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State Route 43

Click here for a key to the symbols used. An explanation of acronyms may be found at the bottom of the page.


Routing Routing

  1. Rte 43 Seg 1Route 119 to Route 46 in Wasco.

    Post 1964 Signage History Post 1964 Signage History

    In 1963, this route was defined to run "Route 119 to Route 99 near Selma via the vicinity of Wasco." In 1986, Chapter 928 introduced a discontinuity in Wasco, dividing the route into two segments.

    Pre 1964 Signage History Pre 1964 Signage History

    This segment was signed as Route 43 before 1964, but was not part of the initial 1934 signage of routes. It was LRN 139 (defined in 1939) between US 399 (LRN 140; present-day Route 119) and US 466 (LRN 33; present-day Route 46).

    Status Status

    Route 43/Route 119 Roundabout (KER 0.1/0.4)

    In May 2016, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project that will construct a roundabout at the intersection of Route 43, Route 119, and Enos Lane near the city of Taft. The project is programmed in the 2014 State Highway Operation and Protection Program. The total programmed amount is $9,761,000 for capital and support. Construction is estimated to begin in Fiscal Year 2017-18. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope programmed by the Commission in the 2014 State Highway Operation and Protection Program. A copy of the MND has been provided to Commission staff. The project will result in less than significant impacts to the environment after mitigation. The following resource area 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, environmentally sensitive areas will be established for the Giant kangaroo rat, Tipton kangaroo rat, San Joaquin kit fox, and the Blunt-nosed leopard lizard, pre-construction field surveys will be conducted, and ESA fencing will be used.

    In June 2018, the CTC was informed of the following allocation: 2.5f(3) Item 3:$5,146,000 Kern 06-Ker-43 0.1/0.4. PPNO 6698. Route 43 Near Bakersfield, at the intersection of Route 43 and Route 119. Outcome/Output: Construct roundabout to reduce the number and severity of traffic collisions.
    (Source: CTC Agenda, June 2018 Agenda Item 2.5f(3) Item 3)

    In December 2018, the CTC received an informational report of an allocation for $1,250,000 for: 06-Ker-43 5.8/6.2 Route 43 Construct a roundabout at Stockdale Highway.
    (Source: December 2018 CTC Minutes, Agenda Item 2.5f(4) Item 1)

    In August 2011, the CTC approved a locally-administered STIP project for $42,000 in Wasco, from Filburn Avenue to Poso Drive (~ KER R23.626 to KER R24.121), that will construct 3,357 linear feet of median curbs, 2,114 linear feet of curb and gutter, 12,890 square feet of sidewalk, 2,367 linear feet of 6-foot tall block walls, and one mile of bike lanes.

    Santa Fe Way/Los Angeles Street Roundabout (06-Ker-43 15.6/16.0)

    Rte 43 Santa Fe Way/Los Angeles St RoundaboutIn January 2021, the CTC amended the following project into the SHOPP: (1a) #14: 06-Ker-43 15.6/16.0 PPNO 7044 ProjID 0620000038 EA 1A470 Route 43 in Shafter, at the intersection with Santa Fe Way and Los Angeles Street.  Construct roundabout. PA&ED $1,200K; PS&E $2,000K; R/W Sup $950K; Con Sup $1,900K; R/W Cap $1,502K; Const Cap $6,065K; TOTAL $13,617K. Begin Const 1/6/2025.
    (Source: January 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1a) #14)

    In January 2021, the CTC approved the following pre-construction support phase allocation(s): (2a) #20. $1,200,000 (PA&ED). 06-Ker-43 15.6/16.0. PPNO 06-7044; ProjID 0620000038; EA 1A470. Route 43 In Shafter, at the intersection with Santa Fe Way and Los Angeles Street. Construct roundabout. (Concurrent Amendment under SHOPP Amendment 20H-005; January 2021.)  Prog Year 23-24.
    (Source: January 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(2a) #20)

    In December 2022, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding the following project for which a MND has been completed: Route 43 in Kern County (06-Ker-43, PM 15.6/16.0). Construct a single-lane roundabout to improve safety and reduce accidents at the intersection of Los Angeles Avenue, Santa Fe Way and Beech Avenue, in the City of Shafter, on SR 43, in Kern County. (PPNO 06-7044). The project is located on Route 43 from postmile 15.6 to 16.0, in Kern County. The Department proposes to replace the intersection at Santa Fe Way and Los Angeles Street with a roundabout. The project is currently programmed in the 2022 SHOPP for a total of $12,367,000 which includes Right of Way (support and capital) and Construction (support and capital). Construction is estimated to begin 2023-24. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope as programmed by the Commission in the 2022 SHOPP. A copy of the MND has been provided to Commission staff. The project will result in less than significant impacts to the environment after mitigation. The following resource areas may be impacted by the project: farmland. Avoidance and minimization measures will reduce any potential effects on the environment. These measures include, but are not limited to, conservation easement under the Agricultural Land Easement Program.
    (Source: December 2022 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(1))

    In December 2022, the CTC approved the following pre-construction phase SHOPP allocation: $1,700,000. 06-Ker-43 15.6/16. PPNO 06-7044; ProjID 0620000038; EA 1A470. Route 43 In Shafter, at the intersection with Santa Fe Way and Los Angeles Street. Construct roundabout. (Additional $250,000 contribution for PA&ED and $1,250,000 for PS&E from the City of Shafter). Concurrent consideration of funding under Resolution E-22-96; December 2022. Allocation: PS&E $750,000; R/W Sup $950,000.
    (Source: December 2022 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(2a) #7)

    Naming Naming

    This is currently called "Enos" Lane. (~ KER 0.1 to KER 13.506)

    Ricardo Barraza Memorial HighwayThe portion of Route 43 from East Los Angeles Street (approx. KER-043-15.83) to Fresno Avenue (approx. KER-043-17.968) in the City of Shafter in the County of Kern as the "Staff Sergeant Ricardo “Ricky” Barraza Memorial Highway". It was named in memory of Staff Sergeant Ricardo “Ricky” Barraza, who was born inMay 1981, in Toppenish, Washington. Having moved with his family at a young age to Shafter, California, Ricky demonstrated his athletic talents in basketball, football, and track while attending Shafter High School. Following his graduation from Shafter High School in 1999, Ricky chose to dedicate his life to serving his country and enlisted in the United States Army on August 5, 1999. Staff Sergeant Ricky Barraza brought distinction to his country as a six-time veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, having been deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. On March 18, 2006, during his third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he had been promoted to squad leader and assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Fort Lewis, Washington, Staff Sergeant Ricky Barraza, at 24 years of age, was killed by enemy small arms fire in the line of duty during a combat mission in western Iraq while helping to evacuate a building. Staff Sergeant Ricky Barraza, at the time of his passing, left his parents, his three sisters, his brother, his fiancee, and her daughter. Staff Sergeant Ricky Barraza received various awards and decorations during his service in the United States Army, including the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf cluster, and the Army Good Conduct Medal with a two-knot rope, among many others. Staff Sergeant Ricky Barraza also was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Purple Heart Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Named by Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 70, 8/30/2017, Res. Chapter 134, Statutes of 2017.
    (Images sources: KGET, LA Times)

    This segment was historically called the "Central Valley Highway" (~ KER 15.855 to KER R25.113).


  2. Rte 43 Seg 2Route 46 in Wasco to Route 99 near Selma.

    Post 1964 Signage History Post 1964 Signage History

    In 1963, this route was defined to run "Route 119 to Route 99 near Selma via the vicinity of Wasco." In 1986, Chapter 928 introduced a discontinuity in Wasco, dividing the route into two segments.

    Pre 1964 Signage History Pre 1964 Signage History

    This segment was signed as Route 43 before 1964, but was not part of the initial 1934 signage of routes. It was LRN 135 (originally defined in 1933, extended and rerouted in 1953, 1959, and 1961) between US 99 (LRN 4) and US 466 (LRN 33; present-day Route 46).

    Status Status

    J Street Roundabout (06-Ker-43 PM 25.2/25.4)

    J Street Roundabout (06-Ker-43 PM 25.2/25.4)In May 2019, the CTC approved adding the following into the 2018 SHOPP: Collision Reduction #26: 06-Ker-43 PM 25.2/25.4. PPNO 6982. Proj ID 0618000131. On Route 43 in Wasco, from Route 46 to south of Gromer Avenue. Improve safety by constructing a roundabout. Timetable: PA&ED: 12/1/2020; R/W: 4/1/2022; RTL: 4/15/2022; BC: 9/20/2022. Est. total: $10,100K. The CTC also approved the following SHOPP Support Phase allocation: 06-Ker-43 25.2/25.4. Route 43 In Wasco, from Route 46 to south of Gromer Avenue. Improve safety by constructing a roundabout. (Concurrent amendment under SHOPP Amendment 18H-009.) PPNO 6982. ProjID 0618000131. PA&ED $1,400,000.
    (Source: May 2019 CTC Minutes, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1) Item 26; Agenda Item 2.5b.(2a) Item 17)

    The 2020 SHOPP, approved in May 2020, included the following Collision Reduction item of interest (carried over from the 2018 SHOPP): 06-Kern-43 PM 25.2/25.4 PPNO 6982 Proj ID 0618000131 EA 0X770. Route 43 in Wasco, from Route 46 to south of Gromer Avenue. Improve safety by constructing a roundabout. Programmed in FY21-22, with construction scheduled to start in Sept. 2022. Total project cost is $10,100K, with $5,000K being capital (const and right of way) and $5,100K being support (engineering, environmental, etc.),
    (Source: 2020 Approved SHOPP a/o May 2020)

    In June 2021, the CTC amended this project in the SHOPP: 06-Ker-43 25.2/25.4. PPNO 6982 ProjID 0618000131 EA 06-0X770. Route 43 In Wasco, from Route 46 to south of Gromer Avenue. Improve safety by constructing a roundabout. Note: Delay construction to FY22-23 due to a delay to relocate transmission lines that are in conflict with the roundabout footprint. The delay in relocation is due to the utility company's required coordination with the California High-Speed Rail project.
    (Source: June 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1d) #40)

    In December 2021, the CTC approved the following project for future consideration of funding: 06-Ker-43, PM 25.1/25.3; 06-Ker-46, PM 51.0/51.4. Wasco State Route 43/State Route 46 Intersection Improvements. Construct a single-lane roundabout on a two-lane roundabout footprint and other improvements at the east junction intersection of Route 43 and Route 46 and J Street in Kern County. (MND) (PPNO 6982) (SHOPP). This project is located on Route 43 and Route 46, in Kern County. The Department proposes to construct a single-lane roundabout on a two-lane roundabout footprint. Additional improvements include drainage elements, lighting system, flashing beacon system, traffic monitoring system, sidewalks and buffers to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. The project is currently programmed in the 2020 SHOPP for a total of $10,100,000, which includes Construction (capital and support) and Right of Way (support). Construction is estimated to begin in 2023. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope as programmed by the Commission in the 2020 SHOPP. A copy of the MND has been provided to Commission staff.  The project will result in less than significant impacts to the environment after mitigation.
    (Source: December 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.2c.(1))

    In December 2021, the CTC also approved the following SHOPP Support Phase allocation: 06-Ker-43 25.2/25.4. PPNO 06-6982; ProjID 0618000131; EA 0X770. Route 43 In Wasco, from Route 46 to south of Gromer Avenue. Improve safety by constructing a roundabout. (Concurrent consideration of funding under Resolution E-21-102; December 2021.) (Six month time extension for PS&E and R/W  Sup approved under Waiver 21-59; June 2021.) Allocation: PS&E $1,400,000; R/W SUP $1,000,000.
    (Source: December 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(2a) #6)

    Lastly, in December 2021, it was reported that a RAISE grant (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, nee the TIGER grant program) for $24 million will go to the California High-Speed Rail Authority for the Wasco SR 46 Improvement Project. This is for improvements to Route 46 where it crosses the under-construction high-speed rail line. The project will expand about a half-mile section of the road, lower it to pass safely under existing railroad tracks and future high-speed rail tracks, and build a roundabout at the intersection with Route 43. It also includes some sidewalk and ADA improvements, as well as bike lanes through the area.
    (Source: Streetsblog LA, 11/30/2021)

    In June 2022, the CTC amended this project in the SHOPP as follows: 06-Ker-43 25.2/25.4. PPNO 06-6982; ProjID 0618000131; EA 0X770. Route 43 In Wasco, from Route 46 to south of Gromer Avenue.  Improve safety by constructing a roundabout. Note: Delay project due to acquisition of contaminated parcels required for utility relocations which need to be completed on an adjacent High Speed Rail Authority (HSR) project before this project construction can begin. Increase construction capital due to increases in asphalt quantity.  Increase right of way capital to account for escalation attributed to delivery delay. Amendments ($ × 1,000):FY 22-23 ⇒ 23-24; R/W Cap: $1,100 ⇒ $1,200; Const Cap $14,900 ⇒ $11,700; TOTAL $24,560 ⇒ $21,360.
    (Source: June 2022 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1d) #43)

    Widening - Corcoran to Selma (KIN 0.00 to FRE 9.141)

    There are plans to widen this to a four lane expressway from the Kings County line to Route 99 in Selma in Fresno County (~ FRE 0.000 to FRE 9.141). This is TCRP Project #94. However, due to budgetary problems, work on this has been suspended. Funding was deallocated due to inactivity in September 2005.

    In March 2016. it was reported that Kings County had a 20-year wish list totaling approximately $1.2 billion to transition a number of highways to four lanes: Route 43 from Corcoran to Selma (~ KIN 0.000 to KIN 27.286); Route 41 from Lemoore to Kettleman City and Route 198 from Naval Air Station Lemoore to I-5. However, Kings County is only expected to get $3.5 million from the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) designed for capacity increasing projects in the 2013-2014 period.
    (Source: Andy3175 @ AAroad, March 2016; HartfordSentinal, 9/7/2013).

    Corcoran Roundabout (~ KIN 2.334)

    Caltrans is exploring creating a roundabout on this route at the intersection of Route 43/Route 137 in Corcoran (~ KIN 2.334). Other potential/planned roundabout locations in the San Joaquin Valley include Route 145/Jensen near Kerman, Route 168/Auberry Road in Prather, Route 155/Browning Road in Delano, Route 216/Route 245 in Woodlake, Route 190/Road 284 east of Porterville, and Route 190/Road 152 east of Tipton. A 2007 study of 55 roundabouts in the U.S. found a 35% reduction in accidents and a 90% reduction in fatal accidents when intersections with stop signs or signals were converted to roundabouts. It costs about the same to build a roundabout as to put up traffic signals, and they need significantly less maintenance than traffic signal intersections -- about 60% to 90% less, depending on how much landscaping work is required.

    In May 2016, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project in Kings County that will construct a roundabout at the intersection of Route 43 and Route 137 near the city of Corcoran. The project is programmed in the 2014 State Highway Operation and Protection Program. The total programmed amount is $4,400,000 for capital and support. Construction is estimated to begin in Fiscal Year 2016-17. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope programmed by the Commission in the 2014 State Highway Operation and Protection Program. A copy of the ND has been provided to Commission staff. The project will result in less than significant impacts to the environment.

    Lacy Blvd Roundabout (~ KIN 18.497)

    In May 2016, the CTC authorized $425,000 for a project in King County near Hanford that will construct a roundabout at the intersection of Route 43 and realign Lacey Boulevard. Outcome/Output: Construct a roundabout to improve capacity operations and safety.

    In December 2016, it was reported that the the new roundabout was basically complete, but was still is missing an even grade and proper signage. The far right lane in the roundabout accesses Route 43 north while the left goes to Lacey Blvd westbound.
    (Source: Tom Fearer (Max R) on AARoads, April 2017)

    In October 2006, the CTC had a resolution to relinquish right of way in the city of Hanford, at 0.5 mile north westerly of Fargo Avenue (~ KIN 21.007), consisting of frontage road.

    In October 2018, the CTC received an informational report of an allocation of $1,227,000 for the following SHOPP project: Fresno 06-Fre-43 0.0/7.3. Route 43 Near Selma, from Kings County line to East Mountain View Avenue. Outcome/Output: Improve safety by installing rumble strips and updating pavement delineation. This project will reduce the number and severity of collisions.
    (Source: October 2018 CTC Agenda Item 2.5f.(3) Item 7)

    In May 2009, the CTC relinquished right of way in the county of Fresno along Route 43 on Conejo Avenue (~ FRE 5.343), consisting of a reconstructed county road.

    Naming Naming

    The portion of this route from Route 46 in Wasco to Selma (~ KER 25.277 to FRE 9.188) was historically called the "Central Valley Highway".

    Keith M. Giles Memorial InterchangeThe interchange at Route 43 and Route 198 in the County of Kings (approx. KIN-043-18.256) is named the "CHP Officer Keith M. Giles Memorial Interchange". Keith Melvin Giles was born in July 1940, to Melvin and Thelma Giles, in Tulare, California. Keith Giles had three siblings: Gary, who was Keith’s twin brother, Linda, and Greg. Keith Giles graduated from Corcoran High School in 1957, graduated from the College of the Sequoias shortly thereafter, and also attended Fresno State College. Keith Giles proudly served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965 and achieved the rank of corporal. Prior to becoming a California Highway Patrol officer, Keith Giles worked as a farmer and was actively involved in the community. Officer Giles graduated from the California Highway Patrol Academy on May 28, 1970, with CTC I-70 and, upon graduation, he was assigned to the Santa Fe Springs Area where he proudly served for approximately four years. Officer Giles, badge number 7403, was killed in the line of duty on August 25, 1974, while making a traffic stop shortly after 2:00 a.m. He was standing on the left side of the stopped vehicle when a passing car drifted over the edge of the roadway and struck him, killing him almost instantly. The errant driver apparently dozed off and may have been under the influence of alcohol. Officer Giles was a hardworking, dedicated officer who loved his job and enjoyed the people he worked with. He was known for his devotion to his family and his love of law enforcement. Named by Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 159, Res. Chapter 123, Statutes of 2016, on August 16, 2016.
    (Image sources: Hanford Sentinel)


Freeway Freeway

[SHC 253.3] From Route 5 to Route 99 near Selma. Added to the Freeway and Expressway system in 1959.

Other WWW Links Other WWW Links

Statistics Statistics

Overall statistics for Route 43:

Pre-1964 Legislative Route Pre-1964 Legislative Route

1944 MapThe route that would become LRN 43 was first defined in 1917 by Chapter 697, which called for inclusion in the state highway system of the route "...beginning at a point in Waterman Cyn at the termination of the pavement of the San Bernardino County highway system, thence following the meanderings of the road known as the "Crest Drive" into Bear Valley, ending at a point directly opposite the most easterly point of Bear Lake." The 1919 Third Bond Issue extended the route from Deep Creek to Metcalf Creek, specifically "Deep Creek easterly via Bear Valley Dam to the county road at Metcalf Creek in the Angeles National Forest (Arrowbear to the Eastern End of Big Bear Lake)." This ran along the N side of Big Bear Lake.

In 1931, it was extended further, from [LRN 43], Waterman Canyon via Santa Ana Canyon to Newport Beach. This was a routing from San Bernardino to the coast through the cities lying northeast and southwest of the Santa Ana Rivers. It represented the most direct line to the coast through an area that includes Colton, Riverside, Corona, Santa Ana, and Orange. The route was well-fed by local inter-community and inter-county traffic. There was also a large amount of recreational traffic seeking the mountain through San Bernardino, Redlands, and Riverside. As there was rapid development in the area, the state wanted to adopt the route while they could.

It is unclear, for a time, whether there was a distinct routing between LRN 9 and LRN 26. This is illustrated in the 1944 map to the right.

Note: There are some additional details on the historical routing of LRN 43 in the discussion of US 99 in the San Bernardino area, extracted from a discussion by Scott Parker on AAroads.

In 1933, the route was extended further, from [LRN 31] from Victorville to [LRN 43] near Big Bear Lake via Baldwin Lake. It was also extended to complete the circle around Big Bear Lake. Thus, the route was codified in the 1935 highway code as:

Newport Beach to [LRN 31] near Victorville, via Santa Ana Canyon, San Bernardino, Waterman Canyon, "Crest Drive" into Bear Valley, Big Bear Lake and Baldwin Lake. [LRN 43] includes a highway around Big Bear Lake.

In 1961, Chapter 1146 amended the definition to delete the reference to “"Crest Drive" into Bear Valley”.

Signage on the route was as follows: LRN 43 was signed as Route 55 until the Route 55/US 91 junction (present-day Route 55/Route 91 junction), and then as US 91 into San Bernardino (now Route 91 to Riverside, and I-215 to San Bernardino). Between present-day I-10 and Route 30 in San Bernardino, the original surface routing of LRN 43 is now I-215 and Route 259.

From Route 30 in San Bernardino N, LRN 43 was signed as Route 18 (and encompassed all of the present day Route 18 between San Bernardino and Victorville, except for the portion around Big Bear Lake). The northern route around the lake was also LRN 43, and was originally Route 18 but is now Route 38.


Acronyms and Explanations:


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