California

[Great Lakes Roads]

Here's a neat video of a news segment on freeway building in the San Diego region in 1969.
It shows the construction of building the I-5/I-8 and the I-8/I-805 interchanges.

[pderocco]

Here's a neat video of a news segment on freeway building in the San Diego region in 1969.
It shows the construction of building the I-5/I-8 and the I-8/I-805 interchanges.

That I-805 bridge is very cool to drive over, because it's airborne for 3/4 of a mile, going over not only I-8, but the San Diego River, the trolley tracks, Friars Rd, and a couple other streets. It's also interesting because the two roads are on the top and bottom of the stack, with the ramps between them.

[ClassicHasClass]

Interesting mention of CA 109 as well.

[ClassicHasClass]

On my current usual route through the East and North Bay, I noticed they finally opened up the fifth lane on the eastbound I-80 Express Lanes project through Fairfield and Vacaville, eliminating that pinch point as you get to the top of the hill north of Air Base Pkwy. Much smoother traffic. The only thing left to do is stripe the right shoulder.

The express lanes are still not open, though, just the previous HOV lanes.

[Voyager]

On my current usual route through the East and North Bay, I noticed they finally opened up the fifth lane on the eastbound I-80 Express Lanes project through Fairfield and Vacaville, eliminating that pinch point as you get to the top of the hill north of Air Base Pkwy. Much smoother traffic. The only thing left to do is stripe the right shoulder.

The express lanes are still not open, though, just the previous HOV lanes.

Looks like the disaster on the Yolo Causeway towards the 50/80 split is finally nearing completion as well.

[Great Lakes Roads]

The new 91 EB to 71 NB direct connector opened on June 23rd, replacing the tight single-lane loop ramp.

[SeriesE]

One step closer to widening the first 3 miles of CA-71 to 6 lanes

[GaryA]

Ventura County is removing all of its highway call boxes, citing high maintenance and low usage.

I saw the announcement last week, and the boxes and signs have already been covered in black plastic.

[cahwyguy]

That explains why they were covered when we drove Route 23 on Saturday.

[pderocco]

Ventura County is removing all of its highway call boxes, citing high maintenance and low usage.

I saw the announcement last week, and the boxes and signs have already been covered in black plastic.

I assumed that if they were on state highways, they were state maintained.

[Max Rockatansky]

Ventura County is removing all of its highway call boxes, citing high maintenance and low usage.

I saw the announcement last week, and the boxes and signs have already been covered in black plastic.

I assumed that if they were on state highways, they were state maintained.

Not all of them are.  There are several still on Panoche Road that are owned by San Benito County.  Richmond Parkway has them also and they even have numbers for Contra Costa Route 93 in reference to never constructed CA 93.

[GaryA]

Ventura County is removing all of its highway call boxes, citing high maintenance and low usage.

I saw the announcement last week, and the boxes and signs have already been covered in black plastic.

I assumed that if they were on state highways, they were state maintained.

The news article reported that the decision was made by the Ventura County Transportation Commission. Only 849 calls were logged in 2024 across the 427 call boxes, down 85% from 2005.  At least some of the funds will be allocated to supporting the Freeway Service Patrol.

The article's here, and I think this one's free to read - https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2025/07/08/call-box-system-to-end-along-ventura-county-highways/84451437007/

[Rothman]

Ventura County is removing all of its highway call boxes, citing high maintenance and low usage.

I saw the announcement last week, and the boxes and signs have already been covered in black plastic.

I assumed that if they were on state highways, they were state maintained.

The news article reported that the decision was made by the Ventura County Transportation Commission. Only 849 calls were logged in 2024 across the 427 call boxes, down 85% from 2005.  At least some of the funds will be allocated to supporting the Freeway Service Patrol.

The article's here, and I think this one's free to read - https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2025/07/08/call-box-system-to-end-along-ventura-county-highways/84451437007/

Over two a day?  Strange that didn't justify their continued existence.

[Max Rockatansky]

Callboxes in areas with cell coverage seems more than a little redundant. 

[Rothman]

Callboxes in areas with cell coverage seems more than a little redundant. 

Not with that much usage.  You'd think people would just use cell phones, but a decent number are opting for the call boxes instead.

[Max Rockatansky]

Callboxes in areas with cell coverage seems more than a little redundant. 

Not with that much usage.  You'd think people would just use cell phones, but a decent number are opting for the call boxes instead.

I guess at least you'll get someone via call box that can for sure help with whatever road side issue is at hand (and know where you are).  No guarantees with calling friends or family who might not even understand what highway you are on.

[cl94]

Two per day is far more than I would have guessed in this day and age. Sure, it's 1/6 of the volume they got 20 years ago, but I would have expected that the number was closer to two per month.

[Scott5114]

I guess at least you'll get someone via call box that can for sure help with whatever road side issue is at hand (and know where you are).  No guarantees with calling friends or family who might not even understand what highway you are on.

It also assumes you have friends or family—if my wife and I were to run into car trouble, we would basically be hoping that one of her coworkers would be up for helping us, since we don't exactly have much of a network of friends here.

[Max Rockatansky]

I guess at least you'll get someone via call box that can for sure help with whatever road side issue is at hand (and know where you are).  No guarantees with calling friends or family who might not even understand what highway you are on.

It also assumes you have friends or family—if my wife and I were to run into car trouble, we would basically be hoping that one of her coworkers would be up for helping us, since we don't exactly have much of a network of friends here.

I certainly have a lot more acquaintances now that I'm married.  Acquaintances don't necessarily translate into people who would be able to bail me out.  I usually bring enough gear, food and water to walk out of any situation I find myself in.  To that end long hikes and long drives tend to have almost the same preparations. 

[Plutonic Panda]

I did not even know Buena Park had a Koreatown

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ocregister.com/2025/08/26/freeway-signs-unveiled-directing-5-freeway-travelers-to-buena-parks-koreatown/amp/

[pderocco]

I did not even know Buena Park had a Koreatown

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ocregister.com/2025/08/26/freeway-signs-unveiled-directing-5-freeway-travelers-to-buena-parks-koreatown/amp/

That's paywalled, but from what I can see in Google Earth, there is a mall at Beach and Orangethorpe called Korean Town, which kind of reminds me of the old Horton Plaza in San Diego for its fanciful architecture. I don't know if there's a larger neighborhood around that locally called Koreatown, so I wonder if the signs are for Koreatown or Korean Town.

[Plutonic Panda]

Here is the article

Members of the Buena Park City Council, city officials, dignitaries, and other guests gather for a group photo next the new Koreatown Freeway sign in a ceremony next to the 85°C Bakery Cafe at the Village Circle on Beach shopping center in Buena Park on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Buena Park declared its Koreatown in 2023. Now it is freeway sign official.

There has been a cluster of Korean businesses in the north Orange County city for years, and more recently, the Source OC has found its footing as a restaurant and entertainment destination known for hosting Korean cultural events and performers. Its movie theater regularly screens Korean releases and offers Hollywood blockbusters with Korean subtitles.

The City Council leaned in and designated the stretch of Beach Boulevard between Orangethorpe Avenue and Rosecrans Avenue as Koreatown two years ago, and on Tuesday, Aug. 26, unveiled freeway signs that will flag down travelers on the nearby 5 Freeway.

"Buena Park's Koreatown has become a cornerstone of Korean culture, not only in Orange County but throughout the region, attracting visitors from throughout the state and beyond," Mayor Joyce Ahn said as a brown freeway sign declaring "Koreatown, Next Exit" was showcased.

Visit Buena Park dedicates a page to Koreatown and all it offers. "The vibrant neighborhood is a foodie lover's paradise spanning over 2.5 miles," it says.

The visitor bureau counts more than a dozen Korean restaurants in shopping centers at Beach and La Mirada boulevards and maps more shops and eateries within the business district north of the 5 Freeway.

"With more and more visitors exploring our Koreatown restaurants and shops, we can see the community's spirit shine bright," Ahn said. "With so much investment pouring into this area, it is important we recognize the vital role Koreatown plays in Buena Park's economic success."

[Scott5114]

Look at these cretins applauding the 3/4 error!

[stevashe]

Look at these cretins applauding the 3/4 error!

I had the same thought! Surely Koreatown deserves better than to have undersized lowercase characters.

[pderocco]

Thanks. I'm not really into Korean food, but that mall looks like an interesting place to poke around and take pictures. Maybe I'll stop there if I pass through that general area.