California

[Max Rockatansky]

Can't recall the last time I encountered a serious traffic jam in Fresno.  The city and Central Valley is one of the few places experiencing actual growth.  Thus far the infrastructure has been able to keep up and develop. 

There is a CA HSR topic on the mass transit board. 

[Plutonic Panda]

Last I had heard people weren't leaving California like the media has been reporting but rather moving further away from the cities.

Traffic still doesn't seem as as it was before COVID.

[Max Rockatansky]

The 2023 population estimate is down about 500k to the 2020 census.  Most of that negative growth is in the two largest metro areas.  A lot of it is being evened out by growth elsewhere in-state.

[RZF]

I was wondering how so many people are supposedly leaving ca and traffic seems to be getting worse? It took us an hour to get halfway across Fresno last Wednesday. I also noticed that McKinley ave on and off-ramp was closed recently in Fresno to be slightly moved for the high speed rail. I am a fan of the high speed rail however let's be real they've been working on it for 20 years it seems why even bother it's never gonna get done in my opinion. It's because the high speed rail will eliminate the need for Amtrak which is run by the government what are your thoughts on the high speed rail.

Los Angeles traffic felt relatively light today for a Sunday. I got some moderate slowing in places I'd normally get stop-and-go traffic (I-5 S between CA 134 and CA 2, US 101 near I-405). Most likely it was the scorching 110F temperatures.

[Scott5114]

Posts about the CA high speed rail project have been moved to the Los Angeles-San Francisco HSR thread.

[roadman65]

Speaking of non Los Angeles rail projects I thought I would share this lovely road photo on US 101 in Humboldt County near Benbow.

[kkt]

Speaking of non Los Angeles rail projects I thought I would share this lovely road photo on US 101 in Humboldt County near Benbow.

No, Fritz, it does not need to be an interstate.

[roadman65]

US 101 is a model highway as it's non interstate route is built for long haul travel and even with its at grades, it's still signal less.

US 31 in Indiana don't need complete freeway either. Just follow the one oh one.😁

[kkt]

US 101 is a model highway as it's non interstate route is built for long haul travel and even with its at grades, it's still signal less.

Signalless?  Pretty sure 101 has signals through Eureka, and San Francisco.  Probably some others too. Maybe you just mean less than some other routes?

[gonealookin]

(photo clipped)
Speaking of non Los Angeles rail projects I thought I would share this lovely road photo on US 101 in Humboldt County near Benbow.

I'm thinking the photo was taken on the "Avenue of the Giants", SR 254.  The modern US 101 doesn't have any stretches quite that narrow.

"Max R." linked to his Gribblenation post with the history of SR 254 and photos here.  It looks like US 101 was moved off the road shown in your photo onto the upgraded highway in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

[roadman65]

US 101 is a model highway as it's non interstate route is built for long haul travel and even with its at grades, it's still signal less.

Signalless?  Pretty sure 101 has signals through Eureka, and San Francisco.  Probably some others too. Maybe you just mean less than some other routes?

Compare it to overall mileage. There isn't much to slow you down and the break at both Eureka and Crescent City are welcome as it gives motorists a place to take on services.

The last sentence is exactly what I mean in your post

(photo clipped)
Speaking of non Los Angeles rail projects I thought I would share this lovely road photo on US 101 in Humboldt County near Benbow.

I'm thinking the photo was taken on the "Avenue of the Giants", SR 254.  The modern US 101 doesn't have any stretches quite that narrow.

"Max R." linked to his Gribblenation post with the history of SR 254 and photos here.  It looks like US 101 was moved off the road shown in your photo onto the upgraded highway in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

.
Nope it's south of Benbow on the 4 mile two lane stretch.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UsxmhZETK56V6WMy9
Can't find the exact locale, but look in GSV here and you will see it resembles Ave of the Giants.

Edit: This is it.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fL1ZuSr48pm7X2uX7
. AARoads photo in Richardson State Park.

[gonealookin]

(photo clipped)
Speaking of non Los Angeles rail projects I thought I would share this lovely road photo on US 101 in Humboldt County near Benbow.

I'm thinking the photo was taken on the "Avenue of the Giants", SR 254.  The modern US 101 doesn't have any stretches quite that narrow.

"Max R." linked to his Gribblenation post with the history of SR 254 and photos here.  It looks like US 101 was moved off the road shown in your photo onto the upgraded highway in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

.
Nope it's south of Benbow on the 4 mile two lane stretch.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UsxmhZETK56V6WMy9
Can't find the exact locale, but look in GSV here and you will see it resembles Ave of the Giants.

Edit: This is it.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fL1ZuSr48pm7X2uX7

I think you are right; there's that short stretch that goes through Richardson Grove State Park.  I should remember that because I got a speeding ticket around there years ago when I didn't slow down fast enough at the end of the higher speed limit part of US 101.  It's been at least 20 years since I've been on that road; the picture in my mind isn't always the right one.

[roadman65]

(photo clipped)
Speaking of non Los Angeles rail projects I thought I would share this lovely road photo on US 101 in Humboldt County near Benbow.

I'm thinking the photo was taken on the "Avenue of the Giants", SR 254.  The modern US 101 doesn't have any stretches quite that narrow.

"Max R." linked to his Gribblenation post with the history of SR 254 and photos here.  It looks like US 101 was moved off the road shown in your photo onto the upgraded highway in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

.
Nope it's south of Benbow on the 4 mile two lane stretch.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UsxmhZETK56V6WMy9
Can't find the exact locale, but look in GSV here and you will see it resembles Ave of the Giants.

Edit: This is it.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fL1ZuSr48pm7X2uX7

I think you are right; there's that short stretch that goes through Richardson Grove State Park.  I should remember that because I got a speeding ticket around there years ago when I didn't slow down fast enough at the end of the higher speed limit part of US 101.  It's been at least 20 years since I've been on that road; the picture in my mind isn't always the right one.

I had no idea I drove through this until going through my photos.

This is is probably the next part of US 101 that will be bypassed as it limits trucks which are essential to commerce.

[Max Rockatansky]

(photo clipped)
Speaking of non Los Angeles rail projects I thought I would share this lovely road photo on US 101 in Humboldt County near Benbow.

I'm thinking the photo was taken on the "Avenue of the Giants", SR 254.  The modern US 101 doesn't have any stretches quite that narrow.

"Max R." linked to his Gribblenation post with the history of SR 254 and photos here.  It looks like US 101 was moved off the road shown in your photo onto the upgraded highway in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

.
Nope it's south of Benbow on the 4 mile two lane stretch.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UsxmhZETK56V6WMy9
Can't find the exact locale, but look in GSV here and you will see it resembles Ave of the Giants.

Edit: This is it.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fL1ZuSr48pm7X2uX7

I think you are right; there's that short stretch that goes through Richardson Grove State Park.  I should remember that because I got a speeding ticket around there years ago when I didn't slow down fast enough at the end of the higher speed limit part of US 101.  It's been at least 20 years since I've been on that road; the picture in my mind isn't always the right one.

I had no idea I drove through this until going through my photos.

This is is probably the next part of US 101 that will be bypassed as it limits trucks which are essential to commerce.

It won't, even widening the current lanes might not happen.

[kkt]

(photo clipped)
Speaking of non Los Angeles rail projects I thought I would share this lovely road photo on US 101 in Humboldt County near Benbow.

I'm thinking the photo was taken on the "Avenue of the Giants", SR 254.  The modern US 101 doesn't have any stretches quite that narrow.

"Max R." linked to his Gribblenation post with the history of SR 254 and photos here.  It looks like US 101 was moved off the road shown in your photo onto the upgraded highway in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

.
Nope it's south of Benbow on the 4 mile two lane stretch.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UsxmhZETK56V6WMy9
Can't find the exact locale, but look in GSV here and you will see it resembles Ave of the Giants.

Edit: This is it.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fL1ZuSr48pm7X2uX7

I think you are right; there's that short stretch that goes through Richardson Grove State Park.  I should remember that because I got a speeding ticket around there years ago when I didn't slow down fast enough at the end of the higher speed limit part of US 101.  It's been at least 20 years since I've been on that road; the picture in my mind isn't always the right one.

I had no idea I drove through this until going through my photos.

This is is probably the next part of US 101 that will be bypassed as it limits trucks which are essential to commerce.

Widening the narrow part through Richardson grove is evidently not "essential" as they have been getting along without it so far.

[FredAkbar]

US 101 is a model highway as it's non interstate route is built for long haul travel and even with its at grades, it's still signal less.

There was a signal in Willits before the Willits bypass was made. It feels to me very recent, because I used to do that drive a lot when I was in college and the years following (late 2000s / early 2010s) so I'm more used to driving through Willits than using the bypass. I guess it's been about 8 years now; it opened in 2016.

[FredAkbar]

I think you are right; there's that short stretch that goes through Richardson Grove State Park.  I should remember that because I got a speeding ticket around there years ago when I didn't slow down fast enough at the end of the higher speed limit part of US 101.  It's been at least 20 years since I've been on that road; the picture in my mind isn't always the right one.

I had no idea I drove through this until going through my photos.

This is is probably the next part of US 101 that will be bypassed as it limits trucks which are essential to commerce.

Widening the narrow part through Richardson grove is evidently not "essential" as they have been getting along without it so far.

I can imagine the Richardson Grove part staying as-is simply because it's clearly narrow for a reason; you can really feel the trees constraining and towering over the road.

The part that has always seemed precarious to me is the Bigfoot shop just north of that (GSV link). I'm always scared someone will be running across the road. Something about that plus the school bus stop warning sign makes it seem especially dangerous for a highway.

[kkt]

I'd like Caltrans to take another look at bypassing the Richardson Grove stretch.  I know, it would cost money, but sometimes money is worth spending.  I'm glad they bypassed the Avenue of the Giants section.

[Max Rockatansky]

Wasn't it intended to be transferred eventually to CA 271?  I'm surprised nobody has ever tried to sell these environmental groups on creating a second Avenue of the Giants.

[kkt]

Wasn't it intended to be transferred eventually to CA 271?  I'm surprised nobody has ever tried to sell these environmental groups on creating a second Avenue of the Giants.

Perhaps there are some who figured keeping the bottleneck to long trailers would help keep out heavy industry and limit the amount of construction.

[cl94]

Caltrans District 9 announced this afternoon that the US 395 closure south of Sonora Junction will continue through at least 5 PM Saturday. The early storms this week have delayed construction and will prevent a Thursday reopening.

https://x.com/Caltrans9/status/1836201637020590406?t=ZzWnjw2_fAg6LBx-tpFf4g&s=19

[Max Rockatansky]

1933 era prototype of the State Highway shield I've never seen.  This has the bear and similar "California" to the spade design adopted in 1934:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/336824209861722/permalink/2537179873159467/?mibextid=S66gvF

[pderocco]

1933 era prototype of the State Highway shield I've never seen.  This has the bear and similar "California" to the spade design adopted in 1934:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/336824209861722/permalink/2537179873159467/?mibextid=S66gvF

Pretty lousy design, as the number only occupies a small fraction of the area.

Good for wall-hanging, though.

[kkt]

1933 era prototype of the State Highway shield I've never seen.  This has the bear and similar "California" to the spade design adopted in 1934:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/336824209861722/permalink/2537179873159467/?mibextid=S66gvF

Interesting.  Glad they didn't adopt that one.  Looks too busy, and too little space is for the route number.

[Max Rockatansky]

What intrigues me is that seemingly these would have used the Legislative Route Numbers.  The rationale for why that changed hasn't emerged quite yet.