Tag: great-renumbering

CARxR 1.08: Highway Numbering: U.S. Highways (Part I)CARxR 1.08: Highway Numbering: U.S. Highways (Part I)

February 18, 2023February 18, 2023 | DanielDaniel | 0 Comments | 5:23 pm

In this episode, we continue our exploration of numbering of state highways by turning our attention to the U.S. highway system. These are the white shields with black numbers. It is the second episode in a four part miniseries on highway numbers in California. In this episode we talk about the history of the US highway system, how the US highways are numbered, how things have changed in the post-Interstate era, and we wax rhapsodic on the nostalgia of US highways. The remaining episodes in the miniseries will explore the numbering of and the history of California’s Interstates, and the signed county route system.

Our interview for this episode was to be with Jim McDonnell of AASHTO on AASHTO’s role in assigning US and Interstate numbers. But we’ve run into scheduling difficulties and haven’t been able to coordinate a recording time by our scheduled drop date. So consider this Part I of the episode. When we can get things coordinated with Jim we’ll record and release Part II.

Here are some relevant links (I may edit this to add more links in later):

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Anchor.FM:

Episode 1.09 will continue the numbering miniseries, and we’ll be looking at numbers on and about the Interstate system. Looking forward, Episode 1.10 will look at the County Sign Route system. As always, we’re looking for interviews for future episodes. If you have any leads, please contact us:

  • For 1.10: Someone familiar with the county sign route system, either from the Caltrans office that coordinates the program or the a county Public Works person.
  • For 1.11: Ideally, an assemblycritter or state senator involved with the Transportation Committee and numbering resolutions
  • For 1.12: Someone from the California Transportation Commission

We encourage you to explore our back catalog through this site or our Anchor.FM home.

CARxR Ep. 1.05: Chronology – The Great Renumbering and New FreewaysCARxR Ep. 1.05: Chronology – The Great Renumbering and New Freeways

November 15, 2022November 15, 2022 | DanielDaniel | 0 Comment | 9:35 pm

In this episode, we’re continuing to explore the history of the State Highway System, focusing on the construction boom in the 1960s under the administration of Pat Brown. This period saw the great renumbering, as highways were unified under a combined legislative / sign route system (as opposed to the separate systems that existing previously). It also saw a tremendous expansion of the freeways as construction worked hard to meet the construction deadlines. The period ended with the passage of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the election of Ronald Reagan, and the Freeway Revolts.

Our interview is with Arturo Salazar, a retired District 7 Caltrans engineer and moderator of the Freeways of Los Angeles Facebook group.

Here are some relevant links for the episode (I’ll likely edit this to add more links in later):

Here’s the link to the show:

And here’s the link on Anchor.FM:

As always, we’re looking for interviews for future episodes. If you have any leads, please contact us:

  • For 1.06: Someone familiar with CEQA and its impact on the highway construction process; also the impact of regional transportation planning agencies
  • For 1.07: Someone familiar with California’s state highway numbering, and in particular, with how post miles are used in California.
  • For 1.08: Someone familiar with AASHTO’s role in highway numbering.