Jun 6, 200602:41 PMThe Life

Signs of Life: Historic Route 99

Route 99 was one of the original US highways commissioned in 1926, stretching from the Mexican border north to Canada. It was the main artery along the West Coast for nearly forty years.

99 was bypassed gradually during the 1950s and '60s, as sections of high-speed freeway were opened next to it. By the end of the '70s, its entire length had been decommissioned.

At Ramon Road, the original path of 99 (along Varner Road) splits to the north of Interstate 10. This section was replaced by an expressway around 1952.

Just north of Gene Autry Trail, the old route of 99 rejoins the freeway. This stretch of the I-10 was built from 1962-67, although some parts were constructed by simply widening the 1952 expressway.

West of the Route 111 interchange and south of the Verbenia Avenue exit, portions of the original 99 remain as frontage road, which continues for several miles to the East Cabazon exit.

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