Last modified March 19, 2001. The following categories provide information on the corresponding sections of the California State Highways route descriptions. Each section appears in the description of each route only if applicable.
The images of Interstate, U. S., and California highways that appear in the route description pages were derived from those created by James Lin from scanned pictures. The images from the State Highway Markers web site were shrunk down and cleared of characters to create a blank sign. Then the route number was added using a graphics program. The font for the numbers was chosen to approximate that used in the creation of roadway signs. Unfortunately, the best fit (Arial and Arial Narrow) is not the same one used by Caltrans. The differences can be compared in the header for the main page. The Route 49 sign is a smaller replica of a scanned image while the other two signs were created using computer fonts.
The description for each route is a direct excerpt from Sections 300 to 635 of the California Streets and Highways Code. The route's section number is generally the route number plus 300 (for example, Route 113 is described in Section 413). The exceptions are for route numbers greater than 300. Although the Code provides the routing for each highway, Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) determines the alignment and oversees construction and operation of each route.
The Freeway and Expressway System is a special set of California highways that are to be constructed to high capacity standards in order to provide better service on certain routes. The system standards and designation is described in Sections 250 to 257 of the Streets and Highways Code.
The Interregional Road System is another special designation for certain California highways. Routes in this system are guaranteed a certain percentage of construction funds. The conditions for admission into these systems and the list of routes included are given in Sections 163 to 164.56 of the Streets and Highways Code.
The state scenic highway system and California Historic Parkways are two other special designations of certain California highways. The first denotes scenic routes found in the state and the second marks highways that have historical significance. The conditions for admission into these systems and the list of routes included are given in Sections 260 to 283 of the Streets and Highways Code.
The information on historical changes to the Streets and Highways Code comes from the Deering version of the codes. Their supplements note the changes to the Codes and the year in which they occurred. The year of the legislated change is provided for each modification to the highway route: NN corresponds to the year 19NN or 20NN. The descripiton of each change has been reinterpreted such that it is seen as a change to the route rather than a change to the Code. Parts (a), (b), etc. refer to the parts of the Code description of the route.
Providing the historical changes to the California Highway System was a major motivational factor in the creation of this list. However, a note of caution needs to be given. These are legislated changes which may or may not eventually be constructed. For example, Route 64 in Los Angeles has been proposed for quite some time, but has never been built. Additionally, physical changes to highways such as realignment or upgrading to freeway status are not reflected in the historical changes unless the routing is significantly different after the change.
As a side note, the California State Highway System underwent a major renumbering of routes on July 1, 1964. Prior to that, the legislated route numbers listed in the Streets and Highways code usually had no relation to the signed route number posted on the route. For example, US-40, the predecessor to I-80, followed parts of 8 separate legislative routes from San Francisco to the Nevada State Line. The difficulty in identifying which signed route matches the legislative route led to the decision to list only the changes that occurred after July 1, 1964.
This section lists which parts of the legislated route have not been constructed. Additionally, the routes that have U. S. and Interstate signs are noted (the default is a state highway sign). Finally, the portions of the route that do not have roadway route signs are listed. (Although not officially signed, these routes have the standard white roadside marker that gives the route number, county, and milepost). These classifications are made according to the California State Highway Map published by Caltrans in 1994 and personal observations. Parts (a), (b), etc. refer to the parts of the Code description of the route.
The final section lists all portions of the route that are constructed to freeway status. According to Section 257 of the Streets and Highways Code, a freeway is a "divided arterial highway for through traffic with full control of access and with grade separtions at intersections". Similar to the "Status" category, the list in this category was made from maps and personal observations. Parts (a), (b), etc. refer to the parts of the Code description of the route.
Last modified March 19, 2001.