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State Route 126

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


Routing Routing

Rte 126From Route 101 near Ventura to Route 5.

The relinquished former portion of Route 126 within the City of Santa Clarita is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption under Section 81.

Post 1964 Signage History Post 1964 Signage History

▸In 1963, Route 126 was defined as "(a) Route 101 near Ventura to Route 5. (b) Route 5 to Route 14 near Solemint."

On June 26, 1964, a 9.4-mile section of the Route 126 Freeway was adopted between the Golden State and Antelope Valley Freeways, estimated to cost $18 million.

Between US 101 and I-5, the route for a freeway was adopted in 1958. After planning studies, the project was terminated because of financial and technical problems. A 1973 estimate for the construction of a freeway through the Santa Clara River Valley was $130,000,000. Extensive flood protection would have been required through this narrow river valley. Because the financing for this project could not be foreseen within a 20-year period, and the need for a freeway did not develop, the 1958 freeway adoption was rescinded in 1974.
(Source: kernals12 on AARoads, “Re: CA-126 eventually to be expanded to a full freeway from 5-101?”, April 2022)

Rte 126 former Seg (b)Prior to 2001, there was an additional segment that ran from Route 5 to Route 14 near Solemint. Relinquishment of this segment was authorized by AB 635, Chapter 575, 10/11/2001. The bill required that Santa Clarita keep signs showing the way for travelers to get to the rest of Route 126. The section (which is from PM R5.8 to T12.707) was up for relinquishment in September 2002.

The non-freeway surface street routing of former segment (b) was along Magic Mountain Parkway (former Route 126), and then what is now called Railroad Ave and Newhall Ave (formerly, San Fernando Road). Evidence of this remains at the Elsmere Creek Bridge № 53C2320, which is at PM LA T12.51, just as Newhall Ave meets Route 14.

Rte 5 to Rte 14 Unadoption of RouteIn 1963, a freeway routing was adopted between I-5 and Route 14. The rough freeway routing was roughly where Newhall Ranch Road is now, but instead of using Golden Valley (the Cross Valley Connector route, see below), it would have connected to Via Princesa, and then along Via Princesa to Route 14. If it had been constructed, there would have been an interchange at Rye Canyon, McBean, and Bouquet Canyon. In 1977, the CHC published a notice to un-adopt the 9.4 mi segment of the Route 126 freeway between I-5 and Route 14.
(Source: The Signal, 12/16/1977 via Joel Windmiller, 2/25/2023)

When they built the Antelope Valley Fwy (Route 14), they also built a stub of this freeway, which juts out as a long overpass on Via Princesa. You can only get on that stub by going northbound on Route 14. The exit is called "Canyon Country/Sierra Hwy". Michael Ballard has a good page on the Antelope Valley/Santa Paula Freeway interchange, including a map of the design of the interchange.

▸In 2003, AB 1717 (Ch. 525, 9/25/2003) updated the legislative definition to reflect the relinquishment.The relinquished former portion of Route 126 within the City of Santa Clarita is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption as a state highway.

The segment from Route 5 to Route 14 was functionally replaced with the Cross Valley Connector (see below). According to the City of Santa Clarita, The Cross Valley Connector (CVC) is an 8½ mile roadway that connects to various streets, running from the I-5/Route 126 to Route 14. It is a $230+ Million project, and was completed in 2006.

Pre 1964 Signage History Pre 1964 Signage History

In 1934, Route 126 was signed along the route from Jct. US 101 near Ventura to Jct. US 99 at Castaic, via Santa Paula. It was LRN 79. The portion between Castaic Junction (US 99/I-5) and US 101 (LRN 2)) was defined in 1931. The portion from US 99/I-5 to Route 14 was originally part of the 1909 definition of LRN 4; it was routed off LRN 4 in 1939. It was adopted as a conventional highway by California Highway Commission on June 3, 1938. It was adopted as a freeway on April 19, 1956 from US 101 S of the City of Ventura NE-ly to the City of Santa Paula.

The original routing of Route 126 was:
(Source: Gribblenation Blog - California State Route 126; from CA 23 east to Santa Clarita)

The second segment of the route, defined after 1939, continued across the Ridge Route (now Magic Mountain Parkway) over to San Fernando Road (now Main Street) over to Sierra Highway (US 6, Sign Route 7, now Route 14). The fact that, pre-1939, this was part of LRN 4 explains why the Ridge Route and San Fernando Road are part of the routing. This was also LRN 79.

There appears to have been a spur of the route, according to a 1943 USGS map, that ran along LRN 154 (now Route 232) down Vineyard, to Route 1 near El Rio (LRN 2). It multiplexed LRN 2, leaving LRN 2 along Saviers Road down to Hueneme Road, and then across Hueneme Road to US 101A (LRN 2). This appears to correspond to a 1951 addition to the route -- but "The junction of [LRN 60] and Saviers Road in Ventura County, along the route of said road to [LRN 2] near El Rio." is Oxnard Blvd, and it doesn't correspond with the Seviers Road and Hueneme Road routing.

Status Status

Route 101 to Route 5

Much of this is freeway. As of 4/94, only the portion from Route 101 to Santa Paula, and from about .5 mi E of Route 5 to Route 5, was freeway. As of 2001, the entire route is, at minimum, 4 lanes.

In January 2002 and April 2002, the CTC voted on relinquishment of the portion of the route in the City of Santa Paula that was bypassed by the new freeway portion, PM 13.5.

In December 2019, the CTC authorized vacation of right of way in the city of Santa Paula along Route 126 (Telegraph Road) between Padre Lane and realigned Route 126 (07-Ven-126-PM R13.3/R13.6), consisting of superseded highway right of way no longer needed for State highway purposes.
(Source: December 2019 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.3d)

Route 126 "Blood Alley" Safety Improvements (~ VEN R14.782 to VEN 18.62)

In March 2016, it was noted that the segment of Route 126 E of Santa Paula is undivided,and has seen more than its share of fatalities for decades. In 2007, after a rash of head-on collisions, Caltrans proposed building a concrete median between Santa Paula and Fillmore. The agency abandoned that idea when people who lived in and in between the two cities objected, in part because a median would make it difficult to turn on and off the highway from the roads that cross it. The latest proposal is to install a series of four roundabouts: one located halfway between Hobson Road and Fleischer Redmand Road (~ VEN R14.782); one at the Toland Road intersection (~ VEN R15.989); one just west of Spalding Drive (~ VEN 17.952); and one at Oak Village Road (VEN 18.62), just west of Old Telegraph Road. It should be noted that roundabouts are Caltrans' top choice at the moment, but the agency is also considering a concrete barrier or raised island in the median. The goal of any of those options would be to reduce the risk of cross-median head-on accidents, the most likely to cause serious injury or death. The goal is drafting a detailed analysis of the project over 2016 and securing final approval in the summer of 2017.
(Source: Andy3175 @ AAroads, Feb 2016; VCStar 2/27/2016)

In October 2016, there was another article on the safety problems on Route 126, again on the portion between Santa Paula and Fillmore. On the portion that stretches from US 101 Freeway in Ventura to the Fillmore city limits, approximately 21 miles, three fatal collisions occurred in 2015, and two have occurred in 2016. A Road Safety Assessment, studying Route 126 from Hallock Drive in Santa Paula to E Street in Fillmore, a distance of about 7 miles, was conducted in 2014 by an independent group, with the participation of Caltrans. It showed that out of 320 total crashes that occurred from 2006 through 2012, there were nine fatalities and 111 injury crashes. 36% were in some way attributed to speeding, 28% were improper turns, and 6% were coded as “influence alcohol” as the primary contributing factor. Three other crashes involved a driver “Under Drug Influence” and 10 more crashes involved drivers who were suffering from “fatigue.” Frequent collisions also occur due to orchards surrounding Route 126 and it being a two-lane highway. Trucks account for approximately 10 to 15% of the traffic on this stretch of Route 126, according to the Road Safety Assessment. Average daily traffic and truck counts are both expected to increase with the proposed developments at Newhall Ranch (21,000 dwelling units) and possibly at Limoneira East (up to 1,500 dwelling units). The Road Safety Assessment and Comeaux also pointed out that traffic along this corridor comes from three primary uses: agriculture, residential and the through traffic traveling between I-5 and the Pacific Coast, crossing through the cities of Santa Paula and Fillmore. Route 126 is also a designated bike route. To address concerns regarding cross-median collisions and fatalities, Caltrans initiated a median-barrier project, reduced the posted speed limit, installed speed feedback signs and rumble strips, and requested the Road Safety Assessment with the Federal Highway Administration. Other measures considered include a concrete median barrier or a raised median island with visual markers. However, a median-barrier significantly reduces the places where drivers can make left turns. Collisions are reduced, but if drivers can’t make left turns, they will have to drive some distance to a place where they can make a U-turn and come back to make a right turn. So as part of a possible median barrier project, Caltrans is considering building four roundabouts that would be spaced along Route 126 to give drivers convenient places to make U-turns so they can go back to where they want to go. These would be modern roundabouts, not older traffic circles. The current study that Caltrans is conducting is expected to produce a draft environmental document in approximately spring 2017; and a final environmental document before the end of 2017.
(Source: VC Reporter, 10/5/2016)

In January 2024, Caltrans released the draft 2024 SHOPP, which contained the following project: 07-Ventura-126 T16.54. PPNO 07-5676; ProjID 0719000336; EA 36570. Route 126 Near Fillmore, at OLeary Creek Bridge № 52-0196.  Replace bridge. Proposed ($ × 1000): PA&ED: $1,349; PS&E: $2,466; R/W $1,666; R/W Sup $426; Con $11,027; Con Sup: $3,032; Total: $19,966. Begin Con: 2/26/2029.
(Source: 2024 Draft SHOPP v4.0, 1/31/2024)

Commerce Center Drive Interchange Improvements (~ LA R4.896)

In May 2010, the CTC approved for route adoption a project in Los Angeles County that will construct a grade-separated interchange at the existing signalized interchange of Route 126 and Commerce Drive near the city of Santa Clarita. As part of the project, Route 126 would be realigned to the south over a recently constructed embankment. The project is entirely funded from Metro Proposition C funds and private funds from Newhall Land and Farming Company. Total estimated project cost is $40,900,000 for capital and support. Construction is estimated to begin in Fiscal Year 2009-10. The project will involve construction activities that will result in potential impacts to water quality and noise. In addition, construction activities will be occurring in the habitat of the Peirson’s morning glory, a federal species of concern. As part of this, the CTC designated Route 126 in Los Angeles County from Castaic Creek to Route 5 west of City of Santa Clarita as a Controlled Access Highway. The proposed improvements will increase highway capacity, improve traffic operations, enhance driver safety and accommodate planned growth within the project area. Adoption of the proposed segment as a freeway is not practical because it would eliminate the Fire Department required emergency entrance/exit from an adjacent property owner. Attempts to maintain the required exits would severely reduce the commercial value of the property.

In July 2013, it was reported that a partnership of state and county agencies planned to break ground in mid-July or early August on a $50 million project to expand and reroute Route 126 near the Valencia Commerce Center. As designed, the project would entail construction of a bridge to lift Route 126 over Commerce Center Drive in Castaic, improving traffic flow on both routes. The projectwould also add new lanes on the highway, expanding it to three in each direction. The project also includes adding on- and off-ramps from Route 126 to Commerce Center Drive and Henry Mayo Drive, realigning and extending Henry Mayo Drive, adding new traffic signals at the intersection of Commerce Center and Henry Mayo drives and at the intersection of Route 126 and the access road to the Valencia Travel Village RV park. It also entails planting new landscaping to help stabilize the bank of the Santa Clara River near Route 126 and removing some invasive species to improve water flow in the river. The project is slated to be complete in late 2016. $9 million in funding for the project comes from a Metro grant, the remainder is in the form of bridge and major thoroughfare construction fees. Those fees are part of the costs that accompany residential and commercial development, such as the Newhall Ranch residential development project, which would add more than 20,000 homes along Route 126.

In October 2021, the CTC approved the following allocation for preconstruction project phases: $999,000. 07-LA-126 R2.4. PPNO 07-5732; ProjID 0720000138; EA 37070. Route 126 Near Del Valle, at the intersection with Chiquito Canyon Road. Intersection improvements. Allocation: PS&E $939,000 (Programmed) $982,000 (Allocated); R/W Sup $17,000.
(Source: October 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(2a) #13)

Note: This segment is no longer part of the state highway system.

Cross Valley ConnectorAccording to Don Hagstrom, in 1990, Caltrans offered to build a Route 126 Freeway from I-5 to Route 14. Santa Clarita declined the offer. Instead, they planned to make up for this by constructing a "Cross Valley Arterial." This would work as follows: Starting at the interchange between I-5 and Route 126, Santa Clarita will construct Newhall Ranch Road, a 6 and 8 lane arterial that will be a de-facto extension of Route 126. The road itself will not be a freeway and it will not carry the CA-126 designation (in fact, the CTC planned back then to decommission this segment). On the other side (near Route 14), Golden Valley Road would be extended westward to meet up with Newhall Ranch Road. Somewhere in here the Santa Clara River would have to be crossed. There also would be a grade-separated interchange built between Golden Valley and Soledad Canyon Road.

The SAFETEA-LU act, enacted in August 2005 as the reauthorization of TEA-21, provided the following expenditures on or near this route:

Note that the Cross Valley Connector is a surface artery across Santa Clarita, 25 miles further south, consisting of Newhall Ranch Road, about half of which is complete, and Golden Valley Road, which was recently finished. It won't be a freeway, and will probably never be used by anyone to get between I-5 and Route 14 (except maybe if an accident bogs down the freeways), as it will have at least a dozen traffic lights along its length.

Funding for the I-5 to Route 14 portion of the CVC was included in the SAFETEA-LU legislation passed in August 2005.

In January 2016, it was reported that the Santa Clarita City Council passed a resolution to rename the Cross Valley Connector as the Santa Clarita Veterans Parkway in honor of the more than 10,000 servicemen and women that reside in Santa Clarita” after a unanimous vote by the city council. The Cross Valley Connector is an 8.5 mile segment of roadway within the city of Santa Clarita that starts from the intersection of Newhall Ranch Road and I-5, continues through the intersection where Newhall Ranch Road turns into Golden Valley Road, and ends at the intersection of Golden Valley Road and Route 14. Two bridges along the Cross Valley Connector have received formal recognition, including the Fallen Warriors Memorial Bridge and the Connie Worden-Roberts Memorial Bridge. The Fallen Warriors Memorial Bridge was dedicated by the Santa Clarita City Council on May 26, 2011. The bridge connects Newhall Ranch Road and Golden Valley Road and was dedicated in honor of the service men and women who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Tuesday’s agenda. Additionally, an Assembly Concurrent Resolution was adopted on Sept. 15, 2015 to designate the Golden Valley Road Bridge over the Route 14 Freeway in honor of long-time Santa Clarita resident and community leader Connie Worden-Roberts, becoming the Connie Worden-Roberts Memorial Bridge.
(Source: KHTS 1220, 1/27/2016)

In February 2019, it was reported that the Newhall Ranch Road Bridge Widening project was completed. Newhall Ranch Road is considered one of the major sections of the cross-valley connector, which provides motorists a path from I-5 to Route 14 by way of surface streets. An estimated 35,000 vehicles pass through the bridge on a daily basis. Located in the area between Avenue Tibbitts/Dickason Drive and McBean Parkway, the project was designed to improve traffic circulation. The updated bridge now offers four travel lanes in the east and west directions, landscaped medians, a crossing path with protective concrete barriers for pedestrians and cyclists and an enhanced trail connection underneath the bridge for people to safely pass.
(Source: SCV Signal, 2/27/2019)

Naming Naming

Santa Paula FreewayThe portion from Route 101 to Route 5 is designated as the "Santa Paula Freeway". The first segment opened in 1963. It was named by Senate Bill 835, Chapter 223, in 1967.
(Image source: OK Roads)

The Korean War Veterans Memorial HighwayThe portion of Route 126 between US 101 and the City of Santa Paula (~ VEN 0.000 to VEN R13.193) is officially designated the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway". Named by Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 135, Chapter 89, on June 27, 2002.
(Image source: Flikr)

California Highway Patrol Officer David W. Copleman Memorial HighwayThe portion of Route 126 from Hallock Drive to the city limit of the City of Fillmore (~ VEN R12.773 to VEN 19.934) in the County of Ventura is named the "California Highway Patrol Officer David W. Copleman Memorial Highway". This segment was named in memory of David W. Copleman, who was March 7, 1958, in Little Rock, California. David W. Copleman entered the California Highway Patrol Academy on the October 18, 1982; after graduation, he was assigned to the Ventura Area Highway Patrol. Officer Copleman was killed in the line of duty on the April, 6, 1985, when he was in pursuit on Route 126 and was struck head-on by an uninvolved vehicle. Officer Copleman was a dedicated officer who loved his job and enjoyed the people he worked with. He was a wonderful father and husband and his greatest joy was spending time with his family. In his spare time, David W. Copleman served the community of Little Rock, California, as a volunteer firefighter. Named by Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 46, Resolution Chapter 66, on 7/7/2005.
(Image source: AARoads, Calif. Assn. of Highway Patrolmen)

The Korean War Veterans Memorial HighwayThe portion between the City of Santa Paula and Route 5 (~ VEN R13.193 to LA R5.558) is officially designated the "Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway". Named by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 41, Chapter 131, in 1994.
(Image source: Flikr)

Exit Information Exit Information

Note: An astute observer noted that the Commerce Center Exit in Santa Clarita is numbered as Exit 13, when it should be Exit 39.
(Source: AARoads "Re: CA 126", 12/9/2019)

Other WWW Links Other WWW Links

Classified Landcaped Freeway Classified Landcaped Freeway

The following segments are designated as Classified Landscaped Freeway:

County Route Starting PM Ending PM
Ventura 126 0.00 0.21
Ventura 126 R10.20 R12.71

Freeway Freeway

[SHC 253.1] Entire route. Added to the Freeway and Expressway system in 1959.

Interregional Route Interregional Route

[SHC 164.16] Between the east urban limits of Oxnard-Ventura-Thousand Oaks and Route 5.

Statistics Statistics

Overall statistics for Route 126:

Pre-1964 Legislative Route Pre-1964 Legislative Route

In 1933, Chapter 767 added the routes from "Fresno-Tracy West Side Highway near Kerman to [LRN 4] near Madera" and from "[LRN 4] near Madera to Fresno-Yosemite Road" to the highway system. In 1935, LRN 126 was added to the highway code with the definition:

  1. [LRN 41] near Kerman to [LRN 4] near Madera
  2. [LRN 4] near Madera to [LRN 125]

This definition remained unchanged until the 1963 renumbering. It was signed as Route 145, and ran from Route 180 to Route 41, with a discontinuity on Route 99 near Madera.


Acronyms and Explanations:


Back Arrow Route 125 Forward Arrow Route 127

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Maintained by: Daniel P. Faigin <webmaster@cahighways.org>.