Category: Region 4

99 Alert – Santa Clarita

Development in some places is inevitable. How some have lasted as long as they have and being relatively untouched is rather amazing. A section of US 99 known as The Old Road in Santa Clarita between Castaic Junction (Route 126) and Magic Mountain Parkway will be widened in the very near future with two historic bridges being replaced. Los Angeles County announced that the work is finally funded and will commence soon. The 1929 Santa Clara River Bridge and Santa Clara Overhead will be replaced likely starting in the next year or so. The remaining section, a rare section of 1948 expressway with oleander in the median, will be replaced with a six-lane generic roadway.

Use this opportunity to get as many photos and video of what remains! We need to do what we can to preserve the history of US 99 for the future however we can.

US 99 – Santa Clara River Bridge

New Video – Piru Gorge and Pyramid Lake

Check out our new video on Piru Gorge and Pyramid Lake. See what lies beneath the surface of Pyramid Lake and the many other features of Piru Gorge!

New Video – The Grapevine

The first video in our new series “History along US 99” is now available for viewing! Come check it out on our YouTube channel.

Ridge Route Preservation Organization Begins Pothole Project

From the Ridge Route Preservation Organization:

The Ridge Route Preservation Organization was cleared by the Angeles National Forest to repair potholes along the north section of the Old Ridge Route from the 138 to the Tumble Inn.

The intent is to preserve the road and make it more accessible to the public as well as emergency services. Filling the potholes can reinforce crumbling sections of the road as well as prevent further damage to the original road surface.

The Ridge Route Pothole Project will begin in spring of 2024.

These improvements don’t only serve to protect the history of the Ridge Route, the repairs will also serve everyone who passes through the area. It’s a large stretch of open land that provides recreation for hikers, cyclists and hunters as well as being a heavy fire danger area. It’s important that emergency vehicles have quick and easy access when mere seconds matter.

A donation of $15 buys a 50 pound bag of asphalt cold patch.

For volunteer and donation info visit https://ridgeroute.org/pothole-project.

99 Alert Update – Calimesa Area

Good news from Calimesa! Our campaign to save the date stamps from the 1925 paving on Roberts Road is a success! The stamps will be removed from the existing paving in the very near future and held by the City of Calimesa to be displayed at their new library. We will post additional information on any events or ceremonies as we get closer.

We wish to thank all who helped us in this preservation effort!