Former US 99 in Modesto and the 7th Street Bridge

[Max Rockatansky]

I recently visited Modesto with the intent of tracking down the former alignments of US Route 99 through the City.  The initial alignment southbound through Modesto carried it over the Tuolumne River via the 1916 7th Street Bridge.  US 99 was realigned in July of 1933 onto the 9th Street Extension.  US 99 would remain on 9th Street through Modesto until June of 1965 when it was moved to the current freeway.

The 7th Street Bridge is interesting given it has survived significant damage from overweight vehicles.  Presently the 7th Street Bridge has a weight limit of 4 tons and has numerous temporary bracing members which ensure it doesn't collapse.  Present projections have the 7th Street Bridge being replaced and destroyed in 2023 or 2024.  The 7th Street Bridge features a unique design which would require it's entire concrete facade be removed to repair.  At minimum I wanted to document the 7th Street Bridge for role it played in early Legislative Route 4 and US Route 99.  More can be found on the article below regarding US 99 in Modesto and the 7th Street Bridge.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2020/11/former-us-route-99-in-modesto-and-7th.html

[Max Rockatansky]

For reference, below is a map I drew showing the two surface alignments of US 99 in Modesto:

Modesto by Max Rockatansky, on Flickr