and X streets

before I learned this fact, I always thought it was a shortening of "Western Expressway" or the like.

[Rover_0]

And it marks it as I-80, when it's been I-80 business for 30 years now.  Well, US-50 is right. 1 out of 4, Caltrans??

Just saw a brand new (as of last week) red/white/blue Interstate 80 sign going westbound at the Jefferson Boulevard exit - this had been a button copy Business 80 shield from the very beginning until now.

Wonder how confusing it'll be for travelers to see "I-80 San Francisco" for several miles, then suddenly see an exit for "I-80 Reno" towards the foot of the Yolo Causeway.

---

An interesting aside, but relevant to this: Based on the FHWA map here (via http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/data/page05.cfm), it seems as if I-305 DOES include the section of today's Route 51/former I-80 and US 99E that was built as an Interstate in the early 1960s between US 50 and E Street -

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/data/images/map_ca_sac.gif

I've never liked business freeways, personally. Without delving too deep into Fictional Highways territory, I'd just take the plunge and renumber the whole thing I-305, as the designation seems to be creeping further east along Bus I-80 anyways. You lose the extraneous designations (CA-51 and US-50)* and still have a loop for I-80.^

*Of course, that would mean that US-50 loses about 5 or so miles.
^You know, since pretty much all I-x80s are used in California anyways. I-480, maybe?

[TheStranger]

I've never liked business freeways, personally. Without delving too deep into Fictional Highways territory, I'd just take the plunge and renumber the whole thing I-305, as the designation seems to be creeping further east along Bus I-80 anyways. You lose the extraneous designations (CA-51 and US-50)* and still have a loop for I-80.^

*Of course, that would mean that US-50 loses about 5 or so miles.
^You know, since pretty much all I-x80s are used in California anyways. I-480, maybe?

Except that US 50 is not an extraneous designation at all - that is what the WX Freeway and the segment west to West Sacramento has been called by most of the public post-1982.

[Rover_0]

I've never liked business freeways, personally. Without delving too deep into Fictional Highways territory, I'd just take the plunge and renumber the whole thing I-305, as the designation seems to be creeping further east along Bus I-80 anyways. You lose the extraneous designations (CA-51 and US-50)* and still have a loop for I-80.^

*Of course, that would mean that US-50 loses about 5 or so miles.
^You know, since pretty much all I-x80s are used in California anyways. I-480, maybe?

Except that US 50 is not an extraneous designation at all - that is what the WX Freeway and the segment west to West Sacramento has been called by most of the public post-1982.

Oh. Well, then keep the US-50 designation, or reroute it.

[TheStranger]

Oh. Well, then keep the US-50 designation, or reroute it.

I think it's important to mention that 305 has never been signed, nor has it ever been an official California route number.

I've always been fine with the idea of getting rid of Business 80 entirely and signing 51 - which is more of a north-south than east-west route anyway.  In any case, the decision to incorrectly sign US 50/Business 80 west of Route 99 as "Interstate 80" irks me, though I get that via CalTrans logic, the implied-but-unsigned TO usage is in play.

[kkt]

Now that all the National Highway System highways are treated the same, there's no reason to change a familiar US highway number to an unknown interstate number.

[andy3175]

Oh. Well, then keep the US-50 designation, or reroute it.

I think it's important to mention that 305 has never been signed, nor has it ever been an official California route number.

I've always been fine with the idea of getting rid of Business 80 entirely and signing 51 - which is more of a north-south than east-west route anyway.  In any case, the decision to incorrectly sign US 50/Business 80 west of Route 99 as "Interstate 80" irks me, though I get that via CalTrans logic, the implied-but-unsigned TO usage is in play.

I find this to be rather humorous considering that in Los Angeles, Caltrans (District 7) went to great lengths to sign US 101 all the way to the bitter end where it merges into Interstate 5; previously, it had been signed as Interstate 5 along southbound as far north as the Four-Level.

Now Caltrans (District 3) is going the other way by having Business Loop 80 signed as Interstate 80 well before the actual merge point. I prefer the District 7 approach; to me, it's more honest and useful.

Regards,
Andy

[andy3175]

And it marks it as I-80, when it's been I-80 business for 30 years now.  Well, US-50 is right. 1 out of 4, Caltrans??

Just saw a brand new (as of last week) red/white/blue Interstate 80 sign going westbound at the Jefferson Boulevard exit - this had been a button copy Business 80 shield from the very beginning until now.

Wonder how confusing it'll be for travelers to see "I-80 San Francisco" for several miles, then suddenly see an exit for "I-80 Reno" towards the foot of the Yolo Causeway.

---

An interesting aside, but relevant to this: Based on the FHWA map here (via http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/data/page05.cfm), it seems as if I-305 DOES include the section of today's Route 51/former I-80 and US 99E that was built as an Interstate in the early 1960s between US 50 and E Street -

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/highwayhistory/data/images/map_ca_sac.gif

I discovered this a few months ago while reviewing those FHWA cancelled Interstate files, and I updated the Business 80 Sacramento page to reflect this fact. The I-305 designation essentially extends as far northeast as the foot of the American River Bridge (or C Street as depicted on that map, which is just prior to the bridge approach). I'll have to include pictures of the new signs that were recently added on westbound near Jefferson.

https://www.aaroads.com/california/bl-080_ca.html

Regards,
Andy

[TheStranger]

I find this to be rather humorous considering that in Los Angeles, Caltrans (District 7) went to great lengths to sign US 101 all the way to the bitter end where it merges into Interstate 5; previously, it had been signed as Interstate 5 along southbound as far north as the Four-Level.

Now Caltrans (District 3) is going the other way by having Business Loop 80 signed as Interstate 80 well before the actual merge point. I prefer the District 7 approach; to me, it's more honest and useful.

Regards,
Andy

Meanwhile, San Francisco seems to have taken an odd approach, though some of it is construction specific:

- the control city for the still-to-be-rebuilt/reopened ramp from 1 north to 101 south in the Presidio has "Marina Boulevard" as the only control city.  Wonder if this will change as more of the Presidio Parkway upgrades are finished

- Pre-1989 or so, the San Francisco Skyway westbound was signed as 101/80 (I guess reflective of the pre-1968 concurrency on the Central Freeway of both routes).  After that, it had been signed as "US 101 South - San Jose".  Now, while the first few pullthroughs after the Bay Bridge still use that, the ones from about 5th Street onward more accurately identify US 101 South as "Exit 1A" from I-80, though there are still no I-80 pullthroughs on that stretch.

---

With regards to 50 west from 99 to 80...

- I'll have to see if any of the 99 TO 80/TO 5 pullthroughs are still up near 26th Street, ironically, the most accurate ones in the post-1982 signage.

- The red/white/blue Interstate 80 pullthrough at Jefferson replaced what was the last correct green Business 80 pullthrough on the westbound side.  About a couple of years ago, the green Business 80 pullthrough at I-5 was removed and replaced with an I-80 pullthrough.

- Several "TO Interstate 80 (red white blue)" pullthroughs have existed since about 2009-2010 on the stretch of US 50 west of 59th Street.  On the other hand, what had once been a sign along 65th Street to the westbound US 50 ramp, for "US 50/Route 99/Business 80"...now only lists US 50.

---

Minor correction to something on that Business 80 page you posted - the Route 51 section north of Route 160...wasn't that the "North Sacramento Freeway" to the Marconi Curve and the "Roseville Freeway" northeast of there?

[andy3175]

Minor correction to something on that Business 80 page you posted - the Route 51 section north of Route 160...wasn't that the "North Sacramento Freeway" to the Marconi Curve and the "Roseville Freeway" northeast of there?

On the Business 80 page (https://www.aaroads.com/california/bl-080_ca.html), I wrote:

"Prior to the Capital City Freeway designation, Business 80 had a host of names. In addition to the colloquial names listed above (WX, 29/30), the business loop was also known as the West Sacramento Freeway between Interstate 80 west and Interstate 5 and as the Elvas Freeway south of California 160. It was the State Freeway between California 160 and the Interstate 80/California 244 junction."

It might have been called the Roseville Freeway northeast of the Marconi Curve and as the North Sacramento Freeway southwest of there; I didn't encounter those names in my research, but that doesn't mean that those names were not in use. Like I wrote, the route has had quite a few names over time. I can add those two names to the list on the page, no problem.

Here's the revised text:

"Prior to the Capital City Freeway designation, Business 80 had a host of names. One of the most famous rush-hour traffic bottlenecks is a curving section of California 51 around the Marconi exit, known as the "Marconi Curve." The two major viaduct sections near downtown also have names: The "WX" is so named because the freeway overlays the block between W and X Streets (and is known to Caltrans as the Camellia City Viaduct), and the "29/30" is so named because the freeway overlays the block between 29th and 30th Streets. In addition to the colloquial names listed above (WX or Camellia City Viaduct and 29/30 Viaduct), the business loop was also known as the West Sacramento Freeway between Interstate 80 west and Interstate 5, as the North Sacramento Freeway between California 160 and the Marconi Curve, and as the Roseville Freeway between Marconi Curve and Interstate 80 east. The California 51 portion also shows on some maps as the Elvas Freeway south of California 160, and some early maps call it the State Freeway between California 160 and the Interstate 80/California 244 junction."

Regards,
Andy

[TheStranger]

I can add those two names to the list on the page, no problem.

Thanks, Andy!

It seems to me that of all the pre-1996 names those stretches of freeway had, only the "WX Freeway" moniker has remained in common usage, probably because of its key downtown location, and secondarily due to its importance funneling three major different routes - US 50, Business 80, and Route 99).  I would say that "50" is the much more usual reference for that freeway though, aided by the through-lane setup at the Oak Park interchange with 99 and unsigned 51.

[Indyroads]

I remember long ago that there were plans to extend HOV lanes down US 50 from Sunrise Blvd to near 16th Street on the WX freeway. I wonder what happened to those plans.

[TheStranger]

I remember long ago that there were plans to extend HOV lanes down US 50 from Sunrise Blvd to near 16th Street on the WX freeway. I wonder what happened to those plans.

The HOV lanes right now extend to Watt Avenue.  There was some repaving/shoulder work over the last few years west of there, but no new lanes added yet beyond that point.

[myosh_tino]

I remember long ago that there were plans to extend HOV lanes down US 50 from Sunrise Blvd to near 16th Street on the WX freeway. I wonder what happened to those plans.

Those plans are still there.  According to the Caltrans District 3 website, the project will add HOV lanes from Watt to the CA-99/BL-80/US 50 interchange and is partially funded ($11M of a needed $68M) with construction slated to begin in 2017 and complete in 2019.

Project Website... http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/Projects/00216/prjindex.htm

[Indyroads]

I remember long ago that there were plans to extend HOV lanes down US 50 from Sunrise Blvd to near 16th Street on the WX freeway. I wonder what happened to those plans.

Those plans are still there.  According to the Caltrans District 3 website, the project will add HOV lanes from Watt to the CA-99/BL-80/US 50 interchange and is partially funded ($11M of a needed $68M) with construction slated to begin in 2017 and complete in 2019.

Project Website... http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist3/Projects/00216/prjindex.htm

My hope is that they will add an HOV lane to the freeway,  instead of taking an existing mixed use lane and turning it into a HOV lane like they did along I-80 near Vallejo. additionally HOV lanes could also be set to be operational 24 hours a day like they are in southern California. Also i wonder if it would be prudent to stripe off the HOV lane and limit access to the lane at specific points as in many metro areas including LA, ATL, MIA, etc

[TheStranger]

additionally HOV lanes could also be set to be operational 24 hours a day like they are in southern California.

There are no examples of that in NorCal - not enough evening traffic to justify 24-hour HOV.

Most HOV lanes I can think of in Northern California follow commute hours (something like 6-10 AM and 3-7 PM), with the notable exception of the 101 HOV lanes north of the Golden Gate Bridge (southbound is morning only, northbound is evening only).