Route 99 and Historic U.S. 99

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Former U.S. 99Oregon State Highway 99

OR 99 follows the route of Old U.S. 99, mostly following Interstate 5 between Ashland near Siskiyou Summit and Eugene. North of Eugene, OR 99 divides into OR 99W and OR 99E in Junction City, with OR 99W passing through Corvallis and McMinnville and OR 99E serving Albany and Salem. The two routes converge in Portland at the foot of the Interstate Bridge over the Columbia River, although significant segments of both OR 99E and OR 99W have been decommissioned and shifted to city maintenance.

U.S. 99, the Pacific Highway, was the main north-south route between northern California, western Oregon and western Washington. U.S. 99 served the cities of Ashland, Medford, Grants Pass, Roseburg, Eugene-Springfield, Albany, Salem, and the greater Portland metropolitan area. The completion of Interstate 5 replaced the need for U.S. 99, and in 1971 the highway was decommissioned and renumbered as Oregon Route 99. The majority of old U.S. 99 was retained in the state route system, however several segments bypassed by I-5 were turned over to county maintenance. Sections of OR 99 overlap with I-5 from Ashland north to the Columbia River.

Within the city of Eugene, U.S. 99 combined with U.S. 126. The two highways overlapped along Franklin Boulevard west to Broadway, Mill Street, and the one-way couplet of 6th/7th Avenues. U.S. 126 was relocated to a freeway in 1971 and decommissioned in 1972. Oregon Route 126 Business follows the former surface street alignment through both Downtown Eugene and Springfield. OR 99/OR 126 Business overlap as their predecessors did from Interstate 105 east to I-5.

Rock Point Bridge

Known also as the Old Pacific Highway Bridge, the Rock Point Bridge spans the Rogue River at Rock Point west of Gold Hill in southern Oregon. Opened to traffic in 1920, the concrete arch span replaced a covered bridge built in 1859. Operated by the Rock Point Bridge Company with tolls collected, the span was later purchased by Jackson County and made into a free crossing.1

The Rock Creek Bridge carries OR 99 across the Rogue River between North River Road / Sams Valley Highway and Rogue River Highway west of Gold Run. The Rogue River flows south from Diamond Lake in the Cascade Range to Gold Hill, Rogue River, Grants Pass and the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach.
5 photos

The Rock Creek Bridge carries OR 99 across the Rogue River between North River Road / Sams Valley Highway and Rogue River Highway west of Gold Run. The Rogue River flows south from Diamond Lake in the Cascade Range to Gold Hill, Rogue River, Grants Pass and the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach.

03/31/05

Looking west at the Rogue River from the Rock Point Bridge area. The Rogue was designated a Wild and Scenic River by Congress.

Looking west at the Rogue River from the Rock Point Bridge area. The Rogue was designated a Wild and Scenic River by Congress.

03/31/05

Oregon State Route 99 North
OR 99 (Sams Valley Highway) turns onto the Rock Point Bridge west of Gold Hill at Rock Point in southwestern Oregon. Interstate 5 parallels the state route closely along the south banks of the Rogue River.

OR 99 (Sams Valley Highway) turns onto the Rock Point Bridge west of Gold Hill at Rock Point in southwestern Oregon. Interstate 5 parallels the state route closely along the south banks of the Rogue River.

03/31/05

This U.S. 99 shield was posted along OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) northbound ahead of the access road to I-5 at Exit 43. OR 99 crosses the Rock Point Bridge and meets Interstate 5 at a diamond interchange nearby.
2 photos

This U.S. 99 shield was posted along OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) northbound ahead of the access road to I-5 at Exit 43. OR 99 crosses the Rock Point Bridge and meets Interstate 5 at a diamond interchange nearby.

03/31/05

The erroneous assembly remained even after sign replacements in the vicinity in 2006. It was, however, removed sometime after 2012.

The erroneous assembly remained even after sign replacements in the vicinity in 2006. It was, however, removed sometime after 2012.

05/28/06

Sign assembly posted on OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) south at the access road to Interstate 5 at Exit 43. Both highways straddle the Rogue River west five miles to the city of Rogue River.

Sign assembly posted on OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) south at the access road to Interstate 5 at Exit 43. Both highways straddle the Rogue River west five miles to the city of Rogue River.

05/28/06

OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) connects with OR 234 at 2nd Avenue and 4th Street in Gold Hill east of I-5 (Exit 43).

OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) connects with OR 234 at 2nd Avenue and 4th Street in Gold Hill east of I-5 (Exit 43).

03/31/05

OR 99 north & 126 Business west follow Broadway west from Franklin Boulevard into the central business district of Eugene. The tandem turn northward onto Mill Street at the split with Broadway ahead of the ramp onto Coburg Road north. Broadway enters downtown Eugene to the west while Coburg Road elevates to cross the Willamette River ahead of the Exit 2 interchange with Interstate 105 & OR 126.

OR 99 north & 126 Business west follow Broadway west from Franklin Boulevard into the central business district of Eugene. The tandem turn northward onto Mill Street at the split with Broadway ahead of the ramp onto Coburg Road north. Broadway enters downtown Eugene to the west while Coburg Road elevates to cross the Willamette River ahead of the Exit 2 interchange with Interstate 105 & OR 126.

04/01/05

OR 99 & 126 Business turn west from Mill Street onto the one way street couplet of 6th & 7th Avenues. Coburg Road heads northeast from Mill Street along a viaduct over the Union Pacific Railroad, 4th Avenue, and the Willamette River. A truss bridge carries drivers northeast to the Autzen Stadium area at the Coburg Road intersection with Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Country Club Road. OR 99 north & 126 Business west meanwhile intersect High Street at the southbound off-ramp from Coburg Road to 6th Avenue. High Street flows north to the 5th Street Public Market and Skinner Butte Park along the river front.

OR 99 & 126 Business turn west from Mill Street onto the one way street couplet of 6th & 7th Avenues. Coburg Road heads northeast from Mill Street along a viaduct over the Union Pacific Railroad, 4th Avenue, and the Willamette River. A truss bridge carries drivers northeast to the Autzen Stadium area at the Coburg Road intersection with Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Country Club Road. OR 99 north & 126 Business west meanwhile intersect High Street at the southbound off-ramp from Coburg Road to 6th Avenue. High Street flows north to the 5th Street Public Market and Skinner Butte Park along the river front.

04/01/05

Reassurance markers for OR 99 north & 126 Business west posted on the 6th Avenue block between High and Pearl Streets.

Reassurance markers for OR 99 north & 126 Business west posted on the 6th Avenue block between High and Pearl Streets.

04/01/05

Westbound 6th Avenue at the intersection with Pearl Street. Pearl Street leads south 1.1 miles to 20th Avenue at the Eugene Civic Stadium. Amazon Parkway stems south from there to 30th Avenue in south Eugene.

Westbound 6th Avenue at the intersection with Pearl Street. Pearl Street leads south 1.1 miles to 20th Avenue at the Eugene Civic Stadium. Amazon Parkway stems south from there to 30th Avenue in south Eugene.

04/01/05

OR 99 north & 126 Business west at the intersection with Olive Street, one quarter from Interstate 105.

OR 99 north & 126 Business west at the intersection with Olive Street, one quarter from Interstate 105.

04/01/05

A second guide sign for Interstate 105 eastbound resides at the 6th Avenue westbound intersection with Charnelton Street. Interstate 105 & OR 126 cross the river and meet the Delta Highway near Valley River Center mall. Delta Highway joins Interstate 105 with Belt Line Highway, an east-west freeway that serves the Eugene suburb of Santa Clara.

A second guide sign for Interstate 105 eastbound resides at the 6th Avenue westbound intersection with Charnelton Street. Interstate 105 & OR 126 cross the river and meet the Delta Highway near Valley River Center mall. Delta Highway joins Interstate 105 with Belt Line Highway, an east-west freeway that serves the Eugene suburb of Santa Clara.

04/01/05

Approaching the intersection with Lincoln Street and northbound on-ramp to Interstate 105 & OR 126 on 6th Avenue west.

Approaching the intersection with Lincoln Street and northbound on-ramp to Interstate 105 & OR 126 on 6th Avenue west.

04/01/05

OR 126 eastbound joins Interstate 105 to cross the Jefferson-Washington Street Bridge over the Willamette River. The 6th Avenue off-ramp to the Eugene freeway network leaves from the Lawrence Street intersection.

OR 126 eastbound joins Interstate 105 to cross the Jefferson-Washington Street Bridge over the Willamette River. The 6th Avenue off-ramp to the Eugene freeway network leaves from the Lawrence Street intersection.

04/01/05

OR 99 north & 126 Business travel underneath the ramps to 7th Avenue from Interstate 105 & OR 126. Attached to the northbound ramp from Washington Street is a button copy pull-through panel for OR 99, likely installed from the time of U.S. 99's decommissioning in 1971. OR 126 Business ends at the OR 126 westbound merge from Interstate 105 ahead.

OR 99 north & 126 Business travel underneath the ramps to 7th Avenue from Interstate 105 & OR 126. Attached to the northbound ramp from Washington Street is a button copy pull-through panel for OR 99, likely installed from the time of U.S. 99's decommissioning in 1971. OR 126 Business ends at the OR 126 westbound merge from Interstate 105 ahead.

04/01/05

Oregon State Route 99 South
OR 99 south & 126 east (7th Avenue) at the intersection with Madison Street in Eugene. An overhead advises motorists of the impending split of OR 126 eastbound onto Interstate 105 from OR 99 south at Washington Street. The north-south streets within the vicinity of the freeway are named after former U.S. presidents beginning with Washington and ending with Taylor. For some reason William Henry Harrison is omitted from the streets between Van Buren and Tyler.

OR 99 south & 126 east (7th Avenue) at the intersection with Madison Street in Eugene. An overhead advises motorists of the impending split of OR 126 eastbound onto Interstate 105 from OR 99 south at Washington Street. The north-south streets within the vicinity of the freeway are named after former U.S. presidents beginning with Washington and ending with Taylor. For some reason William Henry Harrison is omitted from the streets between Van Buren and Tyler.

04/01/05

A closer look at the Interstates 5-105 & OR 126 overhead posted on 7th Avenue eastbound. Interstate 105 & OR 126 ascend onto an elevated highway to the "Washington-Jefferson Street Bridge" across the Willamette River.

A closer look at the Interstates 5-105 & OR 126 overhead posted on 7th Avenue eastbound. Interstate 105 & OR 126 ascend onto an elevated highway to the "Washington-Jefferson Street Bridge" across the Willamette River.

04/01/05

The end of Interstate 105 dumps traffic onto 7th Avenue east and Jefferson Street southbound. OR 126 west joins OR 99 north on 6th Avenue one block to the north. Jefferson Street south continues to the Lane County Fairgrounds at 13th Avenue.

The end of Interstate 105 dumps traffic onto 7th Avenue east and Jefferson Street southbound. OR 126 west joins OR 99 north on 6th Avenue one block to the north. Jefferson Street south continues to the Lane County Fairgrounds at 13th Avenue.

04/01/05

OR 126 eastbound merges onto Interstate 105 east ahead of the 7th Avenue intersection with Washington Street. Interstate 105 & OR 126 east continue north to the Delta Highway and east to Interstate 5.

OR 126 eastbound merges onto Interstate 105 east ahead of the 7th Avenue intersection with Washington Street. Interstate 105 & OR 126 east continue north to the Delta Highway and east to Interstate 5.

04/01/05

7th Avenue continues east from the Interstate 105 & OR 126 freeway ramp to Washington Street. OR 126 Business begins and follows OR 99 southbound through downtown Eugene to the University of Oregon campus.

7th Avenue continues east from the Interstate 105 & OR 126 freeway ramp to Washington Street. OR 126 Business begins and follows OR 99 southbound through downtown Eugene to the University of Oregon campus.

04/01/05

OR 99 south & 126 Business east turn from 7th Avenue onto Mill Street at the Coburg Road viaduct. Coburg Road stems northeast from the downtown area across the Willamette River to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Interstate 105 & OR 126.

OR 99 south & 126 Business east turn from 7th Avenue onto Mill Street at the Coburg Road viaduct. Coburg Road stems northeast from the downtown area across the Willamette River to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Interstate 105 & OR 126.

04/01/05

Traffic from Coburg Road southbound merges onto OR 99 south & 126 Business east (Mill Street) ahead of the merge with Broadway. A turn-off provides access to Broadway west for downtown Eugene.

Traffic from Coburg Road southbound merges onto OR 99 south & 126 Business east (Mill Street) ahead of the merge with Broadway. A turn-off provides access to Broadway west for downtown Eugene.

04/01/05

Traffic lights operate at Mill Street south and Broadway East. OR 99/126 Business follow Broadway east to the University of Oregon campus and Franklin Boulevard.

Traffic lights operate at Mill Street south and Broadway East. OR 99/126 Business follow Broadway east to the University of Oregon campus and Franklin Boulevard.

04/01/05

Broadway constitutes a six lane boulevard east from Mill Street. Pictured here is the scene ahead at Ferry Street.

Broadway constitutes a six lane boulevard east from Mill Street. Pictured here is the scene ahead at Ferry Street.

04/01/05

A close look at an OR 99 south & 126 Business eastbound reassurance assembly posted between Ferry and Patterson Streets. Broadway name changes to Franklin Boulevard at the U. of O. campus en route to Interstate 5 south near the Judkins section of east Eugene.

A close look at an OR 99 south & 126 Business eastbound reassurance assembly posted between Ferry and Patterson Streets. Broadway name changes to Franklin Boulevard at the U. of O. campus en route to Interstate 5 south near the Judkins section of east Eugene.

04/01/05

OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) southbound at the Exit 43 access road to Interstate 5 near Rock Point. Exit 43 of the freeway provides access to OR 234 north, an Oregon Scenic Byway leading to Crater Lake National Park. OR 99 meets the southern terminus of OR 234 (4th Street) via 2nd Avenue in downtown Gold Hill ahead.

OR 99 (Rogue River Highway) southbound at the Exit 43 access road to Interstate 5 near Rock Point. Exit 43 of the freeway provides access to OR 234 north, an Oregon Scenic Byway leading to Crater Lake National Park. OR 99 meets the southern terminus of OR 234 (4th Street) via 2nd Avenue in downtown Gold Hill ahead.

03/31/05

This confirming marker assembly south of the connection to I-5 at Exit 43 was removed after 2012 and not replaced.

This confirming marker assembly south of the connection to I-5 at Exit 43 was removed after 2012 and not replaced.

03/31/05

The Rock Point Bridge over the Rogue River comes into view shortly after the shield assembly.
3 photos

The Rock Point Bridge over the Rogue River comes into view shortly after the shield assembly.

05/28/06

OR 99 turns north and crosses the Rock Point Bridge over the Rogue River near the Exit 43 diamond interchange of Interstate 5. Named after the Rock Point post office nearby, the concrete arch span joins the Rogue River Highway with North River Road west and Sams Valley Highway east.
3 photos

OR 99 turns north and crosses the Rock Point Bridge over the Rogue River near the Exit 43 diamond interchange of Interstate 5. Named after the Rock Point post office nearby, the concrete arch span joins the Rogue River Highway with North River Road west and Sams Valley Highway east.

05/28/06

OR 99 travels alongside the Southern Pacific Railroad through rural areas east of the Rock Point Bridge to Gold Hill. Pictured here is the North River Road intersection with OR 99 (Rock Point Bridge).

OR 99 travels alongside the Southern Pacific Railroad through rural areas east of the Rock Point Bridge to Gold Hill. Pictured here is the North River Road intersection with OR 99 (Rock Point Bridge).

03/31/05

References:

  1. Structurae [en]: Rock Point Bridge (1920).

Photo Credits:

Connect with:

Interstate 5Interstate 5
Interstate 105Interstate 105
Oregon State Route 126Route 126 - Eugene and Springfield
Oregon State Route 569Route 569 - Belt Line Highway - Eugene

Page Updated Sunday March 04, 2007.