Tag: Interstates

CARxR 1.09: Highway Numbering: Interstate HighwaysCARxR 1.09: Highway Numbering: Interstate Highways

March 25, 2023March 25, 2023 | DanielDaniel | 0 Comment | 1:04 pm

In this episode, we continue our exploration of numbering of state highways by turning our attention to the Interstate Highway system. This system, started in 1956, uses the red, white, and blue shields. It is the third episode in a four part miniseries on highway numbers in California. In this episode we talk about the history of the Interstate Highway system, how the Interstate Highways are numbered, the history of California’s chargable interstates (i.e., highways that counted towards the federal 42,500 mile limit), the history of California’s non-chargeable interstates, some interstate submissions that were never approved, and we opine about some of the most common questions about California interstates.

There is no interview. We’re going to move the interview segments into separate bonus episodes, owing to the difficulty of obtaining and scheduling the interviews.

The remaining episode in this miniseries will explore the numbering of and the history of California’s signed county route system.

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 Spotify for Podcasters:

Episode 1.10 will conclude the numbering miniseries, and we’ll be looking at the County Sign Route system.

We encourage you to explore our back catalog through this site or our Spotify for Podcasters home.

CARxR Ep. 1.04: Expanding the State Highway System after WWIICARxR Ep. 1.04: Expanding the State Highway System after WWII

October 14, 2022October 14, 2022 | DanielDaniel | 2 Comments | 6:33 pm

In this episode, we’re continuing to explore the history of the State Highway System, focusing on the period as WWII was ending, the Interstate system was emerging, and the construction boom was starting. This is part of our first season of California Highways: Route by Route, where we are exploring the background needed for our route by route journey. In this episode, we see the birth of the Freeway System in California, starting with the Collier-Burns act increasing state funding for highways, and State and Federal recommendations for higher-capacity systems. We see the growth in cities and urban areas pushing demand for the same, leading to the definition of the Freeway and Expressway System. We cover the passage of the 1956 Interstate Highway Act, and the subsequent freeway conversion and construction boom. Our guest interview is with Dr. Jonathan L. Gifford of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. He is also the director of the Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership Policy. His doctoral dissertation examined the history and development of the interstate highway system from its origins in the 1930s through its design and deployment in the 1960s and beyond.

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:


We welcome your comments on the episode. We’re also looking for someone to donate or provide more appropriate theme music. We’re also looking for interviews for future episodes; if you know a good person for us to talk to, drop a note to daniel@caroutebyroute.org. In particular, we’re looking for the folks to talk about the following:

  • For 1.05: Someone familiar with the Pat Brown era of road construction, who is also familiar with the impact on the state of the Great Renumbering (ideally, someone who remembers it first hand). We have a lead, but don’t have the interview scheduled … yet. Hopefully in the next day or so.
  • For 1.06: Someone familiar with the contracting and development process for highways today: How the CEQA has changed the process, and the increasing role of regional transportation agencies.
  • For 1.07: Perhaps someone to talk about California’s Post Mile system and its history.