California Highways (www.cahighways.org): Route 178

In 2006, AB 1858 (Chapter 315, September 18, 2006) authorized relinquishment in Bakersfield:

In 2012, AB 2679 (Chapter 769, 9/29/2012) updated the language to reflect the relinquishment:

Post 1964 Signage History

As defined in 1963, this segment had the route: “(a) Route 99 in Bakersfield to Route 14 near Freeman via Walker Pass.” Later that year, Chapter 1698 relaxed the definition to be “(a) Bakersfield to Route 14 near Freeman via Walker Pass.”

Downtown Bakersfield

In 1964, the "Great Renumbering" truncated Route 178 to Route 99 (West Bakersfield Freeway) in Bakersfield. Route 58 absorbed the former routing of Sign Route 178 west of Golden State Avenue (former US 99, now Route 204) to Santa Margarita. The new definitions of Route 178 and Route 58 had both highways multiplex from Golden State Avenue west on 24^th Street to Route 99. The western endpoint definition of Route 178 would be relaxed by 1964 Legislative Chapter 1698 to "Bakersfield." The initial freeway segment of Route 178 in Bakersfield was completed by 1967. Mainline Route 58 remained on 24^th Street between Golden State Avenue west to the new 23^rd Street/24^th Street couplet at N Street in downtown. The end of the Route 178 funneled traffic to/from 23^rd Street/24^th Street at N Street. Route 178 and Route 58 multiplexed west through downtown to Route 99. Route 58 was shifted to the Rosa Parks Freeway south of Brundage Lane during the mid 1970s. The realignment left Route 178 as the only sign route designation on 23^rd Street/24^th Street. The earlier surface routing on 24^th Street from Golden State Avenue and N Street was redesignated as Route 178S in the postmile system, the "S" suffix indicating a spur.
(Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), "California State Route 178 Spur on 24^th Street in Bakersfield", May 2024)

Route 178 was truncated from Route 99 to M Street in 2011, which followed up on a relinquishment authorization of 24^th Street and 23^rd Street passed in 2006. Route 178S was retained and appears in the Caltrans Postmile Tool on 24^th Street west of Golden State Avenue to the vicinity of N Street.
(Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), "California State Route 178 Spur on 24^th Street in Bakersfield", May 2024)

Bakersfield to Lake Isabella

Bakersfield to Kern River Adoption In 1966, it was reported that a route had been adopted from Bakersfield to Lake Isabella. Construction was expected to start in 1972, with the entire project costing around $53 million. The map to the right, from the Bakersfield Californian, has been highlighted to show both existing and proposed routes.
(Source: Bakersfield Californian, 3/23/1966 via Joel Windmiller, 1/29/2023)

The complete freeway version of the route did not get built because the funding was cut off in 1974 when Governor Jerry Brown ended the freeway building binge. Proposed Freeway 178 is part of the both the County and the City of Bakersfield's 2010 General Plan. The route adoption was made April 27, 1960 by the California Highway Commission. The proposed freeway would follow existing alignment as a far Mesa Marin Raceway. The state already owns this piece, it pretty clearly marked by a fence line on either side of Route 178. Then the Route 178 Freeway breaks north and crosses the Kern River east of the county golf course. It would then follow Rancheria Rd more or less for about 10 miles until it drops south through a tunnel into the existing freeway segment at the top of the canyon.

Pre 1964 Signage History

Original Route 178 between Santa Margarita and Bakersfield (now Route 58)

In 1934, Route 178 was signed along the route from Jct. US 101 at Santa Margarita to Jct. Route 7 (US 395) at Freeman Junction via Bakersfield. The route originally began at US 101 near Santa Margarita, and continued through Pozo, La Panza and McKittrick. It then ran through Buttonwillow, and Rosedale to Bakersfield. This was LRN 58, defined in 1919, and is present-day Route 58. In the 1964 renumbering, the portion from US 101 to Route 99 was transferred to Route 58.

Tom Fearer (Max Rockatansky) noted on AARoads:
(Source: Tom Fearer on AARoads, "Bitterwater Road, Old SSR 178, more LRN 137, and the 1914 Salinas River Bridge", 2/8/2017)

From 1934 to 1956, Route 178 would have used Pozo Road to cross the La Panza Range to reach Santa Margarita and US 101. A look at even Google Maps shows why Route 178 was realigned, it wasn't a very good route that had a hugely twisty alignment. The modern route is largely something you can hold a decent 45-55 MPH in most curves much like Route 198 over the Diablos. When Route 178 was plotted out in 1934 it went through a town called La Panza (named after the range) and the village of Pozo which is located near Santa Margarita Lake. Pozo still exists as an inhabited place while La Panza is now a ghost town. Splitting off of Route 58 on Pozo Road there was oddly a Calfire Station despite the poor road quality. On the old California state maps, LRN 137 runs from Route 178 just outside of Santa Margarita over the Salinas River up to Creston. In 1956, Route 178/LRN 58 was realigned along what was LRN 137 to the modern southern terminus of Route 229 east along modern Route 58. US 101 was also shifted west to the modern bypass which meant Route 178/LRN 58 was extended through Santa Margarita.

Bakersfield to Lake Isabella

The first segment of future Sign Route 178 was completed in 1925. The Kern River Highway, as it was known then, ran from Bakersfield to Democrat Hot Spring. Kern County did the initial construction of the route.
(Source: LA Times, 12/22/1925, via Joel Windmiller, 1/27/2023)

Freeway from Downtown Bakersfield to approximately 4 miles out of town. Freeway ends for 1 mile, and then begins again (signed as freeway as a 2 lane road section for 2.2 miles). Also begins again near the town of Lake Isabella. Originally in Bakersfield, Route 178 followed 24^th Street, had a short multiplex with southbound US 99/eastbound US 466 on Golden Stave Avenue (present day Route 204/Business Route 99), and a short multiplex with US 466 (Sumner Street) to Baker Street. It then continued north on Baker Street and then east on Niles Street. The traffic circle underneath the current Route 204/Business Route 99 freeway at Chester Avenue was in existence even in 1942, when Route 204/Business Route 99 was US 99/US 466.

In 1933, LRN 58 was extended west from downtown Bakersfield from US 99 through the coast ranges to US 101/LRN 2 in Santa Margarita. LRN 58 west of US 99/LRN 4 at Golden State Avenue was initially carried from downtown Bakersfield via 19tth Street, Pierce Road and Rosedale Highway. This was signed as part of Sign Route 174 during the initial signage of state routes in August 1934. LRN 58/Sign Route 178 was shifted to a new alignment along 24^th Street in downtown Bakersfield at some point during 1934. Heading westbound, Sign Route 178 followed LRN 57 on Niles Street and Baker Street to US 466/LRN 58 at Sumner Street. Sign Route 178 multiplexed US 466 west to US 99/LRN 4 at Golden State Avenue (also the north terminus of US 399). Sign Route 178 then multiplexed US 99/US 466 briefly on Golden State Avenue and departed westward through downtown on 24^th Street. From downtown Bakersfield, the routing of Sign Route 178/LRN 58 followed 24^th Street to Rosedale Highway.
(Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), "California State Route 178 Spur on 24^th Street in Bakersfield", May 2024)

In 1959, Sign Route 178/LRN 58 from US 99/LRN 4 in Bakersfield west to I-5/LRN 238 was added to the Freeway and Expressway System. In 1961, allocations were approved for the 1962-63 Fiscal Year to obtain right-of-way for the construction of freeway alignment for Sign Route 178 in Bakersfield. The freeway began at 24^th Street in downtown Bakersfield just west of US 99/LRN 4. The freeway routing continued east as part of LRN 57 jogging north of Niles Street towards the Kern River Canyon. In 1963, it was announced that construction of the Sign Route 178 freeway from M Street in downtown Bakersfield east to Mount Vernon Avenue was budgeted for the 1964-65 Fiscal Year. The project was slated to include a widening of 24^th Street and conversion of 23^rd Street (both legislatively as LRN 58) to state highway standards as part of a new one-way couplet.
(Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), "California State Route 178 Spur on 24^th Street in Bakersfield", May 2024)

Lake Isabella to Inyokern

The route then ran along the current routing through Bodfish, Weldon, the Sequoia Forest, and Freeman. The routing ended at Route 7 (now Route 14/US 395). This was LRN 57, defined in 1919.

Rte 178 E of Weldon to E of Walker Pass Route Adoption In 1956, the CHC adopted two reroutings for Route 178, between 3 mi W of Weldon (~ KER 54) and Weldon, and between 4 mi E of Weldon and 1.3 mi E of Walker Pass (~ KER 83.759). The section between these two segments was adopted in 1952. The 1956 highway followed an old routing and had many curves and sharp dips subject to flooding. The new routing provided for relocation of some portions and elimination of sharp curves and loops on other locations. The plan was to construct a two-lane highway at a cost of $1.8 million, including right of way. However, by the looks of the 2023 routing, especially E of Onyx, these new routings were never constructed.
(Source: Bakersfield Californian, 8/23/1956 via Joel Windmiller, 1/29/2023)

Michael Ballard has a page presenting Russ Connelly's historical exploration of the development and early routings of Route 178. The page provides a historical tour of Route 178, It provides the full history of the route for the segment between Kern Canyon and Freeman Junction (i.e., working W from the jct. with Route 14). I'd bring some of the text over here to summarize just the highway history, but Michael is particularly sensitive about things like that, so please go take a look at Russ's exploration. It is well worth your time. But the following are some key bullet points:
(Reference: Historical Tour of State Highway 178, Russ Connelly)

Original road built by Edison Electric to go to the Kern River Powerhouse in 1890s.
Added to the state highway system in 1919 as the Walker Pass Road
Kern County authorized County Road 148 in 1894, from Breckenridge Road to Democratic Hot Springs to Bodfish. Opened in 1905. Turned over to the state as part of LRN 57 in 1926.
In 1966, Route 178 was upgraded to a four-lane expressway from China Gardens to Isabella Dam, bypassing Miracle Springs, Bodfish, Garfield, Kernvale and Lake Isabella. The original road from China Gardens to Bodfish becane "Old Kern Canyon Road" (County Road 214).
Construction of Lake Isabella resulted in relocation of the route. The roadway was realigned to the south and east nearer the mountains.

Status

Bakersfield Crosstown Freeway

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

Projects of National and Regional Significance #1: Bakersfield Beltway System, $140,000,000.
National Corridor Infrastructure Improvement Program #4: Centennial Corridor Loop in Bakersfield, $330,000,000.

This route is not yet formally in the state highway system. The proposed freeway is supposed to start about ¾ mile from where Route 178 comes to an end in Downtown Bakersfield. From there, it will curve south, then west to run along the railroad tracks south of the existing Route 178. The freeway would then begin to curve slightly north, then west as it crosses over Route 99. Then it will run about 5 miles west where it will join up with the future Westside Beltway.

The Centennial Corridor is an 8 lane freeway that will connect the Westside Parkway west of Route 99 to State Route 178 in the northeast part of Bakersfield. The project study report (PSR), a preliminary planning document, is currently underway for this project. The environmental document and initial engineering/alignment studies for the Centennial Corridor are planned to begin the Summer of 2003 and will take several years to complete. Currently, the initial phase of construction for the Centennial Corridor is planned for 2008 or 2009. The Centennial Corridor will connect to the Westside Parkway and is currently planned to continue east under Route 99 and under Oak Street north of the BN&SF railroad tracks. There is proposed to be a SPUI interchange at Oak Street. In the downtown area, the Centennial Corridor is proposed to go over and have a partial interchange with F Street. Continuing east after F Street, the Centennial Corridor is then planned to swing south over the BN&SF railroad tracks. There would be an off ramp to 14^th Street which would allow access to areas north and south of the Centennial Corridor at Chester Avenue, L Street, N Street, and Q Street. At Q Street, there is proposed to be an on ramp for eastbound traffic and an off ramp for westbound traffic.

More information on the Centennial Corridor will be found with Route 58.

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

National Corridor Infrastructure Improvement Program #6: Design, planning, and construction of Route 178 in Bakersfield. $100,000,000.
National Corridor Infrastructure Improvement Program #7: Widening of Rosedale Highway between Route 43 and Route 99 in Bakersfield, and widening of Route 178 between Route 99 and D Street in Bakersfield. $60,000,000.

In June 2011, the CTC authorized relinquishment of right of way in the city of Bakersfield on Route 178 from Route 99 to M Street (~ KER 0.142 to KER 0.162), under terms and conditions as stated in the relinquishment agreement dated May 2, 2011, determined to be in the best interest of the State. Authorized by Chapter 315, Statutes of 2006, which amended Section 478 of the Streets and Highways Code.

In May 2014, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project in Kern County that will correct the seismic deficiencies of four bridges on Route 99 and Route 178 in Kern County, including the Airport Drive Overcrossing (Bridge Number 50- 0266) and the Golden State Avenue Separation (Bridge Numbers 50-0326 Right, 50-0326 Left, and 50-0326 Center., 178 KER R001.95). The project is programmed in the 2014 State Highway Operation and Protection Program. The total estimated cost is $10,139,000 for capital and support. Construction is estimated to begin in Fiscal Year 2016-17.

[178 Fairfax I/C] Caltrans has plans to construct an interchange at Route 178 and Fairfax Road (~ KER R6.782). The construction will include soundwalls and the widening of Route 178 from a two-lane expressway to a four- lane freeway, east of Oswell Street overcrossing to west of Morning Drive. Construction should start in September 2007, and be completed by September 2009.

In April 2017, an update was provided on Route 178 improvements in Bakersfield. These improvements widen the highway from two to six lanes from just east of Morning Drive to Masterson Street and from two to four lanes from Masterson to Miramonte Drive (~ KER R7.741 to KER 10.195). Masterson, Alfred Harrell Highway, Miramonte and Route 184 will be realigned and/or widened where they intersect with Route 178. The improvements are 85 percent complete, with completion expected in May 2017. The old Route 178/Route 184 intersection is closed so the contractor can complete work in this area. This closure is expected last until mid-May 2017. The contractor completed the final lift of paving on Route 178 and Route 184 in March. The contractor plans to pave the section of Route 178 between Masterson Street and Alfred Harrell Highway with rubberized asphalt, which is generally used to reduce road noise, in April.
(Source: Bakersfield.Com, 4/20/2017)

According to Caltrans, there is an unconstructed adopted route from W of Route 184 to W of Miracle Hot Springs that is parallel to the existing route. (~ KER T9.639)

Canyon Section of Route 178

The canyon segment of Route 178 scores a unheard of 257 on the state's safety index; this means that the canyon portion of Route 178 gets 257% more accidents then would be expected on a mythical state highway with similar average daily traffic. Current thought is that having the highway in the canyon next to the Kern River (a) poses a significant threat to the riparian ecosystem in the Kern Canyon, (b) a risk to the water quality of ground the water recharge supply in the southern San Joaquin valley, (c) a risk to the drinking water supply of metropolitan Bakersfield, and (d) a risk to the irrigation water supply to the farms in the southern San Joaquin Valley. [Information on the history of Route 178 comes from a post by Karl Davisson]

The risk of the canyon section of Route 178 was highlighted again in 2013. In 2012, CHP said it handled 48 accidents in the canyon. As of April 2013, there have been 18 accidents in the area. According to officials these accidents are not only costing lives, but also taxpayer money. A recent rescue on the route cost at least $34,000. Currently there are guardrails installed sporadically along Route 178 in the canyon. When Caltrans was asked whether additional guardrails could be installed, the response was that many locations in the canyon only have one or two feet of shoulder, and Caltrans needs more than that to properly and safely install guardrailing. The posts supporting the rails need to have sufficient rigidity and integrity to withstand an out of control vehicle. Concrete walls in steep canyon areas are not feasible, but due to cost and environmental impacts.
(Source: ABC23, 4/23/13)

Naming

Kern Canyon Road to Route 155; Walker Pass Road to Route 14. Kern River was named by Frémont in 1845, for his topographer and artist, Edward M. Kern of Philadelphia. The county was named in 1866.

The portion of Route 178 between M Street and Fairfax Road in the City of Bakersfield (~ KER 0.18 to KER R6.792) in Kern County is named the "CHP Officer David W. Manning Memorial Freeway." It was named in honor of California Highway Patrol Officer David W. Manning, who passed away on February 15, 1996, from injuries he received on January 26, 1996 as a result of a traffic accident. Officer Manning had been one of the first officers assigned to the new Bakersfield area motor squad when it was reactivated after a 25-year absence. He liked to carry candy canes with him while on duty to hand out to children he encountered. At the scene of his fatal collision, Officer Manning's motorcycle was on its side surrounded by candy canes. He was a member of the California Highway Patrol for eight years and served in East Los Angeles and Bakersfield. Named by Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, July 16, 2004, Chapter 117.
(Image Source: AARoads; California Assn of Highway Patrolmen)

The portion of Route 178 from PM KER 13.7 at the mouth of Kern Canyon eastbound to its intersection with Kernville Road (Route 155) (~ KER 13.7 to KER R42.948) in Kern County is named the "Kern County Deputy Sheriff William "Joe" Hudnall, Jr., Memorial Highway". This segment was named in memory of Deputy Sheriff William "Joe" Hudnall Jr., who was hired by the Kern County Sheriff's Department on September 27, 1997, after putting himself through the P.O.S.T. Academy at his own expense. Deputy Sheriff Hudnall was killed in the line of duty on November 14, 2006, while transporting a prisoner from his duty assignment in Kernville, California, to Bakersfield, California. His patrol unit was struck head-on, on Route 178 in Kern Canyon, by a vehicle operated by a person who was under the influence of a controlled substance. Named by Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 90, Resolution Chapter 71, on 7/3/2008.
(Image source: Facebook; Find a Grave)