CA-99 Interstate corridor? (From Bakersfield to Stockton if not Sacramento)

[english si]

What is the green colored line intended to represent?  The map legend only describes what blue means.

And what are these numbers that aren't 20 meant to represent? The map legend only describes what 20 in a circle means!

[ElishaGOtis]

FHWA / Congress view it as not fictional even if California itself is uninterested in pushing for it.

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/Planning/national_highway_system/high_priority_corridors/hbcfilg.cfm

Note the date on that document: December 10, 2015. That's almost 10 years ago, so it unclear if the Feds are still interested in pursuing it.

While I do agree that its chances of designation are exceedingly low (and I'd even argue that an I-40 extension over SR-58 is more likely at this rate, which is DEFINITELY now fictional), it is still written into law, even if the law passed who-knows-how-many years ago.

[The Ghostbuster]

Maybe we should give up on any more Interstate corridors in California. All at-grade intersections have been eliminated between Interstate 5 and Business 80/US 50. Except for upgrades to modern design standards, nothing more probably needs to be done to the corridor. As for CA 58, maybe an interchange at CA 223, and an eventual upgrade of Stockdale Hwy. to freeway standards will suffice.

[Max Rockatansky]

A lot more needs to be done with the corridor.  There are lots of substandard structures still left.  The Chowchilla Underpass comes to mind immediately as well as numerous antiquated exit/entrance ramps. 

[vdeane]

What is the green colored line intended to represent?  The map legend only describes what blue means.

Every future corridor actually has its own color on the map, although some shades are hard to tell apart (such as I-86 and I-99).  It even says "colors are added for clarity only".

[Concrete Bob]

Without getting into "Fictional Freeways" territory too deeply, I wouldn't mind seeing interstate status routed up the Capital City Freeway up to the "Split" where I-80 splits off CA-51. 

Our State and Local authorities are currently in the process of upgrading the corridor as far north as Exposition Boulevard. If the corridor can be upgraded up to the "Split," it would serve as a logical northern terminus of the "future" Interstate. 

If I were the "powers that be," I would utilize the "I-7" convention. The existing "CA-7" is a short border spur route and could be renumbered as "CA-308." The current route is an expressway, and appears to be easily upgradable to a freeway, and could become I-308 in the far-off future.

CA-9 already has too much of a historical representation in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  In my opinion, it should remain "as is."

[Max Rockatansky]

Without getting into "Fictional Freeways" territory too deeply, I wouldn't mind seeing interstate status routed up the Capital City Freeway up to the "Split" where I-80 splits off CA-51. 

Our State and Local authorities are currently in the process of upgrading the corridor as far north as Exposition Boulevard. If the corridor can be upgraded up to the "Split," it would serve as a logical northern terminus of the "future" Interstate. 

If I were the "powers that be," I would utilize the "I-7" convention. The existing "CA-7" is a short border spur route and could be renumbered as "CA-308." The current route is an expressway, and appears to be easily upgradable to a freeway, and could become I-308 in the far-off future.

CA-9 already has too much of a historical representation in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  In my opinion, it should remain "as is."

US 50 west of CA 51 is also FHWA defined I-305.  That is pretty much the only logical corridor to tie into I-5 or I-80.

[pderocco]

Maybe the interstate designation should be Alt. I-5 cosigned with CA 99?

How about Business Route I-5. In a way, that's what it is.

[mgk920]

I an far more bullish on CA 58 eventually becoming a westward extension of I-40 than I am with anything regarding CA 99.  Also with upgrades to the CA 4 corridor between Stockton, CA and the Bay area.

Mike

[Max Rockatansky]

CA 4 in the Delta has zero chance of ever being expanded.  So much so in fact that there actual momentum towards building CA 239.

[Rothman]

Now this is really fictional...

That said, the only incentive to upgrade corridors to Interstate is to up the federal reimbursement rate (NHPP) from 80 to 90 percent.  I suspect that's what is going on in NC...

[RoadWarrior56]

I remember reading on the web around the time period 2000-2001, a detailed and lenghtly CALTRANS study that examimed the improvements and costs needed to convert SR 99 to what was identified in the study as Interstate 9 (I-9).  The study suggested I-9 rather than I-7 as a homage to the roadway's history as US 99/SR 99.  The proposed extent of I-9 was from the I-5 split north of the Grapevine north to Stockton.  It may not ever happen, but it has been seriously considered.  If anybody on this blog can still find that study, please post a link.

[pderocco]

I remember reading on the web around the time period 2000-2001, a detailed and lenghtly CALTRANS study that examimed the improvements and costs needed to convert SR 99 to what was identified in the study as Interstate 9 (I-9).  The study suggested I-9 rather than I-7 as a homage to the roadway's history as US 99/SR 99.  The proposed extent of I-9 was from the I-5 split north of the Grapevine north to Stockton.  It may not ever happen, but it has been seriously considered.  If anybody on this blog can still find that study, please post a link.

I'll bet that even though since then they've done the bulk of the actual work (e.g., eliminating at-grade intersections), it would still be much more expensive to finish the job today than to have started the job then.

[michravera]

Without getting into "Fictional Freeways" territory too deeply, I wouldn't mind seeing interstate status routed up the Capital City Freeway up to the "Split" where I-80 splits off CA-51. 

Our State and Local authorities are currently in the process of upgrading the corridor as far north as Exposition Boulevard. If the corridor can be upgraded up to the "Split," it would serve as a logical northern terminus of the "future" Interstate. 

If I were the "powers that be," I would utilize the "I-7" convention. The existing "CA-7" is a short border spur route and could be renumbered as "CA-308." The current route is an expressway, and appears to be easily upgradable to a freeway, and could become I-308 in the far-off future.

CA-9 already has too much of a historical representation in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  In my opinion, it should remain "as is."

US 50 west of CA 51 is also FHWA defined I-305.  That is pretty much the only logical corridor to tie into I-5 or I-80.

Have I-305 make a turn and head for Wheeler Ridge! {DUCK!}

[SeriesE]

I've posted this in another thread before: I rather the route go back to US-99 to preserve the number and make it obvious that it's a step above state routes in importance

[ClassicHasClass]

Would you settle for signing US 99 from Wheeler Ridge to Sacramento, and then CA 99 from Sacramento north?

[pderocco]

Would you settle for signing US 99 from Wheeler Ridge to Sacramento, and then CA 99 from Sacramento north?

AASHTO wouldn't.

[Max Rockatansky]

Would you settle for signing US 99 from Wheeler Ridge to Sacramento, and then CA 99 from Sacramento north?

AASHTO wouldn't.

In theory so long as in-state route proposed was over 300 miles they wouldn't have a reason to object.

[pderocco]

Would you settle for signing US 99 from Wheeler Ridge to Sacramento, and then CA 99 from Sacramento north?

AASHTO wouldn't.

In theory so long as in-state route proposed was over 300 miles they wouldn't have a reason to object.

That would be fine with me. I like US routes too.

If that's so, then California could have kept US-299 by lengthening it to Cedarville, if not the NV border.

[Max Rockatansky]

Would you settle for signing US 99 from Wheeler Ridge to Sacramento, and then CA 99 from Sacramento north?

AASHTO wouldn't.

In theory so long as in-state route proposed was over 300 miles they wouldn't have a reason to object.

That would be fine with me. I like US routes too.

If that's so, then California could have kept US-299 by lengthening it to Cedarville, if not the NV border.

They wanted to show off their greenies.  That was actually emphasized in the late era CHPW volumes.

[kkt]

Changing all the signs would require spending money, and wouldn't be solving any problems.  In fact it would create confusion.  By all means continue the functional upgrades.  But changing the number is a makework project at best.  (Wooo!  We're drivin' on an Interstate now! said no one ever.)

[Rothman]

Changing all the signs would require spending money, and wouldn't be solving any problems.  In fact it would create confusion.  By all means continue the functional upgrades.  But changing the number is a makework project at best.  (Wooo!  We're drivin' on an Interstate now! said no one ever.)

If I were CalTrans, I'd want as much 90% federal reimbursement as I could get a hold of.

[vdeane]

(Wooo!  We're drivin' on an Interstate now! said no one ever.)

I'm sure there are quite a few of us on this forum who actually do feel that way.

[kkt]

Changing all the signs would require spending money, and wouldn't be solving any problems.  In fact it would create confusion.  By all means continue the functional upgrades.  But changing the number is a makework project at best.  (Wooo!  We're drivin' on an Interstate now! said no one ever.)

If I were CalTrans, I'd want as much 90% federal reimbursement as I could get a hold of.

I was under the impression that the 90% match days were over.

[Max Rockatansky]

(Wooo!  We're drivin' on an Interstate now! said no one ever.)

I'm sure there are quite a few of us on this forum who actually do feel that way.

And personally I find it quite bizarre that somehow an Interstate designation would actually entice some to drive CA 99.  I would think the outlying oddity that the corridor is now would hold almost universal appeal or intrigue.

Then again I guess this tracks with how many people in this hobby can't handle I-238 and I-99 existing.  Numeric symmetry and general homogenization of roads were never my bag.