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Former California State Route 109 on Interstate 8 west of Interstate 5

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While visiting the San Diego area I traveled to the west terminus of Interstate 8 near Ocean Beach.  I-8 west of I-5 is somewhat unique given it was originally designated as part of the first California State Route 109.


I-8 west of I-5 is known as the "Ocean Beach Freeway" and has served as the western terminus at Sunset Cliffs Boulevard since being transferred from the first CA 109 in 1972.  This segment of I-8 was originally adopted in 1959 as part of Legislative Route Number 286 between Sunset Cliffs Boulevard in the Ocean Beach neighborhood of San Diego east to LRN 2 (US 101).

CAhighways.org on LRN 286

LRN 286 appears on the 1960 State Highway Map City Insert as an unbuilt State Highway using the following route west of LRN 2/US 101:

-  Barnett Avenue from Pacific Highway (former US 101) to Midway Drive.
-  Midway Drive over the San Diego River to Sunset Cliffs Boulevard.  Midway Drive north the San Diego River is now Mission Bay Drive and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard is now Sea World Drive.

The 1960 State Highway City Insert can be viewed below.

1960 State Highway Map City Insert

The legislative designation of LRN 286 was changed to CA 109 during the California State Highway Renumbering.  The route of CA 109 appears on the 1964 State Highway Map is shown as a western connector to the already completed section of I-8 on US 80 (former LRN 12).  The new planned route of CA 109 aligns to what ultimately became the western segment of I-8.  These changes can be seen by comparing the 1963 State Highway Map City Insert to the 1964 edition.

1963 State Highway Map City Insert

1964 State Highway Map City Insert

The route of CA 109 is shown completed on the 1970 State Highway Map but does not appear to have been signed.

1970 State Highway Map City Insert

As noted above CA 109 was approved as a Non-Chargeable Interstate and became the western segment of I-8 in 1972.

CAhighways.org on I-8

I-8 appears over what was CA 109 on the 1975 State Highway Map City Insert.

1975 State Highway Map City Insert

The CA 109 designation was recycled in 1984 as part of a new connector route in East Palo Alto.  More on the second CA 109 can be found below.

California State Route 109

My approach to the former CA 109 segment of I-8 was from I-5 north.  From I-5 north the route I-8 west is signed with a control city of "Beaches."



Traffic from I-5 north onto I-8 west merges in from a left approach.  I-8 west on the former CA 109 has no exits and runs along the San Diego River to a terminus at Sunset Cliffs Boulevard.  I-8 does have "end" signage at it's terminus.  Traffic in the right lane is directed onto Sunset Cliffs Boulevard whereas left lane traffic is directed onto Nimitz Boulevard.











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