California Highways:
www.cahighways.org

From Route 1 near Santa Cruz to Route 17 near Los Gatos via Waterman Gap and Saratoga Gap and along the ridge between the San Lorenzo and Pescadero Creeks.

In 1963, this was defined to run "from Route 17 near Santa Cruz to Route 17 near Los Gatos via Waterman Gap and Saratoga Gap and along the ridge between the San Lorenzo and Pescadero Creeks." In 1981, Chapter 292 changed the western origin to Route 17 Route 1 near Santa Cruz.

As defined in 1934, Sign Route 9 was signed along the route from Santa Cruz to Milpitas via Redwood Park. This route consisted of the following segments:

1. Between Santa Cruz and the present southern Route 9/Route 236 junction near Waterman Gap. This segment was LRN 116, and was added to the state highway system in 1933.
   

   There has been some discussion regarding whether Graham Hill Road was ever considered as a replacement for the LRN 116 routing, but to date no evidence has been found. Ocean Avenue in Santa Cruz does turn into Graham Hill Road, and Ocean Ave was Route 17, so consideration of Graham Hill Road might explain the Route 17 reference in the definition, but (again) no evidence has been found yet to confirm this.
   (Source: Gribblenation Blog, "Graham Hill Road", 2/9/2026; AARoads Discussion, "Graham Hill Road", 2/9-13/2026)

2. Originally, Sign Route 9 used what is now Route 236 between Boulder Creek and Waterman Gap. This was LRN 44 (first defined in 1917) to Governor's Camp in the California Redwood Park (what is now the Park Headquarters in Big Basin State Park), and LRN 42 (defined in 1913) from the Governor's Camp in the California Redwood Park to Waterman Gap. After the completion of LRN 116 around 1940 (the specific date is unclear from state highway maps), Sign Route 9 was rerouted to continue along LRN 116 to meet LRN 42 in Waterman Gap at what is now the northern end of Route 236. At that time, the LRN 44/LRN 42 segments that would become Route 236 were either unsigned, or might have been signed as a spur.
3. Between Waterman Gap (Route 236) and Saratoga. This segment was LRN 42. The portion between Waterman Gap and LRN 55 in Saratoga Gap (Sign Route 5, post-1964 Route 35) was added in 1913; the remainder between Saratoga Gap and Saratoga was an extension to the original LRN 42, defined in 1933. Note that the remainder of the LRN 42 extension, between Saratoga and LRN 5 (Route 17) near Los Gatos, was not part of Sign Route 9, but in 1964 became part of the post-1964 Route 9.
4. Between Saratoga and the Mountain View/Sunnyvale area: The segment was LRN 114, which was defined in 1933 as "[LRN 68] near Sunnyvale to Los Gatos-Saratoga Gap Road", and redefined in 1935 as "[LRN 68] near Sunnyvale to [LRN 42]". LRN 68 was signed as Bypass US 101. This is roughly post-1964 Route 85, although there were some LRN changes in the late 1950s and routing changes with freeway construction (such as extending LRN 114 to start at Sign Route 17 in 1959, and then to US 101 in 1961).
5. Between Bypass US 101 and Milpitas: This segment was LRN 113, defined in 1933 as "[LRN 2] near Mountain View to [LRN 5] near Milpitas". LRN 5 was Sign Route 17, and is today's I-880. Note that LRN 113 started at LRN 2 (US 101), not LRN 68 (US 101 Bypass). It does not appear that the portion of LRN 113 between LRN 2 and LRN 68 was part of Sign Route 9. The portion between US Route 237. Some maps from before the 1934 state route signing show this as part of US 48, but other maps appear to make it clear that US 48 started in Milpitas and ran along LRN 5 North.

Originally, Milpitas was the end of the 1934 Sign Route 9. From Milpitas North, maps show the state highway, LRN 5, continuing along Sign Route 17 and Sign Route 21 to Mission San Jose (the specific routing is detailed below), and then continuing NW from Mission San Jose through Hayward into Castro Valley, where one segment turned W towards Dublin, Tracy, and Stockton, and another segment continue N into Oakland. In 1926 (before the state signage in 1934), the segment from Milpitas to Castro Valley was signed as part of US 48 (which continued NE to Stockton, all along LRN 5). In 1930, things changed: US 48 was truncated to end in Hayward at 14^th Street (and Castro Valley/Mattox Rd), and US 101E was signed along LRN 5 from Oakland to San Jose (where it met US 101W). In 1931, US 48 was decommissioned and replaced with an extension of US 50; this also eliminated US 101E. This extension followed the existing LRN 5 and US 48 from Stockton to Castro Valley, but then turned N to continue into Oakland (along former US 101E) to meet US 40 at the Bay Bridge, all along an extension of LRN 5. The segment of LRN 5 from San Jose to Hayward appears to have been unsigned after US 48 was decommissioned, although US 101E signage appears to have remained until state highways were signed in 1934, as the 1934 state highway map shows US 101E. Signage from San Jose to Mission San Jose returned in 1934 (Sign Route 17 to Warm Springs, and Sign Route 21 to Mission San Jose, with Sign Route 21 continuing approx. along today's I-680 routing towards Danville, Walnut Creek, and Martinez. Mission Blvd N of Mission San Jose was unsigned state highway).

Sometime between 1946 and 1948, the routing from Milpitas to Castro Valley became part of an extension of Sign Route 9 ("sometime", because the 1946 state highway map doesn't show the extension, and the 1948 state highway map does). Sign Route 9 was cosigned with Sign Route 17 to Warm Springs, and cosigned with Sign Route 21 to Mission San Jose, and then just Sign Route 9 from Mission San Jose to Castro Valley.

How does this correspond to current routes? This is where things get trickier, because everything changed when the Eastshore/Nimitz Freeway (Sign Route 17 and later I-880) was completed in the early 1950s (and things changed again when I-680 was completed, taking over Sign Route 21). Before the Eastshore, LRN 5 ran out of San Jose along Oakland Road (corresponding to today's (Old) Oakland Road, Main Street (Milpitas), the Main Street/Abel Street couplet (Milpitas), Milpitas Blvd, and Warm Springs Blvd). In Warm Springs, Sign Route 17 headed NW on LRN 69 out of Warm Springs along today's Warm Springs Ct., Lopes Road/Old Warm Springs Blvd, and Fremont Blvd (with a rail crossing where the Warm Springs/South Fremont BART station is now). With the construction of the Eastshore to the W of the previous LRN 69, a short extension segment was added to LRN 69 extending to LRN 5. This extension became Route 262.

Sign Route 9 originally ended in Milpitas, at what is now Serra Way and Main Street, where it met Sign Route 17. N from there, LRN 5 was Sign Route 17 to Warm Springs, Sign Route 21 along Mission Blvd, and an unsigned route into Castro Valley along Mission Blvd (Sign Route 21 split off to the NE along Mission Road, which eventually became I-680). Around 1948, this was signed/cosigned with Sign Route 9.

As to the portion of Sign Route 9 from Milpitas down to Saratoga: According to research by Tom Fearer, the original routing of Sign Route 9 traveled west from Milpitas along LRN 113 via Alviso-Milpitas Road and 1^st Street to Alviso. From Alviso, LRN 113 continued south on Gold Street and west to Mathilda Avenue. The original alignment of LRN 113 is largely buried under the Route 237 freeway. LRN 113 was realigned out of Alviso by 1958. Sign Route 9 then traveled south on LRN 114 via Mathilda Avenue to the El Camino Real/US 101 in Sunnyvale. Sign Route 9 on LRN 114 took an eastern jog on El Camino Real/US 101 before turning south on Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road. Sign Route 9 continued south on LRN 114 via Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road to Big Basin Way in downtown Saratoga. LRN 114 became the original alignment of Route 85 during the 1964 California Highway Renumbering. Sign Route 9 traveled west from Saratoga on LRN 42 to Big Basin State Park. LRN 42 and LRN 44 were developed off of preexisting logging roads. LRN 44 and LRN 42 from Boulder Creek to Waterman Gap would become Route 236 during the 1964 State Highway Renumbering. Maps in 1940 begin to show Sign Route 9 using LRN 116 to reach Route 1 in Santa Cruz.
(Source: Summarized from Gribblenation Blog "California State Route 9", August 2020)

This all changed in 1964, when the great renumbering happened. Sign Route 9 was split into multiple routes:

• The new Route 9 was extended along an unsigned portion of LRN 42, added in 1933, to end at Route 17 in Los Gatos.
• The segment of Sign Route 9 from Saratoga to US 101 Bypass (now US 101) became Route 85 along Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road / DeAnza / Mathilda to Mountain View-Alviso Road (and then moved to accommodate the freeway routing). This was LRN 114.
• The segment of Sign Route 9 from US 101 Bypass to Milpitas became part of Route 237. This was LRN 113.
• The segment of Sign Route 9 cosigned with Sign Route 17 became Route 17, veering onto Route 262, to I-680 (former Sign Route 21). This was LRN 69. However, one could also view this as just taking LRN 5 N, which was I-680. It is difficult to say exactly because of the changes in routings in the area, and because most of the freeway routings were never signed as Sign Route 9; Sign Route 9 was on the older surface street routings. While it is possible Sign Route 17 on the Eastshore/Nimitz was cosigned.with Sign Route 9, the state highway maps make it appear more that Sign Route 9 stayed on Oakland Road, while Sign Route 17 moved to the Eastshore/Nimitz. Sign Route 9 was never signed along today's I-680 freeway.
• The segment of Sign Route 9 cosigned with Sign Route 21: This is hard, because the Sign Route 9 version ran along Mission Blvd along LRN 5, but that was bypassed along a new routing for LRN 5 curving around the Cameron Hills, which became I-680. But by the time of that new routing, Sign Route 9 in this area did not exist.
• The segment of Sign Route 9 that ran on its lonesome from Mission San Jose into Castro Valley. This became Route 238 along LRN 5, while the Sign Route 21 portion that became I-680 was LRN 108 to Route 84, and LRN 107 into Dublin and Walnut Creek. At Sign Route 92 (Jackson Street), Sign Route 9 veered NE onto Jackson, which became Foothill, to Castro Valley (US 50). US 50 became I-580. Mission Blvd continued as LRN 105 from Jackson, becoming N 14^th Street. In San Leandro, where N 14^th met Davis (today's signed Route 61) and Washington, N 14^th picked up Sign Route 17 again. The Mission/N 14^th routing is today's Route 185.

The only consistent portion that remained both Sign Route 9 and Route 9 was the portion from Santa Cruz to Saratoga, along LRN 116 and LRN 42.

In Saratoga, the route of Sign Route 9 diverged from the present Route 9. Sign Route 9, as LRN 114, proceeded North on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road into Sunnyvale via Mathilda Ave, thence to a jct with Alviso-Milpitas Road (currently signed as Route 237), and a junction with Bypass US-101 (LRN 68). It appears this segment was defined in 1933. On October 18, 1956, the Highway Commission adopted the routing for a future freeway location for Sign Route 9 (now Route 85) from Bayshore Freeway north of Moffett Field, generally following Stevens Creek to an existing Sign Route 9 location north of Azule near Saratoga.

In 1956, public hearings were conducted for Sign Route 9 (future Route 85) between Azula (Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road) and the Bayshore Freeway. Azule is located at the railroad crossing on Sign Route 9 between Saratoga and Cupertino. The proposed freeway (which is hard to map to present routings due to street changes and the orientation of the map) runs roughly along the lines of Stevens Creek and westerly of the present highway, just N of Moffett Field. As of 1956, Sign Route 9 (now Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road and Mathilda Ave, as the state signage for Sign Route 9 in this area was dropped in the 1964 renumbering) met the Alviso-Mountain View Road (future Route 237) just S of Moffett Field.
(Source: 1956 Newspaper Article via Joel Windmiller, 2/13/2023)

Sign Route 9 then proceeded on the current Route 237 alignment into Milpitas. This was LRN 113. It ran east on the current Route 237 alignment to Sign Route 17 (LRN 69; now I-880). Before the current bridge over the Guadalupe River was constructed, it took a route into Alviso via Gold Street north and 1^st Street southwest back to the current Route 237 alignment.

Between Milpitas and Warm Springs, Sign Route 9 ran along Oakland Blvd to Mission Blvd; this was LRN 5 (and was cosigned with Sign Route 17). After completion of the Eastshore Freeway, Sign Route 9 ran N along LRN 69 (Sign Route 17, now I-880) to present-day Route 262 near Warm Springs. This segment, as LRN 69, was added to the state highway system in 1933.

Near Warm Springs, Sign Route 9 ran along the present-day Route 262 routing between Sign Route 17 (present-day I-880) and Sign Route 21 (present-day Route 680). This was part of a 1959 extension to LRN 69, and LRN 5, defined in 1909.

Between the present-day Route 262/I-680 junction near Warm Springs and Irvington, Sign Route 9 ran cosigned with Sign Route 21 to Irvington, near Mission San Jose along Mission Blvd. This segment was LRN 5, and was added to the state highway system in 1909.

Near the mission (at Mission Blvd), Sign Route 9 diverged, continuing as Sign Route 9 (but still LRN 5) along what is now Route 238, ending at US 50 (present-day I-580). This was also added in 1909.

Santa Cruz (Route 1) to Boulder Creek (SCR 13.08)

PPNO 4658: Rt 1/9 Intersection Modifications (05-SCr-9, PM 0.0/0.2)

The 2018 STIP, approved at the CTC March 2018 meeting, appears to increase the allocation for PPNO 4658, Rt 1/9 Intersection modifications, from $329K to $2.853M. This project, on Route 1 from SCR 17.5/17.7 and Route 9 from SCR 0.0/0.2, is in the city of Santa Cruz, at the junction of Route 1 and Route 9. Construct turn lanes and bike lanes.

The 2020 STIP, approved at the CTC March 2020 meeting, retains the 2018 STIP programming.
(Source: March 2020 CTC Agenda, Item 4.7, 2020 STIP Adopted 3/25/2020)

In August 2020, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project is located in Santa Cruz County on Route 1 (05-SCr-1, PM 17.5/17.7) and Route 9 (05-SCr-9, PM 0.0/0.2) in the City of Santa Cruz. The project proposes to construct turn lanes and bike lanes. This project is fully funded and is currently programmed in the 2020 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for a total of $11,846,000 which includes Construction (capital and support) and Right of Way (capital and support) with Regional Improvement Program funds, federal and local dollars.
(Source: August 2020 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(1))

Route 9 Felton Safety Improvements Project - 04-SCR-09 6.3/7.2

In August 2019, it was reported that new signs and crosswalk improvements, designed to keep pedestrians and cyclists safer and off Route 9 in Felton, have been installed. The signs provide direction for pedestrians and cyclists — including students at San Lorenzo Valley School District campus — through residential neighborhoods and into downtown Felton while avoiding Route 9. The issue has been an ongoing community concern due to heavy traffic and lack of infrastructure on Route 9. The new signage directs pedestrians and cyclists away from the busy roadway and over to Felton Empire Road, connecting them with Gushee Street (~ SCR 5.986 to SCR 6.448). The route is a lower-trafficked alternative to Route 9, which does not have bike lanes or complete sidewalks.
(Source: Scotts Valley Patch, 8/23/2019)

In February 2023, it was reported that Caltrans has earmarked another $3.3 million so it can proceed with final designs and right-of-way components for the Route 9 Felton Safety Improvements Project. The money is coming from the SHOPP. The project is set to construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities to improve safety on Route 9 near Felton from Kirby Street (~ SCR 6.343) to north of Fall Creek Drive (SCR 7.083)—measures local residents say are desperately needed given the immense traffic on the route. New signs—possibly with flashing lights for pedestrian safety—are being considered for the area south of Graham Hill Road. Another is to be added near the place where a new sidewalk ends downtown Felton. Construction on the $8.5 million initiative is scheduled to begin in Spring 2025.
(Source: Press Banner, 2/3/2023)

In May 2023, it was reported that the draft of the traffic study that seeks to fix problems with this portion of Route 9 has been released, and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is now seeking public feedback on the San Lorenzo Valley Schools Circulation and Access Study. The Highway 9/San Lorenzo Valley Complete Streets Corridor Plan was completed in 2019, after years of public meetings, focus groups and surveys. It’s supposed to be a guiding document to coordinate future transportation projects in the area. Then, in January 2022, the RTC, SLVUSD, Caltrans, METRO and the County decided to work together on an addition to the plan—to really zoom-in on necessary improvements along Route 9 from Graham Hill Road to the southern Glen Arbor Road intersection. The resulting study notes that between January 2015 and December 2019 there were 49 crashes—mostly things like rear-end collisions and sideswipes—in the studied area, including 11 between El Solyo Heights Drive and the San Lorenzo Valley High School driveway alone. It found 70% of students rely on personal vehicles to get to the Tri-Campus, followed by 24% who take METRO or SLVUSD buses and 6% who walk or use some sort of wheeled device. The study found 66% of people want sidewalks on the south side of Route 9, and 62% favored right-turn “pockets,” which make turning safer. Fifty-five percent would like to see sidewalks on Route 9’s northern side. Sixty percent want cycling infrastructure on the south side of Route 9, and 52% want cycling infrastructure on the north side of the Caltrans-managed roadway. The draft plan recommends southbound shoulder and sidewalk improvements from the high school driveway to Graham Hill Road (which is already part of the Caltrans Felton Safety Project) and a northbound continuous bike lane and shoulder from Graham Hill Road to Rockys Café. It also recommends developing a pathway between Fall Creek Drive and the high school. The plan suggests the removal of five to seven parking spaces south of the high school traffic signal to establish a student loading zone and restricting travel in the area between the high school and the elementary school parking lots to northbound traffic, to improve overall flow.
(Source: Press Banner, 5/19/2023)

In June 2025, there was an update on the Felton Safety Project. This project proposes to construct a sidewalk from the San Lorenzo Valley High School toward the intersection of Route 9 and Graham Hill Road on the southbound side of Route 9. As part of this improvement, shoulder widening will be constructed so that a minimum 4-foot wide shoulder is provided on the southbound side of the highway at all locations where the sidewalk is constructed at the highway grade. In locations where the new sidewalk alignment is above the highway and behind existing retaining walls, no shoulder widening is proposed. Signage and/or rapid flashing pedestrian beacon improvements will be evaluated for the project between postmiles 6.3 and 6.45 (South of Graham Hill Road). Detailed proposals for this location will be developed during the Project Approval and Environmental Document phase. If the sidewalk cannot be constructed all the way to Graham Hill Road, the sidewalk and shoulder improvements will be carried to a logical stopping point. A signalized flashing beacon pedestrian crossing will be added at or near the terminus of the sidewalk improvements if they are stopped prior to Graham Hill Road / Felton Empire Road. These design details will be further evaluated during the (PAED) Project Approval and Environmental Document phase of the project. At spot locations, the sidewalk will be reduced in width to 32 inches per the allowable standards in the current Caltrans Design Information Bulletin (DIB) 82-06 Pedestrian Accessibility Guidelines for Highway Projects. Additionally, non-standard sidewalk widths of 4 feet will be used in severely constrained locations, such as above retaining walls and in front of environmentally sensitive areas or adjacent residences. Where possible throughout the project, a sidewalk width of 6 feet will be constructed. In the Project Approval and Environmental Document phase, when design surveys are received, potential wider path or sidewalk improvements can additionally be investigated for the northern area of the project from postmiles 6.8 to 7.2.
(Source: Caltrans State Rte 9 Felton Safety Improvements Page, accessed 9/11/2025)

In June 2025, it was reported that construction on the Felton Safety Project was expected to start in Fall 2025 on the sidewalk on Route 9 between Graham Hill Road and San Lorenzo Valley High School. The project is part of a four-year process of safety upgrades for walking and biking on the highway in Felton. Another project proposed to start construction in 2027 and end in 2029 would add bike lanes, sidewalks, upgraded crosswalks and other improvements on Route 9 throughout downtown Felton. It would include: * Sidewalks and painted bike lanes through much of downtown Felton, from Laurel Drive to Graham Hill Road. * A pedestrian walkway from Route 9 to the bridge over the San Lorenzo River, just inside Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. * Repainted crosswalks, with curb extensions at some crosswalks. * Redesigned bus stops. * Safety upgrades for the intersection of Graham Hill Road and Route 9. * A painted bike lane in the City of Santa Cruz from Encinal Street to Golf Club Drive. A third set of safety improvements on Route 9 has been planned for downtown Boulder Creek. The project is not fully funded and lacks an environmental review. The plan tentatively includes: * Sidewalks and bike lanes between Mountain Street and Bear Creek Road. * Curb extensions at some crosswalks. * Center median islands to slow traffic. * A potential new stop sign at the intersection with Bear Creek Road.
(Source: Santa Cruz Local, 6/13/2025)

In August 2025, the CTC was informed of the following SHOPP Safety sub-allocation by Caltrans: $8,000,000. 05-SCr-9 6.3/7.2. PPNO 05-3012; ProjID 0519000136; EA 1M400. Route 9 Near Felton, from Kirby Street to 0.1 mile north of Fall Creek Drive. Construct pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure to improve safety.  This project will reduce the number and severity of collisions. CEQA - CE, 11/16/2022; Re-validation 01/06/2025 NEPA - CE, 11/16/2022; Re-validation 12/12/2024. Allocation Date: 06/24/25. Pre-Construction Phase: Budgeted (Actual, if different): PA&ED $2,070,000 ($1,314,764); PS&E $3,089,300 ($2,630,839); R/W Sup $1,229,000 ($1,004,967). Construction Phase - Programmed (Allocation, if different): CON ENG $1,901,000; CONST $5,785,000.
(Source: August 2025 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5f.(3) #4)

San Lorenzo River Bridge № 36-0052 / Kings Creek Bridge № 36-0054 (PM 15.49) Replacement (05-Santa Cruz-9 PM 13.6/15.5)

The following project was included in the final adopted 2018 SHOPP in March 2018: PPNO 2655. 05-Santa Cruz-9 13.6/15.5. Route 9 Near Boulder Creek, at San Lorenzo River Bridge № 36-0052 (PM SCR 13.61) and Kings Creek Bridge № 36-0054 (PM SCR 15.49). Replace bridges to maintain standards of safety and reliability. Begin Con: 3/4/2022. Total Project Cost: $23,210.

The 2020 SHOPP, approved in May 2020, included the following Bridge Preservation item of interest (carried over from the 2018 SHOPP): 05-Santa Cruz-9 PM 13.6/15.5 PPNO 2655 Proj ID 0516000078 EA 1H470. Route 9 near Boulder Creek, at San Lorenzo River Bridge № 36-0052 (PM 13.61) and Kings Creek Bridge № 36-0054 (PM 15.49). Replace bridges to maintain standards of safety and reliability. Programmed in FY21-22, with construction scheduled to start in July 2022. Total project cost is $23,210K, with $12,588K being capital (const and right of way) and $10,622K being support (engineering, environmental, etc.).
(Source: 2020 Approved SHOPP a/o May 2020)

In March 2021, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding: 05-SCr-9, PM 13.6/15.5. San Lorenzo River Bridge and Kings Creek Bridge Replacement Project. Replace two bridges on Route 9 in Santa Cruz County. (MND) (PPNO 2655) (SHOPP). The project is located in Boulder Creek in Santa Cruz County. The Department proposes to replace the San Lorenzo River Bridge at post mile 13.6 and Kings Creek Bridge at post mile 15.5 on Route 9 in Santa Cruz County. This project is fully funded and programmed in the 2020 SHOPP for a total of $23,210,000 which includes Construction (capital and support) and Right of Way (capital and support). Construction is estimated to begin in Fiscal Year 2022-2023. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope programmed by the Commission in the 2020 SHOPP. A Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) has been completed. The project will result in less than significant impacts to the environment after mitigation. The following resource areas may be impacted by the project: biological resources. Avoidance and minimization measures will reduce any potential effects on the environment. These measures include, but are not limited to, contract provisions for the cleanup of project-related hazardous materials spills and the establishment of environmentally sensitive area fencing for sensitive habitat.
(Source: March 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(1))

In March 2021, the CTC approved the following pre-construction SHOPP SB1 support phase allocation(s): (2b) #7. $2,884,000 (PS&E); $600,000 (R/W Sup; $888,000 programmed). 05-SCr-9 13.6/15.5. PPNO 05-2655; ProjID 0516000078; EA 1H470. Route 9 Near Boulder Creek, at San Lorenzo River Bridge № 36-0052 (PM 13.61) and Kings Creek Bridge № 36-0054 (PM 15.49). Replace bridges to maintain standards of safety and reliability. (Concurrent consideration of funding under Resolution E-21-22; March 2021.) (Nine month time extension for PS&E and R/W Sup approved under Waiver 20-31; June 2020.) Prog year 21-22. Media reports indicated that this was a $2 million allocation, but the total was closer to $3.488 million, when PS&E and R/W sup costs are combined.
(Source: March 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(2b) #7; Paso Robles Daily News, 3/26/2021)

In May 2021, the CTC amended this project in the SHOPP: 05-SCr-9 13.6, 15.5 PPNO 2655 ProjID 0516000078 EA 1H470. Route 9 Near Boulder Creek, at San Lorenzo River Bridge № 36-0052 (PM 13.61) and Kings Creek Bridge № 36-0054 (PM 15.49). Replace bridges to maintain standards of safety and reliability. Amend to adjust costs. Increase construction capital ($11,928K → $16,165K) because of necessary additional roadway replacement, increased clearing and tree removal, a temporary creek diversion, and an increase in cast-in-drilled-hole piles. Revised total: $27,447K.
(Source: May 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1d) #28)

In June 2021, the CTC amended this project in the 2020 SHOPP: 05-SCr-9 13.6 PPNO 2655 ProjID 0516000078 EA 05-1H470. Route 9 Near Boulder Creek, at San Lorenzo River Bridge № 36-0052 (PM 13.61) and Kings Creek Bridge № 36-0054 (PM 15.49). Replace bridges to maintain standards of safety and reliability. Note: Increase construction capital because it has been determined that the girders are too large and heavy to transport as one unit and will instead need to be shipped and spliced onsite, at higher cost. Const Cap $16,165K $17,765K; Total $27,447K $29,047K.
(Source: June 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1d) #35)

In March 2024, the CTC approved the following preconstruction SHOPP SB1 phase allocation: $900,000. 05-SCr-9 13.61. PPNO 05-2655; ProjID 0516000078; EA 1H470. Route 9 Near Boulder Creek, at San Lorenzo River Bridge № 36-0052 and Kings Creek Bridge № 36-0054 (PM 15.49). Outcome/Outputs: Replace bridges to maintain standards of safety and reliability. Future consideration of funding approved under Resolution E-21-22; March 2021. Concurrent Amendment under Resolution G-24-34, SHOPP Amendment 24H-000; March 2024. Allocation: PS&E $600,000; RW Sup: $300,000.
(Source: March 2024 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(2b) #9)

In January 2025, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding the San Lorenzo River Bridge and Kings Creek Bridge Replacement Project, for which an MND and Addendum have been completed: Route 9 in Santa Cruz County. Replace bridges on Route 9 at San Lorenzo River Bridge № 36-0052 (at PM 13.6) and Kings Creek Bridge № 36-0054 (at PM 15.5) in Santa Cruz County. (PPNO 2655; 05-SCR-9, PM 13.6/15.5). The project is located on Route 9 at PM 13.6 and PM 15.5, in Santa Cruz County. The Department proposes to replace bridges to maintain standards of safety and reliability. The project is currently programmed in the 2024 SHOPP. The total programmed amount, which includes Right of Way (Support and Capital) and Construction (Support and Capital) is $21,150,000. Construction will begin in 2024-25. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope as programmed by the Commission in the 2024 SHOPP.
(Source: January 2025 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(2) #2)

In January 2025, the CTC approved the following SHOPP Construction Phase allocation: $19,735,000. 05-SCr-9 13.61. PPNO 05-2655; ProjID 0516000078; EA 1H470. Route 9 near Boulder Creek, at San Lorenzo River Bridge № 36-0052 and Kings Creek Bridge № 36-0054 (PM 15.49). Replace bridges to maintain standards of safety and reliability. CEQA - MND, 2/2/2021; Re-validation 9/3/2024. NEPA - FONSI, 2/2/2021; Re-validation 9/3/2024. Future consideration of funding approved under Resolution E-21-22; March 2021. Concurrent addendum for the previously approved Future Consideration of Funding under Resolution E-25-10A; January 2025. As part of this allocation request, the Department is requesting to extend the completion of CONST and CON ENG an additional 5 months beyond the 36 month deadline. Pre-Construction Phase: Budgeted (Actual, if different): PA&ED $2,692,000 ($2,262,492); PS&E $3,662,658 ($3,291,290); R/W Sup $684,090 ($483,194). Construction Phase - Programmed (Allocation, if different): CON ENG $4,600,000; CONST $15,150,000.
(Source: January 2025 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(1) #8)

In August 2025, the CTC approved a request for an additional $1,897,000 (12.5 percent increase) in Construction Capital for the SHOPP Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement project on Route 9 (EA 1H470, PPNO 2655). This project is located on Route 9 near Boulder Creek, at the San Lorenzo River Bridge (№ 36-0052) and Kings Creek Bridge (№ 36-0054), in Santa Cruz County.  The project will replace the bridges. In April 2025, the Department advertised the contract and held bid opening in June 2025.  The contract received six bids, of which the lowest bid is 13.0 percent above the Engineer’s Estimate (EE) of the bid items.  The remaining five bids range from 15.8 to 36.6 percent over the EE. The cost increases on this project are largely attributed to temporary shuttle service, job site management, structure excavation, and bridge removal.  Despite factoring the project’s location into the EE, the contractor still cited the rural location of the bridges and the constrained work locations as the reason for the higher than anticipated unit cost. SHOPP Update: $1,897,000. 05-SCr-9 13.6/15.5. PPNO 05-2655; ProjID 0516000078; EA 1H470. Route 9 near Boulder Creek, at San Lorenzo River Bridge № 36-0052 and Kings Creek Bridge № 36-0054 (PM 15.49). Outcome/Outputs: Replace bridges to maintain standards of safety and reliability. Total revised amount $17,032,000. Supplemental funds are needed to award. CEQA - MND, 02/02/2021; Re-validation 09/03/2024 NEPA - FONSI, 02/02/2021; Re-validation 09/03/2024. Future consideration of funding approved under Resolution E-21-22; March 2021. Addendum to the previously approved future consideration of funding approved under Resolution E-25-10A; January 2025. Allocation: Construction Phase - Programmed (Allocation, if different): CONST $15,135,000 ($17,032,000).
(Source: August 2025 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5e.(12))

Boulder Creek (SCR 13.08) to Route 35 (SCR 27.072)

Waterman Gap Fish Passage Bridge (05-SCr-9 19.2)

In June 2024, the CTC authorized the following pre-construction-phase SHOPP project allocation: $3,401,000. 05-SCr-9 19.2. PPNO 05-2880F; ProjID 0523000059; EA 1K901. Route 9 At the San Lorenzo River, in Castle Rock State Park. Outcome/Outputs: Replace Waterman Gap culvert with a bridge to improve fish passage. Includes federal Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Grant amount of $6,000,000. (Additional contribution of $2,000,000 from State Parks.) Additional Contribution: PS&E $300,000 from State Parks. Allocation (Programmed, if different): PS&E $3,014,000 ($2,824,000); RW Sup $387,000.
(Source: June 2024 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(2a) #16)

In June 2025, the CTC revised this project in the 2024 SHOPP: 05-SCr-9 19.2. PPNO 05-2880F; ProjID 0523000059; EA 1K901. Route 9 At the San Lorenzo River, in Castle Rock State Park. Replace Waterman Gap culvert with a bridge to improve fish passage. Includes federal Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Grant amount of $6,000,000. (Additional contribution of $2,000,000 from State Parks.) Allocation Changes ($ × $1000): R/W Cap $55 $81; Const Cap $6,253 $9,171; TOTAL $11,707 $14,651. Note: Update right of way and construction capital to address refined design in bridge profile, and a refined structure estimate for items such as mobilization, bridge removal, irrigation, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and streambed restoration of fish passage.
(Source: June 2025 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1d) #41)

In June 2026, the CTC approved the following allocation for SHOPP construction project phases (Con Sup, R/W Cap, Const Cap): $12,531,000. 05-SCr-9 19.2. PPNO 05-2880F; ProjID 0523000059; EA 1K901. Route 9 At the San Lorenzo River, in Castle Rock State Park.  Replace Waterman Gap culvert with a bridge to improve fish passage. Includes federal Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Grant amount of $6,000,000. (Additional contribution of $1,000,000 CONST, $700,000 CON ENG, $300,000 PS&E from State Parks.) CEQA - CE, 05/24/2024; Re-validation 04/22/2026 NEPA - CE, 05/24/2024; Re-validation 04/22/2026. Pre-Construction Expenditures: Budgeted (Expended): PA&ED $300,000; PS&E $3,014,000 ($2,828,361); RW Sup $387,000 ($214,305). Construction Phase Allocation ($ × $1000): Budgeted (Actual, if different): Con Sup $2,759; Const Cap $10,802.
(Source: June 2026 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(3) #2)

Route 35 (SCR 27.072) to Route 17 near Rinconada

In March 2017, the CTC amended the SHOPP to include almost $12M in funding on Route 9 near Saratoga, from Santa Cruz County line to Sanborn Road (4-SCl-9 0.0/4.8). Remove slide debris, repair roadway, and establish safe working conditions of failed slope to initiate geotechnical investigations.

In December 2018, the CTC amended the SHOPP to include 05-SCr-9. PM 10.8. PPNO 2847. Project ID 0518000115. Route 9 Near Brookdale, south of Western Avenue. Construct side hill viaduct extension with cutoff retaining wall, restore roadway and facilities, and install permanent erosion control. Construction start: 10/27/2021. Total est. cost: $6,910,000.
(Source: December 2018 CTC Minutes, Agenda Item 2.1a(1) Item 9)

In August 2011, the CTC approved $479,000 in SHOPP funding to stabilize and repair slope at four locations in Saratoga, from Skyline Boulevard (~ 009 SCL 0.026) to Toll Gate Road (~ 009 SCL 6.678), damaged by heavy rainfall.

In June 2011, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project that will make safety upgrades on Route 9 from 2.5 miles north of Route 35 (~ 009 SCL 2.5) to 6^th Street, near Saratoga (~ 006 SCL 7.099). The project is not fully funded. The project is programmed in the 2010 State Highway Operation and Protection Program. Total estimated project cost is $13,427,000 for capital and support. The scope as described for the preferred alternative is consistent with the project scope programmed by the Commission in the 2010 State Highway Operation and Protection Program.

Saratoga Creek Bridge (04-SCl-9, PM 4.75/4.9)

In May 2016, the CTC approved additional SHOPP funding on Route 9 near Saratoga, PM 4.9, at Saratoga Creek Bridge № 37-0074. Replace bridge. The age of the existing bridge at this location makes it eligible for the National and California historic registers. The two alternatives in the Project Initiation Document (PID) have been expanded to six alternatives during the PA&ED phase and has led to an increase in support for that phase. A change in the project schedule is necessary due to the expanded alternatives in the environmental document, public input and right-of-way acquisition efforts for multiple properties, including a private picnic and campground resort adjacent to the existing bridge. These changes add $1,600,000 to the cost of the project.

The following project was included in the final adopted 2018 SHOPP in March 2018: PPNO 0386F. 04-Santa Clara-9 4.9. Route 9 Near Saratoga, at Saratoga Creek Bridge № 37-0074. Replace bridge. Begin Con: 10/19/2020. Total Project Cost: $24,569K.

In May 2019, the CTC approved the following SHOPP Amendment: 04-SCl-9 4.9 PPNO 0386F. ProjID 0412000409. Route 9 Near Saratoga, at Saratoga Creek Bridge № 37-0074. Replace bridge. Delay construction completion to FY21-22. Note: The delivery of the project is delayed by two years due to complex right of way acquisition of multiple properties. Also, due to the historical aspect of the bridge, additional outreach was required, resulting in the need to develop a range of design options.
(May 2019 Agenda Item 2.1a.(1) Amend Item 26)

In March 2020, the CTC approved the following project for future consideration of funding: Route 9 (04-SCl-9, PM 4.75/4.9) in Santa Clara County. Construct a new bridge within the existing bridge or replace it to address seismic and structural concerns in Santa Clara County. (PPNO 0386F) This project is located near the City of Saratoga in Santa Clara County and proposes to address seismic and structural concerns for the Saratoga Creek Bridge on Route 9 in Santa Clara County at PM SCL 4.85, near the intersection of Route 9 and Sanborn Road. The project proposes to construct a new bridge within the existing bridge or replace the existing bridge with a new bridge. This project is fully funded and currently programmed in the 2018 State Highway Operation Protection Program (SHOPP) for a total of $28,173,000 which includes Construction (capital and support) and Right of Way (capital and support). Construction is estimated to begin in Fiscal Year 2022-2023. The CTC also approved the following financial allocation: 04-SCI-9 PM 4.9 PPNO 0386F. ProjID 0412000409. EA 3G630. Route 9 near Saratoga, at Saratoga Creek Bridge № 37-0074. Replace bridge. (Concurrent consideration of funding under Resolution E-20-22; March 2020.) (Concurrent Amendment under SHOPP Amendment 18H-015; March 2020.) (Nine month time extension for PS&E and R/W Sup approved under Waiver 19-29; June 2019.) Financial allocation: PS&E $4,200,000 R/W Sup $1,200,000
(March 2020 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(5), 2.5b.(2b) #10)

The 2020 SHOPP, approved in May 2020, included the following Bridge Preservation item of interest (carried over from the 2018 SHOPP): 04-Santa Clara-9 PM 4.9 PPNO 0386F Proj ID 0412000409 EA 3G630. Route 9 near Saratoga, at Saratoga Creek Bridge № 37-0074. Replace bridge. Programmed in FY21-22, with construction scheduled to start in October 2022. Total project cost is $35,843K, with $24,543K being capital (const and right of way) and $11,300K being support (engineering, environmental, etc.).
(Source: 2020 Approved SHOPP a/o May 2020)

In October 2022, the CTC amended the SHOPP as follows: 04-SCl-9 4.9. PPNO 04-0386F; ProjID 0412000409; EA 3G630. Route 9 Near Saratoga, at Saratoga Creek Bridge № 37-0074. Replace bridge. This is a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) project. Allocation Changes ($ × 1,000): Const Cap: $15,432 ⇨ $13,402; Total $35,843 ⇨ $33,813. Note: Split project EA 3G630/PPNO 04-0386F into three mitigation project EAs 3G631/PPNO 04-2914W, 3G632/PPNO 04-2914X, and 3G633/PPNO 04-2914Y. Update description to include CMGC as the new recommended delivery method.
(Source: October 2022 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1d) #10)

In October 2022, the CTC approved the following construction phase allocation: $17,742,000. 04-SCl-9 4.9. PPNO 04-0386F; ProjID 0412000409; EA 3G630. Route 9 Near Saratoga, at Saratoga Creek Bridge № 37-0074. Outcome/Output: Replace bridge. This is a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) project. Programmed Allocation:CON ENG $3,100,000; CONST $13,402,000. CEQA - EIR, 1/28/2020; Re-validation 8/15/2022. NEPA - FONSI, 1/28/2020; Re-validation 8/15/2022. Future consideration of funding approved under Resolution E-20-22; March 2020. Four month time extension for CONST and CON ENG approved under Waiver 22-73; June 2022. Concurrent Amendment under SHOPP Amendment 22H-004; October 2022.
(Source: October 2022 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(1) #4)

In December 2022, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding the following project for which a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and an Addendum have been completed: Route 9 in Santa Clara County (04-SCl-9, PM 4.75/4.9). Road deck will be widened eight feet to meet design standards of bridge safety, on Route 9, in Santa Clara County. (PPNO 04-0386F). This project is located near the City of Saratoga, in Santa Clara County, and proposes to address seismic and structural concerns for the Saratoga Creek Bridge on Route 9, in Santa Clara County at postmile 4.85, near the intersection of Route 9 and Sanborn Road. The project proposes to replace the existing bridge with a new bridge. This project is fully funded and currently programmed in the 2022 SHOPP for a total of $33,813,000. Construction will begin in 2022-23. Three mitigation projects have been split from this project – EA 3G631/PPNO 04-2914W, programmed for $500,000, EA 3G632/PPNO 04-2914X, programmed for $290,000, and EA 3G633/PPNO 04-2914Y, programmed for $1,240,000. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope programmed by the Commission in the 2022 SHOPP. A FEIR was prepared because of potential biological resource impacts. A copy of the FEIR has been provided to Commission staff. The Commission approved the project for future consideration of funding on March 25, 2020, under Resolution E-20-22. During the design phase the impact footprint was reduced, and the riparian area was redefined in coordination with CDFW. The Department subsequently completed an Addendum to the FEIR pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. The Department has approved this project for construction. This approval and the Addendum satisfy the environmental requirements for this stage of the planning process.
(Source: December 2022 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(8))

In February 2023, it was reported that Caltrans is building a new Saratoga Creek bridge after an investigation revealed seismic and structural concerns. The bridge will be closed during construction, which is expected to start in March 2023. The bridge is located on Highway 9 at mile marker 4.9, between Saratoga in Santa Clara County and Felton in Santa Cruz County. The construction project will replace the existing bridge, though the new bridge will retain the outer, visible portion of the stone bridge. The project is expected to wrap up by December 2023.
(Source: Mercury News, 2/8/2023)

In July 2005, the CTC considered relinquishment of right of way in the City of Saratoga, between Saratoga-Los Gatos Road and 0.13 kilometer west of Sixth Street ( 4-SCl-9-KP 11.3/11.9, PM 7.02/7.39), consisting of nonmotorized transportation facilities, namely sidewalks.

In February 2017, it was reported that the first three phases of the Highway 9 Pedestrian/Bicycle Improvement Project are complete and the fourth phase was set to begin. Phase four of the Route 9 project involves pedestrian improvements from Fruitvale Avenue (~ 009 SCL 8.853) to El Camino Grande (~ 009 SCL 9.266) in Saratoga, and from Daves Avenue (~ 009 SCL 10.002) to Greenwood Road (~ 009 SCL 10.238) in Monte Sereno. Phase four is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.
(Source: Mercury News, 2/23/2017)

In August 2018, it was reported that plans recently approved unanimously by the Los Gatos Town Council call for a $112,000 LED flashing beacon to be installed at the intersection of Route 9 and Massol Ave (SCL 10.884). The crosswalk currently has a round beacon that can be triggered by pedestrians or bicyclists, but the flashing beacon is rectangular, resembling the emergency flashers on police cars. The intersection will also be getting green bike lanes. Sixteen accidents were reported at the Route 9/Massol intersection between 2013 and 2017, half of which resulted in injuries, a recently-completed Route 9 safety and traffic study shows. The traffic study looked at alternatives to the flashing beacon, including a stop light and a HAWK system. HAWKs use double red signals and one yellow signal to grab drivers’ attention. A HAWK installation could cost about $476,000, but would likely need a federal grant to pay for it. With no guarantee the grant would be approved, that idea was shelved. A stoplight could cost approximately $722,000 and would likely cause unacceptable traffic delays. The Los Gatos Town Council also considered adding a raised crosswalk to the intersection that would ramp the crosswalk up to sidewalk level. But there was concern that bicyclists going as fast as 30 mph could be “launched” into the air when they hit the elevated section, so that option was tabled and will be considered later. Funding for the flashing beacon has not been approved, but the Town Council will likely do that in February during its mid-year budget review. Design and construction of the new crosswalk will take another six months.
(Source: Mercury News, 8/29/2018)

The portion of Route 9 between Lower Glen Arbor Road (SCR 8.110) to Western Avenue (SCR 11.131) is named the “Sergeant Damon Christopher Gutzwiller Memorial Highway”. It was named in memory of Damon Christopher Gutzwiller, who was born in Santa Monica, California in June 1981. He attended schools in the County of Santa Cruz, graduating from Aptos High School in 1999 and earning an associate degree from Cabrillo College in Aptos. While attending Cabrillo College, Damon began working for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office at Cabrillo College as a Campus Police Assistant and Office Specialist. It was during these years that Damon was introduced to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Program and became a valued member of the volunteer staff, becoming a volunteer member of the Santa Cruz County Search and Rescue team where he began serving as a member in 2005. In 2006 Damon was hired by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and attended the Gavilan College Police Academy, graduating with class SB 79. During his career with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Damon worked as a patrol deputy, court security bailiff, field training officer, TASER instructor, SWAT operator, Unmanned Aerial Systems Operator, CSI detective, and Alcohol Compliance Officer, promoting to Sergeant in 2019, when he supervised a patrol shift. On the afternoon of June 6, 2020, in Ben Lomond, California, while Damon was supervising a suspicious-circumstance call related to potential bombmaking material, he was ambushed and shot by a lone suspect and passed away on the scene. The suspect also shot another deputy, detonated a bomb, and struck the same deputy with a car, engaging in a gun battle with two Department of the California Highway Patrol officers before fleeing the scene. The suspect was apprehended shortly after Damon’s passing. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 106, Statutes of 2024, ACR 124, 06/20/24.
(Image source: Officer Down Memorial Page)

[SHC 263.3] From Route 1 near Santa Cruz to Route 236 near Boulder Creek; and from Route 236 near Boulder Creek to Route 236 near Waterman Gap; and from Route 236 near Waterman Gap to Route 35; and from Saratoga to Route 17 near Los Gatos; and from Blaney Plaza in Saratoga to Route 35.

Eligible for Scenic Highway status per [SHC 263.2]. The following portions have been officially designated as Scenic Highway and are signed:

• From SANTA CRUZ County Line @ SARATOGA GAP to BLANEY PLAZA. SCL 0.0/7.5. 7.5 mi in Santa Clara County. Designation #42, October 18, 1979.
• From BLANEY PLAZA to LOS GATOS City Limits. SCL 7.5/10.8. 3.4 mi in Santa Clara County. Designation #4, May 2, 1968.

[SHC 164.10] Between the north urban limits of Santa Cruz and the south urban limits of San Jose.

• California Highways: Route by Route Podcast:
  • Ep. 4.03: Route 9: Santa Cruz and Saratoga
  • Ep. 4.04: Route 9: Pre-1964 – Milpitas to Castro Valley
• California @ AARoads: California 9
• Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer): California State Route 9

The former Sign Route 9 portion of this route from US 50 (now I-580) near Hayward to near San Jose (the former LRN 5 spur towards San Jose) was part of the Pacific Highway.

The Pacific Highway portion of this route was also part of the California-Banff Beeline Highway.

In November 1957, the California Department of Highways proposed the designation I–9 for what is now I-405.

Overall statistics for Route 9:

• Total Length (1995): 39 miles
• Average Daily Traffic (1993): 3,200 to 34,500
• Mileage Classification: Rural: 18; Urbanized: 21.
• Previous Federal Aid Mileage: FAU: 20 mi; FAS: 9 mi.
• Functional Classification: Prin. Arterial: 4 mi; Minor Arterial: 16 mi; Collector: 19 mi.
• Counties Traversed: Santa Cruz and Santa Clara.

The route that would become LRN 9 was defined in the first set of highway bonds in 1909, with a rough routing of "San Fernando to San Bernardino". It was extended in 1933 to run to [LRN 2] (US 101) near Montalvo. Montvalvo is a community within the city of Ventura, CA; basically, it is near where Victoria Ave and US 101 meet.

By 1935, LRN 9 was codified in the highway code as:

1. [LRN 2] near Montalvo to [LRN 4] near San Fernando
2. San Fernando to San Bernardino

Only the first segment was a primary route. Note that LRN 2 near Montvalvo is not the current end of Sign Route 118, which corresponded to LRN 9. Why? The answer is simple: Telephone Road in Ventura was Sign Route 118 and LRN 9 between Wells Road (Sign Route 118) and US 101 near Montvalvo. What is now Route 118 to Sign Route 126 was the second segment of the original LRN 154, [LRN 9] near Saticoy to [LRN 79].

In 1957, Chapter 1911 changed the west end of the first segment from [LRN 2] (US 101) near Montalvo to [LRN 79] (Route 126) near Saticoy, and replaced San Fernando with "near San Fernando" in the second segment. This seemingly changed the routing of Sign Route 118 to continue along Los Angeles Avenue to Sign Route 126; Telephone Avenue was no longer a sign route and was returned to state maintenance. However, USGS maps until 1964 continued to show Sign Route 118 continuing along Telephone Road.

The signage for LRN 9 was as follows:

1. [LRN 2] (US 101) near Montalvo to LRN 9 near Saticoy: This was along Telephone Road, and was signed as Sign Route 118 at least until 1957. This is currently not in the state highway system.
2. From LRN 79 near Saticoy to Telephone Road: This was originally part of LRN 154. It was seemingly signed as Sign Route 118 after 1957. This is currently Route 118.
3. Telephone Road at Wells Road near Saticoy to LRN 4 near San Fernando. This segment was signed as Sign Route 118. It originally ran across Los Angeles Avenue, Santa Susanna Pass, Topanga Canyon (although the portion of Topanga N of Devonshire was Santa Susanna Pass Road), Devonshire (once that was completed) to Sepulveda, up Sepulveda to Brand, up Brand to San Fernando Road (LRN 4).
4. From near San Fernando to Pasadena. This routing jogged on Truman, continued up Maclay to Foothill, and then SE along Foothill into the Pasadena Area. Around the Devils Gate Reservoir, there was a small freeway segment [since bypassed], connecting it to Cañada and Montana. It then ran along Montana to Lincoln Ave, then down Fair Oaks to Colorado St. in Pasadena, where it ended at US 66. Portions of Foothill Blvd have been known as Horsethief Trail, Michigan Avenue, Tujunga Valley Avenue and Mulholland Street. Before that freeway segment was built, it appears to have run (this is in the reverse direction): N up Lincoln Avenue to Montana, turned W to Arroyo Blvd, N to La Canada Verdugo Road, W over the dam, continued NW past Oak Grove Park on the R, skirted Flintridge Country Club on the E, joined Michigan Ave (now Foothill Blvd), continued W. The entire portion from the intersection of Cañada Ave and Montana to Foothill Blvd is now under I-210; the former Country Club is now the site of two high schools. As of the late 1950s, Route 11 (now Route 110) turned NW from Lincoln on Cañada Ave to Montana, then followed (according to the map) Montana two blocks to Arroyo. The present Cañada Ave. still joins Montana at approximately the same place, but I-210 is built over the continuation W to La Cañada Verdugo Road, now under the overpass at Arroyo Blvd. This routing was signed as Sign Route 118, and was US 99 between 1926 and the early 1930s.
5. From Pasadena to LRN 31 (Mt. Vernon Avenue) in San Bernardino: This was generally US 66 (and, between 1926 and 1934, US 99). LRN 9 started at Fair Oaks and Colorado. The routing of LRN 9 through Pasadena was Colorado Blvd (as US 66); turning onto Sierra Madre, across Foothill Blvd, and down Mountain back down to Huntington (US 66 before 1933, unsigned after 1933). LRN 161, post 1933, was signed as US 66 and used Colorado, Colorado Place, and Huntington Ave to Mountain, where LRN 161 ended. LRN 9 continued as US 66 along Huntington (which turns into Foothill in Azusa); and then along Foothill Blvd, Alosta, and then Foothill again into San Bernardino (where Foothill turns into 5^th Street), ending at Mt Vernon Avenue where US 66 continued N along Mt Vernon, cosigned with US 91 and US 395. LRN 9 later applied to the routing of what is now I-210 between Pasadena (the Route 134/I-210 junction) to Route 30 (now Route 210). Route 30, however, was LRN 190; the older US 66 routing remained LRN 9.
6. Along 5^th Street in San Bernardino (although earlier routings used 4^th Street). Maps indicate that LRN 9 continued along 5^th Street in San Bernardino to end at LRN 43, Sign Route 18. This was not originally signed as US 66; it is unclear if there was any signage. However, in 1957, legislation deleted the branch of LRN 31 along Mt. Vernon to LRN 9, and the other segment of LRN 31 was nebulously defined as "San Bernardino". The period of 1957 to 1960 was a period of construction in the San Bernardino Area, especially of a new LRN 43/LRN 31 freeway that would eventually carry US 395 and US 91 between Grand Terrace and Verdemont. Things were a bit loosey-goosey with respect to LRNs: but by 1960, US 91/US 395/US 66 had moved to the LRN 43/LRN 31 freeway, and thus this segment of 5^th Street (and LRN 9) was signed as part of US 66

Additional San Bernardino Notes

The original LRNs in San Bernardino were equally convoluted according to Scott Parker (Sparker). The "spine" LRN through the region was LRN 43, which followed Sign Route 18 throughout the region; a number of long-distance LRNs terminated at this legislative route. LRN 26 was US 99 south of the 3^rd Street/E Street intersection, following US 99 all the way to the Mexican border at Calexico. LRN 31, which carried US 66 over Cajon Pass to Barstow, and US 91 (which was not extended south of Barstow until 1947) northeast from there to Nevada, began at the junction of Mt. Vernon and 3^rd Street and was the Mt. Vernon RR bridge and US 66 east from there. LRN 9 was US 66, and originally US 99, extending west from LRN 31 on 4^th Street toward Pasadena. Sign Route 30/Highland Ave. was LRN 190, and North E Street and Kendall Ave. Business US 66 was LRN 191.

Scott Parker (Sparker) noted in that discussion that this arrangement didn't last long; the bridge over the Santa Ana River connecting Colton Ave. in the south reaches of San Bernardino with Valley Blvd. in central Colton was completed circa 1931; LRN 26 and US 99 were rerouted west along that alignment. South E Street from the rerouted US 99/LRN 26 became a realigned but unsigned LRN 43. 3^rd Street, still carrying Sign Route 18, became an eastern extension of LRN 9, which terminated at 3^rd and E Street at LRN 43 (Sign Route 18 still turned north there). The entirety of Mt. Vernon north of Valley Blvd. in Colton was reassigned to LRN 31; it still carried Sign Route 18 south of 3^rd Street until US 395 was commissioned in 1934 to join it. US 99/LRN 26 continued west from Colton on Valley Blvd. into Ontario, where it was renamed Holt Ave.

Similar to 4^th street west of Mt. Vernon, 3^rd Street past the original Santa Fe depot (now used by Metrolink & Amtrak) east of the Mt. Vernon bridge features portions of the original segmented concrete pavement that once carried US 99 & Signed Route 18. The east-west Valley Blvd. alignment that eventually became US 99/LRN 26 was in place as a county facility at the time US 99 was routed through central San Bernardino, with its east end at or near Mt. Vernon Ave. in Colton. The delay involved with realigning US 99 was due to the difficulty experienced in constructing bridges over the Santa Ana River; the riverbed consists of deep layers of sand and silt lying in scooped-out sandstone with no supporting bedrock to speak of. Bridge construction over such a "waterway" required placing concrete caissons deep into the sand and waiting for them to settle before constructing bridge piers upwards from them -- then letting the whole assembly settle even more before extending a bridge deck over the piers. This method has continued to this day; the I-10, I-215, and Route 210 bridges over the Santa Ana River were deployed in a similar manner. The original US 99 E Street bridge was the only exception; it was a relatively light "trestle" structure sitting atop the silt layers; it was replaced by the present caisson-based structure in the mid-'60's, a few years after the original I-10 and I-15 (now I-215) bridges were built.
(Source: Scott Parker (Sparker) @ AAroads, 7/7/2016)

A route approximating LRN 9 was part of the National Old Trails Road between San Bernardino and Pasadena.

This route (both present-day Route 66 and as historic US 66) was part of the "New Santa Fe Trail".

This route (both present-day Route 66 and as historic US 66) appears to have been part of the "National Park to Park Highway", and the "Pikes Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway".

• ⦅Routing⦆
• ⦅Post 1964 Signage History⦆
• ⦅Pre 1964 Signage History⦆
• ⦅Status⦆
  • Santa Cruz (Route 1) to Boulder Creek (SCR 13.08)
  • Boulder Creek (SCR 13.08) to Route 35 (SCR 27.072)
  • Route 35 (SCR 27.072) to Route 17 near Rinconada
• ⦅Naming⦆
• ⦅Scenic Route⦆
• ⦅Interregional Route⦆
• ⦅Other WWW Links⦆
• ⦅National Trails⦆
• ⦅Interstate Submissions⦆
• ⦅Statistics⦆
• ⦅Pre-1964 Legislative Route⦆
• ⦅Acronyms and Explanations⦆