Misplaced Pages

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146-499: SR 79 begins at I-8 , about 35 miles (56 km) east of San Diego. The road runs along Old Highway 80 in the town of Descanso , until splitting to the north at a T intersection. The route then traverses Cuyamaca and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park on its way north. This portion of the route is very serpentine, with hairpin turns , as it follows the contours of the land by moving laterally, rather than up-and-down or via cuts. It then overlaps SR 78 between Santa Ysabel and Julian ,

292-621: A U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee found that the Arizona government had mismanaged financial resources. The route was completed in 1975 through California, and by 1977 through Arizona, though the bridge over the Colorado River was not completed until 1978. Since then, the freeway through San Diego has been widened due to increasing congestion, and another portion in Imperial County had to be rebuilt following damage by

438-466: A "sensitive" issue that not all parents might want their children to learn about. The American Civil Liberties Union labeled the school district's actions as censorship and stepped in to give the school district five days to reverse its decision, and promise never to do anything like it again, or they would launch a lawsuit on Natalie's behalf. The school district did not immediately respond. As an unincorporated town, Ramona's plenary local governing body

584-492: A bypass of the Phoenix area for long-distance travelers on I-10. In 2014, I-8 had an AADT of 5,200 vehicles between Butterfield Trail and Freeman Road, and 44,400 vehicles between SR 280 and Araby Road east of Yuma, the latter of which was the highest AADT for the highway in Arizona. In the early 2010s, I-8 from Casa Grande to Gila Bend was sometimes used for smuggling both drugs and humans. The I-8 designation

730-588: A center barrier installed in the median. The Ocean Beach Freeway section west of I-5 was authorized as Route 286 in 1959. In 1962, four alternate routes were proposed for this part of the freeway, and for Rosecrans Street. Route 286 was renumbered to SR 109 in the 1964 renumbering. Plans for the Old Town interchange between I-5 (formerly US 101), I-8 (formerly US 80), SR 209 (Rosecrans Street), and SR 109 date from 1962, although several concerns had to be taken into account, including

876-552: A conveyor belt across US 80 to become part of an embankment for the Sweetwater River Bridge , the grading of the mountain near Viejas Grade and the Sweetwater River had not been completed on the final link. The historic Ellis Grade radiator stop was to be removed and replaced with one at Vista Point. On April 19, 1969, the part 2.5 mi (4.0 km) east of Alpine opened to traffic. All of

1022-595: A different routing through Devil's Canyon that had been constructed by November 1963. A contract for paving the 9.7 miles (15.6 km) from the San Diego–Imperial county line to SR 98, including the eastbound lanes, was given to the Isbell Construction Company for $ 3.69 million (about $ 28 million in 2023 dollars) in May 1963. This portion was completed in May 1965 "through some of

1168-513: A distance of about eight miles (13 km). At Julian, both routes join at a T intersection just south of town, thus requiring a turn to stay on SR 79, and turn at an intersection in the northern portion of downtown. At Santa Ysabel, SR 79 comes to a T intersection with SR 78 running east–west. SR 79 continues northwest, meeting the eastern terminus of SR 76 near Lake Henshaw at the settlement of Morettis and passing through Warner Springs before crossing into Riverside County. SR 79 then meets

1314-640: A few years from a decline in the number of students and political friction from the RUSD. Ramona Adult School was established in 1993 by the Ramona Unified School District. Ramona Adult School is a provider of adult education services in Ramona, California and serves the communities of Ballena, Santa Ysabel, San Diego Country Estates, Four Corners, Barona Reservation, Fernbrook, San Pasqual Valley, and Wynola. At an elevation of 1,430 ft,

1460-508: A flood eroded 400 pieces of the roadway from westbound I-8 near Ocotillo , resulting in the construction of a detour. The freeway reopened to traffic in February 1978 after the damage was repaired and a new bridge was built, at a cost of $ 1 million (about $ 4 million in 2023 dollars). But, in 1982, the freeway was closed again near Ocotillo due to flooding following another storm. Between Yuma and Gila Bend, I-8 runs alongside

1606-602: A freeway in 1960, and the freeway was complete west of El Cajon by April 1962. Priority was given to planning US 80 in 1962 by the California Chamber of Commerce . In 1964, I-8 was officially designated by the California State Legislature, and the US 80 designation was removed. By 1965, I-8 from Fairmount Avenue to El Cajon Boulevard was one of the first freeway stretches in the county to have

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1752-485: A million pounds of dynamite. The third project was built near the site of an abandoned attempt to build a tunnel for the old highway after World War II, which proved to be too expensive. By mid-February 1969, one segment of the freeway running through Alpine was nearing completion and was scheduled to open on February 21; another section was scheduled to open in April. However, although dirt and rocks were transported on

1898-599: A new statistical entity for tabulating summary statistics from Census 2000 by ZIP code, the Zip Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA). Ramona has a single United States Postal Service ZIP code : 92065. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), San Diego County's regional planning agency, has compiled census data for all census tracts in the Ramona Community Planning Area (RCPA). These statistics are slightly different than

2044-712: A population of 33,404 at the 2000 census. The January 1, 2006, population of the Ramona Community Planning Area is estimated to be 36,405 by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). USDA Hardiness Zones are 9b and 10a. Before it was permanently settled, the Ramona area was inhabited by the Kumeyaay Nation of Native Americans ( Diegueño ), a semi-nomadic people, who established annual settlements there as they moved between coastal and inland grounds. Their presence

2190-492: A project. This was projected to be the final highway project before I-5 was completed in San Diego County. The building phase started on September 22, 1966, on the interchange that was to replace the intersection of Pacific Highway and Rosecrans Street. The cost of the interchange was projected to be $ 10.86 million (about $ 76 million in 2023 dollars). SR 109 was planned to follow Camino del Rio up to

2336-414: A second realignment, L refers to an overlap due to a correction or change, and T indicates postmiles classified as temporary ( for a full list of prefixes, see California postmile § Official postmile definitions ). Segments that remain unconstructed or have been relinquished to local control may be omitted. The numbers reset at county lines; the start and end postmiles in each county are given in

2482-686: Is a member of the Education to Career Network of North San Diego County. ETCN is one of 71 Consortiums in the State of California and is funded by the California Adult Education Program. The Nuevo Gardens Memorial Cemetery is a public cemetery located at 532 Ash Street, Ramona, CA 92065, and governed by a three-person Board of Trustees, who are appointed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. In

2628-662: Is governed by a five-member elected board of directors. In the area of Ramona outside and east of the Ramona Municipal Water District, fire protection and paramedic service is provided by the InterMountain Fire - Rescue Department . It operates as a California 501c(3) non-profit corporation, and up to 9 people sit on its board of directors. Portions of Ramona, notably the Barona Mesa area adjacent to San Diego Country Estates, are under

2774-488: Is indicated by archeological evidence such as rock paintings, etchings, and grinding stones used to grind acorns into meal for bread. During Mexican governance of California, Rancho Valle de Pamo (also called Rancho Santa María) was a 17,709-acre (71.67 km ) Mexican land grant that occupied the Santa Maria Valley and was centered on present-day Ramona. The first post office was called Nuevo. The town took

2920-577: Is located at 33°2′30″N 116°52′5″W  /  33.04167°N 116.86806°W  / 33.04167; -116.86806 within the Santa Maria Valley . This is near the intersection of State Route 67 and State Route 78 and near the economic center of Ramona. The elevation is 1,391 ft (424 m) above sea level (at Ramona Airport ). Because Ramona is not an incorporated city, there are no city limits by which to measure its area. There are primarily three geographic areas by which

3066-562: Is one of the largest, and oldest, adobe structures in southern California. Photographs of William Hebbard and Ramona Town Hall may be viewed on this San Diego Historical Society page , and on the Ramona Town Hall website . As noted in a Ramona Home Journal article: In the past, the Town Hall was home to Ramona’s first high school. Classes met upstairs from 1894 to 1898. The town’s first bank and first library also started in

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3212-778: Is paralleled by the San Diego Trolley Green Line . East of El Cajon, it ascends into the mountains and the Cleveland National Forest , traveling through towns such as Alpine then going by the Viejas Casino before reaching Pine Valley . This route achieves four 4,000-foot (1219.2 meters) high points at Carpenter Summit , then crosses the Pine Valley Creek Bridge before the Laguna Summit , followed by

3358-874: Is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System , and from the northern I-15 junction to I-10 is part of the National Highway System , a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration . It is eligible for the State Scenic Highway System ; however, it is not a scenic highway as defined by Caltrans. In 2012, SR 79 had an annual average daily traffic (AADT) of 1,550 between Paso Picacho Campground and Sunrise Highway, and 30,500 at Murrieta Hot Springs Road,

3504-415: Is proposed upon completion of that project. However, construction on the highway realignment has not begun because the project is only partially funded. Except where prefixed with a letter, postmiles were measured on the road as it was in 1964 , based on the alignment that existed at the time, and do not necessarily reflect current mileage. R reflects a realignment in the route since then, M indicates

3650-574: Is the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. However, many governmental functions operate at the local level in Ramona. The Ramona Municipal Water District (RMWD) is Ramona's local agency (within its boundaries) for water and sewer service, fire protection, paramedic services, and parks. The RMWD contracts with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to operate the Ramona Fire Department . The RMWD

3796-466: The 2010 census Ramona had a population of 20,292. The population density was 528.0 inhabitants per square mile (203.9/km ). The racial makeup of Ramona was 15,887 (78.3%) White, 139 (0.7%) African American, 224 (1.1%) Native American, 279 (1.4%) Asian, 71 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 2,965 (14.6%) from other races, and 727 (3.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6,334 persons (31.2%). The census reported that 20,168 people (99.4% of

3942-454: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau , which recognized the area for its distinctive microclimate , elevation , and soil attributes. In May 2009, a grade 6 student at Mt. Woodson Elementary, Natalie Jones, was forbidden from delivering a class presentation on assassinated gay San Francisco city councilor Harvey Milk because her principal, and later the school district, declared it

4088-505: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) would sign this freeway segment as State Route 8. As the freeway enters Mission Valley , it continues eastward, bisecting the area known as "Hotel Circle" that has several hotels. I-8 then has interchanges with SR 163 , I-805 , and I-15 . In La Mesa , the route intersects SR 125 , and in El Cajon it intersects with SR 67 . From Mission Valley through El Cajon, it

4234-735: The California State Legislature , Ramona is in the 40th Senate District , represented by Republican Brian Jones , and in the 75th Assembly District , represented by Republican Marie Waldron . In the United States House of Representatives , Ramona is in California's 48th congressional district , represented by Republican Darrell Issa . According to the United States Geological Survey Ramona

4380-541: The Colorado River on a bridge into Yuma, Arizona . I-8 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System and is eligible for the State Scenic Highway System from I-5 to the western junction of SR 98, though it is not an official state scenic highway. It is officially known as the Border Friendship Route from San Diego to the Arizona state line. The Interstate is signed as

4526-644: The Crestwood Summit , then the Tecate Divide , After the Laguna Summit, the road passes a U.S. border patrol interior checkpoint that was constructed in 1995 near Buckman Springs Road turnoff just east of the summit. However, this resulted in smugglers driving the wrong way on I-8 at high speeds in order to avoid the checkpoint, causing several crashes, even after concrete barriers were installed. The freeway intersects with SR 79 in

California State Route 79 - Misplaced Pages Continue

4672-718: The Desert View Tower . I-8 then goes through Ocotillo and Coyote Wells before entering the city of El Centro several miles later. In El Centro, I-8 intersects with SR 86 and SR 111 , both north–south routes which connect to I-10 in the Coachella Valley , north of the Salton Sea . SR 115 and SR 98 end at I-8 east of El Centro. The route also has the lowest above-ground elevation of any Interstate at 52 ft (16 m) below sea level near El Centro. The freeway then traverses

4818-578: The Gila Mountains , the eastbound lanes of I-8 cross under the westbound freeway, briefly traveling to the left near Telegraph Pass before reverting. West of Wellton , the highway takes a northeasterly course, paralleling the Gila River and passing to the south of Roll . Through this part of Arizona, I-8 passes along the northern edge of the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range and to the south of

4964-694: The Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area and intersects with SR 186 leading south to Baja California Norte , Mexico. I-8 runs parallel to the All-American Canal across the desert for roughly 55 mi (89 km). At points in eastern Imperial County, the Mexican border is less than 0.5 mi (0.80 km) south of the Interstate. I-8 then passes through Felicity and Winterhaven before crossing

5110-774: The National Park Service . The entirety of Interstate 8 in California is defined in the California Streets and Highways Code as Route 8 , whose definition in section 308 is as follows : Route 8 is from: (a) Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to Route 5 in San Diego (b) Route 5 in San Diego to Yuma via El Centro. The freeway begins at the intersection of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Nimitz Boulevard in San Diego . For its first few miles, it parallels

5256-822: The Ocean Beach Freeway and the Mission Valley Freeway before traversing the Cuyamaca Mountains and providing access through the Imperial Valley , including the city of El Centro . Crossing the Colorado River into Arizona , I-8 continues through the city of Yuma across the Sonoran Desert to Casa Grande, in between the cities of Phoenix and Tucson . The first route over the Cuyamaca Mountains

5402-487: The San Diego Country Estates area, on October 25, 2003. The fire would eventually consume approximately 280,000 acres (1,133 km ), burn 2,820 buildings (including 2,232 homes), and take 15 lives. The Cedar Fire was the largest fire in California history at the time. In her book, A Canyon Trilogy, author Chi Varnado, a longtime Ramona resident, described many of the hardships the victims faced in

5548-473: The San Diego River floodway. Near Old Town San Diego , I-8 intersects with I-5 as well as with Rosecrans Street, the former routing of SR 209 . Even though the freeway west of I-5 is signed with interstate shields, it is not considered a chargeable interstate highway according to Federal Highway Administration route logs, which defines I-8's western terminus at I-5. Under regular circumstances,

5694-624: The United States Census Bureau , the Ramona CDP covers an area of 38.4 square miles (99 km ), 99.95% of it land, and 0.05% of it water. Ramona has a Mediterranean climate ( Köppen Csa ) typical of inland southern California, with a high diurnal temperature variation that averages 30.3 °F (16.8 °C) over the year. Official record temperatures since 1974 range from 16 °F (−9 °C) on January 17, 2007, up to 117 °F (47 °C) on July 6, 2018. At

5840-669: The Yuma Proving Ground . It keeps a northeastern heading, passing through the community of Dateland , until it reaches Gila Bend . There, the freeway intersects SR 85 heading north to Phoenix and south to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument . After leaving Gila Bend, I-8 takes a southeastern course as it passes through the Sonoran Desert National Monument . Exiting the national monument grounds,

5986-545: The poverty line . Only 3.57% of families including a married couple were below the poverty line, while 13.98% of male-headed households with no wife present and 14.62% of female-headed households with no husband present fell below the poverty line. Of the population 15 years of age or older, 63% were married (excluding separated), 23% had never been married, 8% were divorced, 4% were widowed, and 1% were separated. Of those 25 or older 86.34% had graduated high school (including GEDs), and 31.1% had attended college, but had not earned

California State Route 79 - Misplaced Pages Continue

6132-575: The 92065 ZCTA, as the RCPA includes some land area outside the 92065 ZIP code. ( Map of RCPA ) 2000 census information for the Ramona CDP, the San Diego Country Estate CDP, 92065 ZCTA, and the RCPA (as prepared by SANDAG), is set forth below. At the 2000 census , there were 33,087 people living in the 92065 Zip Code Tabulation Area . At the 2000 census , there were 33,404 people, 10,803 households, and 8,814 families living in

6278-533: The Alpine part of I-8 opened on May 22, 1969, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony; yet the Viejas Grade segment was now projected to be completed by 1972. The bridge over the Sweetwater River was under construction by 1970, and the entire segment cost $ 22.1 million (about $ 134 million in 2023 dollars). By May, this segment was estimated to be completed in the later part of that year. The leveling of

6424-483: The California Highway Commission. Construction was underway on the stretch from Seeley to SR 111 by June 1966, and the entire portion through the county was planned for completion by 1968. This 12.2-mile (19.6 km) portion, extending west to Drew Road, was planned for completion by early 1967, at a cost of $ 200 million (about $ 1.4 billion in 2023 dollars); however, by then,

6570-610: The Cuyamaca dam, making the trip difficult. In 1922, the Automobile Club of Southern California noted that from Santa Ysabel to Julian, the road was in good repair, as well as from Cuyamaca to Descanso, even though the latter was a dirt road; the Julian to Cuyamaca road had "several soft spots". Seven years later, Julian residents expressed a desire to have the road from there to Descanso paved. Between Descanso and Temecula, what

6716-782: The Frontier traffic circle, where the city of San Diego would resume construction; both SR 109 and SR 209 were to be built in the future. The eight-lane freeway was projected to relieve traffic in the Frontier Street area coming from the San Diego Sports Arena . Bidding for the SR ;109 contract was to begin in 1968, after the City Council endorsed the route in December 1967. Completion of both

6862-534: The Holtville portion began at 3:30 a.m. daily during the summer in order to avoid the desert heat. In addition to this, construction of the Highline Canal overpass involved a 120-foot (37 m) steel span that was prefabricated and made of girders that were hoisted into position by barges. The Matich Construction Company attempted to set the world record for laying the most concrete in a day, aided by

7008-408: The Imperial County line was included in the California Highway Commission budget for 1965–1966. A 6.7-mile (10.8 km) extension from Mountain Springs west to what was then known as Road J-35 was given $ 3.3 million (about $ 24 million in 2023 dollars) in funding by the Highway Commission in May 1965. The 10-mile (16 km) section in between this one and the Mountain Springs pass section

7154-553: The Ocean Beach Freeway west of I-5. For the entire length within San Diego County and into Imperial County, it is signed as the Kumeyaay Highway, after the local Native American tribe and their traditional trade route which the Interstate follows. Between Old Town and El Cajon, I-8 is called the Mission Valley Freeway. In 2014, I-8 had an annual average daily traffic (AADT) of 11,800 vehicles between Bonds Corner Road and SR 115, as well as between SR 98 and Imperial Highway, and 239,000 vehicles between I-805 and I-15,

7300-412: The Poomacha which had originated in the area of the La Jolla Indian Reservation. Along with more than 10 other fires burning in San Diego County at the same time, the Witch-Poomacha fire helped cause the largest mandatory evacuations in U.S. history, with over 500,000 people displaced as of October 24. In January 2006, Ramona Valley was designated the country's 162nd American Viticultural Area (AVA) by

7446-408: The RCPA. The population density was 254.5 inhabitants per square mile (98.3/km ). There were 11,190 housing units at an average density of 85.6 per square mile (33.1/km ). The racial makeup of the RCPA was 78.35% White, 0.67% African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.03% of

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7592-402: The Riverside/San Diego county line and the I-15/ I-215 junction. In both cases, to enter SR 79 from I-15, one must head slightly east (although SR 79 is signed as a north–south highway). The southern exit from I-15 is known as Temecula Parkway. SR 79 exits from I-15 in the northern area of Temecula as Winchester Road. It then runs along the eastern city limits of Murrieta before passing by

7738-481: The adult school campus is located on the grounds of Montecito high school which is nestled in beautiful and historic foothills of the noteworthy Cuyamaca Mountains. Ramona Adult School offers adult education courses for adults in the areas of: high school diploma, GED, HISET, and adult basic education. Ramona Adult School works collaboratively with Palomar College and other local adult schools to connect students with post-secondary education and training. Ramona Adult School

7884-422: The aftermath of the fire. The Witch Fire began near Ramona near the area called Witch Creek on October 21, 2007. By three days later it had burned approximately 195,000 acres (789 km ) in San Diego County with over 640 homes destroyed, 250 damaged, and 12 firefighters injured according to the San Diego Union Tribune. Roads into the town were closed. On October 24 the Witch Fire merged with another fire called

8030-408: The age of 18, 8.08% from 18 to 24, 29.01% from 25 to 44, 23.53% from 45 to 64, and 9.34% 65 or older. The median age was 35.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males. The median household income was in the RCPA was $ 60,534. The per capita income for the RCPA was $ 19,576. About 5.3% of families and 9% of the population were below

8176-419: The beginning of the San Luis Rey River, and Oceanside. However, the next year, the county highway commissioners determined that more funding would be needed to complete the road to Warner Springs. By November 1912, the road to Warner Springs from San Diego was completed, including the part from Santa Ysabel, which had been widened. The road south of Julian to Decanso was open by 1916, but had a narrow crossing at

8322-400: The building, and several religious groups met there before their churches were built. Other organizations that met in the Town Hall included Ramona Grange, Santa Maria Masonic Lodge, Ramona Pioneer Historical Society, Ramona Chamber of Commerce, Ramona Art Guild, Town Hall Players and Ramona Council of Arts, Unlimited. The Town Hall was used as a theater in the 1940s, with Harry Miles running

8468-419: The city. Caltrans engineer Jacob Dekema stated at the time that the four-lane freeway would not be constructed on the US 80 routing due to possible expansion of the Naval Air Facility El Centro . In October 1964, the portion of I-8 between Imperial Avenue in El Centro to SR 111 appeared in the state budget. By December, a route for the part of I-8 just west of the Colorado River was being examined by

8614-424: The county column. Interstate 8 Interstate 8 ( I-8 ) is an Interstate Highway in the southwestern United States . It runs from the southern edge of Mission Bay at Sunset Cliffs Boulevard in San Diego, California , almost at the Pacific Ocean, to the junction with I-10 , just southeast of Casa Grande, Arizona . In California, the freeway travels through the San Diego metropolitan area as

8760-447: The date for completion of the freeway had slipped to 1972. The state ordered the building of the portion from west of Coyote Wells to just east of Drew Road in September 1967. The next year, Dekema indicated that the goal was to have I-8 completed by 1973, citing a deadline in order to have the federal government pay for up to ninety percent of the costs; the other freeways in the region were to be delayed because of this. In early 1970,

8906-420: The drivers led to state charges against the two firms as well as five people in August. There were concerns that John Erreca, the state director of public works, had a conflict of interest with Fratianno and did not enforce the law; however, both Transportation Administrator Robert Bradford (upon a request for investigation from then Governor Pat Brown ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation found that there

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9052-479: The entire corridor. By 1928, the portion of I-8 between Gila Bend and Casa Grande was designated as SR 84. A small portion of the highway was paved near Yuma and SR 84 was under construction by the next year. SR 84 was completed by 1930, but not paved, and the segment of US 80 between Aztec and Sentinel had been paved. Ramona, California Ramona is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California . The population

9198-417: The freeway engineers have hacked two separate roadways not even in sight of each other, but so overpowering in the sheer magnitude of the cuts through the mountains that it is almost impossible to believe human beings could have so overpowered hostile nature ...." Access to the site for construction workers was difficult, and many slopes had to be stabilized. Temperatures reached 120 °F (49 °C) in

9344-545: The freeway uncompleted when built. The drive time from San Diego to El Centro had been reduced to two hours, according to the California Division of Highways. By August 1970, the remainder of the freeway had been funded, with the part from Japatul Valley Road to Laguna Junction costing $ 22 million (about $ 133 million in 2023 dollars), and the Laguna Junction to Crestwood portion costing $ 15 million (about $ 91 million in 2023 dollars). In May 1971, El Centro Mayor Alex Gay requested that passing lanes be added to

9490-522: The freeway was the second highest priority according to the Highway Development Association in May 1963, after the I-5 freeway. Bidding began on the portion from Broadway in El Cajon to Harritt Road in September 1963. This section of the freeway was to parallel US 80 to the south up to Lakeview Road, and then to the north. This portion of the freeway was scheduled to be complete by May 1965. By January 1965, I-8 had been completed from I-5 east to an interchange with Lake Jennings Park Road, just south of

9636-427: The grade resulted in the second highest fill in the state at 360 ft (110 m). The final portion of I-8 in California, between Japatul Valley Road and west of Boulevard, was prioritized in the 1969–1970 state budget. Due to financial concerns, it was announced in September 1968 that the target date for completing the Interstate Highway System would be extended until 1974, from 1972. The missing portion of I-8

9782-410: The highest concrete bridge in the state at the time was to be built at 430 ft (130 m) over Pine Valley Creek on the segment between Japatul Valley Road and Sunrise Highway. The contract came in at $ 22.6 million (about $ 125 million in 2023 dollars), over $ 5 million (about $ 28 million in 2023 dollars) beyond budget due to the difficulty of the bridge construction. All three of

9928-446: The highest ratio of cars to number of lanes worldwide, at 2400 cars per hour. Plans to add another lane to I-8 west from College Avenue to I-15 began in March 1992. Caltrans proposed the installation of a metered traffic signal on I-8 west in Lakeside during 1987, in order to improve traffic flow in the mornings by inserting a short delay before entering San Diego should the rate exceed 2,000 vehicles per hour. However,

10074-540: The highway continues on an easterly bearing to a junction with SR 84 , a highway that parallels I-8 to the north and goes through Casa Grande , while I-8 passes to the south of both Stanfield and Casa Grande. I-8 reaches its eastern terminus southeast of Casa Grande Mountain Park at an interchange with I-10 , which continues north (westbound) to Phoenix , and south (eastbound) to Tucson . The combination of SR 85 between I-10 and I-8 as well as I-8 between SR 85 and I-10 in Casa Grande has been promoted as

10220-461: The interchange and SR 109 was planned for early 1969. An interchange was planned at Midway Drive, and the western end of the freeway was to be at Sunset Cliffs and Nimitz boulevards. The cost of the SR 109 project was estimated to be $ 2.3 million (about $ 15 million in 2023 dollars). The ramp from south I-5 to Camino del Rio opened in February 1968, and a second ramp from southbound I-5 to eastbound I-8 opened in August 1968, with

10366-403: The junction with SR 71 ; from Temecula to that junction, the route was designated as SR 71 itself. In 1974, the part between the former junction with SR 71 and I-15 was added to SR 79, and removed from SR 71. Originally, SR 79 was routed on Sage Road between Hemet and Radec . Following the Cedar Fire in October 2003, utility poles and wires fell down on the highway, and the Cuyamaca area

10512-605: The jurisdiction of the San Diego Rural Fire Protection District ( View its District map ). With one exception, public schools in Ramona are operated by the Ramona Unified School District , which is governed by an elected five-person board of trustees. The exception was Sun Valley Charter High School . Although its charter was approved by the RUSD, it was governed by its own board. The charter school failed after

10658-419: The lake. The California Chamber of Commerce made the suggestion in 1962 to convert SR 79 from Descanso to Julian to be an expressway. However, in 1968 those plans were called into question when the county planning commission recommended that the freeway be realigned away from Cuyamaca State Park, or not be built at all. In the 1964 state highway renumbering , the highway was redefined as State Route 79, south of

10804-629: The land area of Ramona is measured: 1. The boundaries of the Ramona Municipal Water District (approximately 75 square miles (194 km ) ); 2. The boundaries of the Ramona Unified School District (approximately 150 square miles (390 km ) ), and; 3. The boundaries of the Ramona Community Planning Area . The last is the primary area utilized by San Diego County's regional planning agency, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). The Ramona Community Planning Area encompasses more than 84,000 acres (340 km ) (over 130 square miles (340 km )) in central San Diego County . The RCPA includes

10950-421: The latter of which was the highest AADT for the highway in California. I-8 enters Arizona from California at the Colorado River bridge at Yuma. It initially heads south through Yuma until the interchange with US 95 , where the freeway begins to turn to the east and passes through eastern Yuma and Fortuna Foothills , briefly paralleling US 95 and passing through a second border inspection station. In

11096-566: The latter of which was the highest AADT for the highway. A stage road went through Oak Grove , and stagecoaches ran from 1858 to 1861 on a route from San Francisco to St. Louis and Memphis . A ranch house, Warner's Ranch , near Warner Springs was a stop on both the San Antonio–San Diego Mail and the Butterfield Overland Mail . A railroad line to Cuyamaca was under construction by 1887, though in 1889

11242-722: The latter's intersection with the southern terminus of Harritt Road. At a cost of $ 3.44 million (about $ 25 million in 2023 dollars), the project reduced the grade and curves at what was known as "Tunnel Hill" that hindered the flow of traffic. The part of the freeway from west of Harritt Road to west of Alpine was up for bidding in October 1964, and the Highway Commission set aside $ 2.1 million (about $ 16 million in 2023 dollars) for this 1.6-mile-long (2.6 km) stretch in February 1965. A contract for $ 1.42 million (about $ 10 million in 2023 dollars)

11388-411: The level terrain, but failed to do so after the concrete mixer malfunctioned. That same year, bids for an Arizona plant inspection station near Winterhaven, next to the California agricultural inspection station, were submitted. The last 6.5-mile (10.5 km) part of the California portion, from near Algodones Road to west of the Arizona state line, was to enter the bidding phase in early 1972. I-8

11534-587: The median is over 1.5 mi (2.4 km) wide. This portion of the road is known for high winds through the canyons that have made driving difficult, sometimes resulting in closure of the freeway; in 1966, the California Highway Patrol estimated that winds blew at speeds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h). The route enters the Imperial Valley, where it intersects with SR 98, a highway leading to Calexico , and passes near

11680-499: The most rugged, hottest sections of San Diego and Imperial counties," according to The San Diego Union . Construction ran into difficulties following concerns regarding potential landslides. The westbound lanes were built first, and temporarily contained both directions of traffic while the old highway was converted into the eastbound lanes. The Los Angeles Times described the stretch east of Mountain Springs as follows: "Through it

11826-475: The movie projector. It also was known as the community dance hall and the site of costume balls. In the 1960s, boxer Archie Moore held a training camp called "Salt Mine" which trained George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. Moore fought from 1936 until 1963 and battled the top names in boxing at the time, including Rocky Marciano, Floyd Patterson and Muhammad Ali. He won 185 of his 219 bouts before retiring at 49 years old after losing to Ali. Moore's connection to San Diego

11972-505: The name Ramona in 1886, when a land speculation syndicate, headed by Milton Santee , "organized the Santa Maria Land & Water Company and acquired 3,200 acres (13 km ) for a townsite in the Santa Maria Valley and named it Ramona" after Helen Hunt Jackson 's recent novel Ramona , which had stirred a nationwide interest in a romanticized vision of Southern California. The next year the town reverted to Nuevo because there

12118-651: The national forest before passing through the La Posta and Campo Indian reservations. In Boulevard , I-8 has an interchange with the eastern end of SR 94 . I-8 straddles the San Diego – Imperial county line for a few miles before turning east. At the Mountain Springs/In-Ko-Pah grade, the freeway is routed down two separate canyons— Devils Canyon for westbound traffic and In-Ko-Pah Gorge for eastbound traffic—as it descends 3,000 ft (910 m) in 11 mi (18 km). In places,

12264-696: The national spotlight. 55-year-old former-tennis-great-turned-hustler, Bobby Riggs , challenged the then 30-year-old women's world number-one player, Margaret Court , to a match. The match was staged at Ramona's San Diego Country Estates . Riggs won easily, 6–2, 6–1. He later lost to Billie Jean King in The Battle of the Sexes at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas , on September 20, 1973. The Cedar Fire began in Ramona approximately 3 miles (5 km) east of

12410-424: The objections of Councilman Floyd Morrow, who objected to solving traffic issues by continuing to expand freeways. The cost was estimated to be $ 8 million (about $ 38 million in 2023 dollars). The La Mesa City Council asked the state to modify the interchange with SR 125 in 1974; the original interchange did not allow for access to SR 125 from I-8 east or to I-8 west from SR 125. Widening of

12556-457: The occupied units 4,187 (63.2%) were owner-occupied and 2,440 (36.8%) were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%. 12,399 people (61.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 7,769 people (38.3%) lived in rental housing units. The 2010 United States Census reported that Ramona CDP and San Diego Country Estates CDP combined had a population of 30,301. The racial makeup of this combination

12702-485: The old US 80 bridge, was dedicated on August 18, 1978; this completed I-8 from San Diego to Casa Grande. The Arizona Department of Transportation and the City of Yuma assisted in the planning process. By the time the California portion of the freeway was complete, the average cost was $ 1 million per mile (about $ 4 million in 2023 dollars). The bridge opened on September 20, 1978. The State of California

12848-480: The other side of the freeway was cut off. Plans were put in place to build frontage roads to improve access through the region. The 16-mile (26 km) portion of I-8 bypassing Holtville began construction in December ;1969, and was nearing completion in May 1971, to result in a continuous freeway that connected two existing segments from Crestwood in San Diego County to just west of Winterhaven. It

12994-507: The plan, including aesthetic concerns and objections from the nearby Pechanga tribe, were noted. During the mid-2010s, the part of SR 79 through Winchester was widened to four lanes up to Domenigoni Parkway. Due to increased traffic congestion through the San Jacinto Valley , there are plans to realign SR 79 to a new four-lane (eventually six-lane) limited-access expressway, spanning approximately 12 miles from East Newport Road to

13140-614: The population) lived in households, 114 (0.6%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 10 (0%) were institutionalized. There were 6,627 households, 2,631 (39.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 3,893 (58.7%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 788 (11.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 425 (6.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 419 (6.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 62 (0.9%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 1,091 households (16.5%) were one person and 429 (6.5%) had someone living alone who

13286-420: The population. There were 10,803 households, 45.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.5% were married couples living together, 8.67% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.41% were non-families. 13.2% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.79. In the RCPA the population was spread out, with 30.03% under

13432-527: The portion from SR 125 to El Cajon Boulevard to five lanes in each direction was under way in October. By 1981, the environmental impact report had been completed, and the $ 50 million (about $ 142 million in 2023 dollars) project to add ramps and widen I-8 was awaiting clearance from the Federal Highway Administration . Additional ramps to SR 67 were nearing completion in May ;1985, and were completed to I-15 north in October. In 1986,

13578-513: The portion of the freeway from west of Ogilby Road to east of Algodones Road was under construction, and projections were to have this portion completed by later that year. This $ 5.2 million (about $ 31 million in 2023 dollars) project also included resurfacing the freeway that had already been built through the Colorado Desert Sandhills; this part of the freeway had been built between 1961 and 1965. By this time, it

13724-492: The preservation of historical Old Town and keeping traffic through the area moving during construction. The goal was to begin the process in 1966, and complete the interchange in 1969. There were concerns about a $ 3 million shortfall in funding (about $ 22 million in 2023 dollars) during May 1966, which caused the San Diego Chamber of Commerce Highway Committee to recommend the completion of SR 109 as

13870-485: The process continued, concerns about increased smog from the additional traffic were raised in October 1967. A 3.7-mile (6.0 km) section to the east of Alpine was scheduled to have bidding opened in November of that year, and was to be finished in 1968; this would produce a continuous freeway from San Diego to the eastern terminus of this route. Both of these projects were underway by May 1968. An additional contract

14016-440: The project encountered problems from workers departing to work in the nearby gold mines. By 1906, the stage road ran from Temecula through Warner Springs into Santa Ysabel and Ramona , and regularly scheduled automobile service was to begin in 1908 between San Diego and Warner Hot Springs. That year, at a meeting between citizens of Oceanside and Escondido , each city proposed that a road from it to Warner Springs be constructed;

14162-400: The project revamping the SR 125 interchange was under way, at a cost of $ 80 million (about $ 189 million in 2023 dollars); it would add two more lanes to I-8 from Jackson Drive to Fuerte Drive, and allow for SR 125 to be extended north past I-8. By 1977, traffic had reached 172,300 vehicles a day, which had increased by nearly 10 percent over the previous year. It

14308-556: The projects to complete I-8 were projected to be complete by mid-1974. However, in March 1972, it was announced that the La Posta Road portion of the project would be delayed due to budget troubles. By the beginning of 1974, the new projected completion date for I-8 was mid-1975, with 22 mi (35 km) of two-lane highway remaining. The Pine Valley Creek bridge and the segment extending from Japatul Valley Road to Pine Valley

14454-575: The remainder of the project to be completed in summer 1969. The groundbreaking for the Ocean Beach Freeway took place on September 23, 1968, with the estimated completion to take place within 15 months. However, rain in February 1969 delayed many construction projects across the county, including the SR 109 extension. The entire project was completed in September, with the road scheduled to open in October. The routing of SR 109

14600-513: The remaining two-lane part of I-8 in between El Centro and San Diego due to the frequent traffic jams in between Japatul Valley and Crestwood. At this time, this was the only missing link through the mountains. Bidding took place on the $ 16.5 million (about $ 95 million in 2023 dollars) La Posta Road to Crestwood Road and the Japatul Valley Road to Sunrise Highway portions in November 1971. As part of this series of projects,

14746-505: The remnants of Hurricane Kathleen . I-8 is part of the National Highway System , a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration . The freeway from the eastern junction with California State Route 98 (SR 98) to the eastern end is designated as part of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail auto tour route, promoted by

14892-528: The reservoir at Diamond Valley Lake . SR 79 continues through the community of Winchester and turns east on SR 74 (Florida Avenue) west of Hemet . The section between the concurrencies with I-15 and SR 74 is signed as Winchester Road. In Hemet, SR 79 overlaps SR 74/Florida Avenue, following it eastward for a few miles before heading north again through San Jacinto. SR 79 goes over a range of hills (Lambs Canyon) and ends in Beaumont at Interstate 10 . SR 79

15038-746: The roads would meet somewhere in the San Luis Rey River valley. The president of the Escondido National Bank proposed a route from Escondido to Warner Springs shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, in 1911 The San Diego Union described the future road to Descanso, and described a "branch of the highway" that went through the Valley of the Pines "which for beauty cannot be surpassed in the United States" before continuing to Julian,

15184-723: The routes of both the Gila Trail and the Butterfield Overland Mail Company line. The latter was a stagecoach line that went between Tipton, Missouri , and San Francisco, with several stations in between, and was used to transport passengers across the country at 5 mph (8.0 km/h) between 1858 and 1861. In later years, the Southern Pacific Railroad was constructed, paralleling the Gila River east of Fortuna; by 1877,

15330-402: The southern end of the current divided highway portion at Ramona Expressway. The selected alignment would have access points at Domenigoni Parkway, Grand Avenue, SR 74 (Florida Avenue), Esplanade Avenue/Warren Road, Cottonwood Avenue, Sanderson Avenue, and Ramona Expressway, with additional grade separations at Stetson Avenue and Devonshire Avenue. An additional interchange with Mid County Parkway

15476-430: The state put its plans on hold shortly thereafter, following several concerns from the public, and from state senator Jim Ellis. A stagecoach road existed into the 19th century that passed through the mountains east of San Diego. Before the freeway was constructed, the automobile road through the mountains east of San Diego was narrow and wound through the mountains; it was officially dedicated in 1912. This trip

15622-689: The steep or mountainous terrain surrounding them. It also includes the Ballena Valley east of town, and Bandy Canyon and a small portion of the southern edge of the San Pasqual Valley. In the San Pasqual Valley, the RCPA abuts the City of San Diego . The historical town center of Ramona is located in the Santa Maria Valley. This valley was the Rancho Santa Maria , a Mexican land grant. The San Vicente Valley

15768-598: The summer and 4 °F (−16 °C) in winter, with winds reaching up to 80 mph (130 km/h). While using nuclear explosions to conduct blasting operations in the Laguna Mountains was considered as a possibility, the proposal was not considered to be practical at the time. Two cables and a hook were used to move girders into place; this was the first use of a cable in Southern California road construction. The portion from Boulevard to near

15914-489: The time it was renumbered as I-8 in the 1964 state highway renumbering ; east of San Diego, the US ;80 roadway was slowly replaced by I-8 as construction progressed in the Imperial Valley. The Arizona portion of the road was built starting in the 1960s. Several controversies erupted during the construction process; questionable labor practices in Imperial County led to the federal conviction of mobster Jimmy Fratianno , and

16060-631: The town's first house next to Amos' store. The Verlaque house, located at 645 Main Street in Ramona, is now home to the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society and its Guy B. Woodward Museum , and in 1991 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Ramona Town Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. It has also been known as Town Hall of Nuevo, and Barnett Hall. The Hall

16206-401: The tracks were complete to Yuma. Work continued the next year, and, by 1880, the tracks were extended to Tucson from Yuma. This portion of the route of US 80, predecessor of I-8, was originally part of the proposed state system of highways in 1921. By 1926, this section became part of the cross-country highway US 80 . The route was not paved at this time, but was a gravel road along

16352-541: The unincorporated town of Ramona, California, and is located in the foothills of the Laguna Mountains . It is located east northeast of the City of Poway (with which it shares a boundary), east southeast of the City of Escondido , north of Lakeside, California , and west southwest of Santa Ysabel, California . The RCPA consists primarily of the Santa Maria Valley and the San Vicente Valley, and

16498-465: The valley as the main east–west route. Plans for a new freeway across the southernmost reaches of California date from before 1950. The bridge over the Colorado River was replaced in 1956, at a cost of $ 1.2 million, and was in use until 1978, when the I-8 bridge was built. In 1957, the City of El Centro expressed a desire for the new freeway to replace US 80 to be routed along the southern limits of

16644-455: The western terminus of SR 371 before going through Aguanga . It then passes Vail Lake and parallels Temecula Creek as it approaches the Temecula city limits, where it becomes a city-maintained road. It overlaps I-15 for about three miles through Temecula. The ramps connecting SR 79 to I-15 are the first and third ramps northbound (second and fourth southbound) of those located between

16790-482: Was 20,292 at the 2010 census . The name Ramona also refers to an unincorporated community of San Diego (with some plans to incorporate) that includes both the Ramona CDP and the adjacent CDP of San Diego Country Estates . The population of the two CDPs, which does not include the fringe areas surrounding the CDPs, was 30,301 at the 2010 census, up from 25,223 at the 2000 census. The Ramona Community Planning Area had

16936-473: Was 24,994 (82.5%) White, 230 (0.8%) African American, 314 (1.0%) Native American, 426 (1.4%) Asian, 105 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 3,041 (10.0%) from other races, and 1,091 (3.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7,460 persons (24.6%). The United States census of 2000 included two census-designated places (CDP) - Ramona CDP and San Diego Country Estate CDP. Some areas of Ramona were not included in any CDP. The U.S. Census Bureau created

17082-587: Was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.04. There were 5,106 families (77.0% of households); the average family size was 3.36. The age distribution was 5,247 people (25.9%) under the age of 18, 2,140 people (10.5%) aged 18 to 24, 4,901 people (24.2%) aged 25 to 44, 5,945 people (29.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 2,059 people (10.1%) who were 65 or older. The median age was 36.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males. There were 7,083 housing units at an average density of 184.3 per square mile, of

17228-553: Was a two-lane road that still had many switchbacks , with one popularly known as "Dead Man's Curve". Construction of I-8 took place atop much of the roadbed of the highway from the early 1930s. The delay in extending a road to San Diego caused increased development in Los Angeles and resulted in that city becoming the trade and population center of Southern California, according to the San Diego Union . Completion of

17374-491: Was accepted as a chargeable Interstate by the American Association of State Highway Officials in 1957, and was added to the state highway system in 1964 by the California State Legislature ; the US 80 designation was removed at that time. The freeway that would become I-8 was constructed in the mid-20th century through the San Diego area. The section west of I-5 was originally part of SR 109, and

17520-415: Was added to I-8 in 1972. In later years, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) made efforts to widen the freeway as congestion increased. Much of Alvarado Canyon Road from San Diego to La Mesa was originally built between 1947 and 1950, a bypass of the old US 80 routing along El Cajon Boulevard and La Mesa Boulevard. Work began to convert the original US 80 divided highway into

17666-481: Was another town, in Los Angeles County, called Ramona. However, the other town did not flourish, and Nuevo permanently retook the name Ramona in 1894. [1] Today in Ramona, there stands a Mexican restaurant named "Nuevo Grill" in remembrance of the town's original name. The restaurant even features a few old pictures that date back to when the town was still called Nuevo. In 1886, Theophile Verlaque built

17812-421: Was built at a cost of $ 7.4 million (about $ 33 million in 2023 dollars). In June 1975, there were concerns regarding the state delaying new construction projects due to financial concerns, and the effects this would have on the bridge. The bid for the project was awarded to Novo-Rados Construction in October 1975, as one of the final projects before the construction freeze. The new bridge, which replaced

17958-446: Was built on two lots donated by Milton Santee, who as noted above headed up the Santa Maria Land & Water Company syndicate. Augustus and Martha Barnett donated the $ 17,000 "to the towns people of Nuevo, on Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1894." Ramona Town Hall was designed by architect William S. Hebbard , who later, with his partner, Irving Gill , produced San Diego's best architecture until its breakup in 1907. The building

18104-414: Was dedicated in 1912, and a plank road served as the first road across the Imperial Valley to Yuma; east of there, the Gila Trail continued east to Gila Bend . These were later replaced by U.S. Route 80 (US 80) across California and part of Arizona, and Arizona State Route 84 (SR 84) between Gila Bend and Casa Grande. The US 80 freeway through San Diego was largely complete by

18250-462: Was dedicated on November 24, 1974, and was scheduled to open on November 26; this left 8 mi (13 km) of freeway to be constructed. The final stretch of I-8 in California, from Sunrise Highway to La Posta Road, was completed in May 1975. The Buckman Springs rest area opened in January 1979 in eastern San Diego County. In 1987, the first 65 mph (105 km/h) speed limit sign

18396-406: Was estimated that the bypass would save travelers 20 minutes of travel time through the Imperial Valley. The cost of this project was $ 11.2 million (about $ 71 million in 2023 dollars). However, Holtville residents raised concerns about SR 115 providing the only access to the eastern part of the city, notably the narrow and curved portion leading from the freeway into town. Work on

18542-454: Was estimated that the drive from San Diego to El Centro now took 2 hours, as opposed to the 3.5 hours required two decades earlier, and the two days required in the pioneer era. This part of the freeway was opened in July 1970. As the freeway was constructed through the valley, it caused a break in many north–south roads. These breaks were located where access to the part of the road on

18688-502: Was expected to cost $ 45 million and be constructed in three parts, with one part being started each year. The segments between Japatul Valley Road and west of Laguna Junction, and from La Posta Road to west of Boulevard, were delayed for an entire year at the end of 1969 due to a nationwide effort to fight inflation by reducing spending. A 6.6-mile (10.6 km) segment from Buckman Springs to Crestwood received funding in May 1970, which would leave only an 8-mile (13 km) stretch of

18834-532: Was formerly part of the Rancho Cañada de San Vicente y Mesa del Padre Barona Mexican land grant. The San Diego Country Estates subdivision in Ramona is located in the San Vicente Valley. The Barona Indian Reservation, not part of the RCPA, is also within part of the Rancho Cañada de San Vicente y Mesa del Padre Barona Mexican land grant. Map of the Ramona Community Planning Area . According to

18980-468: Was given out for $ 7.8 million (about $ 52 million in 2023 dollars) in August to continue the freeway east from Alpine Street to Japatul Valley Road; this would bring the freeway near Descanso Junction. Roughly 5.5 million cubic yards (4.2 × 10 ^  m ) of dirt and rock were to be generated by all three of these construction projects, since half of a mountain would have to be removed with

19126-584: Was heavily damaged. The next year, part of SR 79 from the western junction of SR 78 to Engineers Road near Lake Cuyamaca was renamed the Firefighter Steven Rucker Memorial Highway, after the firefighter from Novato who died while volunteering to fight the wildfire in Wynola . The City of Temecula proposed the construction of a four-lane road from State Route 79 that would bypass the city in 2005, though several obstacles to

19272-580: Was his retreat, the Salt Mine Training Camp in Ramona. He called it “Salt Mine” because he said he worked as hard there to get ready for fights as anyone did in a salt mine. The property, at the foot of Mt. Woodson, included 120 acres (49 ha) with five homes, a boxing ring, a sweatbox (steam room) and miles of winding country roads and trails that Moore used for road work. Moore often encountered rattlesnakes and even mountain lions on his runs. On Mother's Day, May 13, 1973, Ramona entered

19418-407: Was hoped that the construction of SR 52 would help to reduce the congestion. A revised Mission Gorge Road eastbound exit opened in 1979, merging with traffic from I-15. Traffic reached 212,000 vehicles a day by February 1981, and Caltrans declared I-8 east of I-805 the busiest highway in the region. In 1987, Caltrans determined that I-8 west between College Avenue and Waring Road had

19564-552: Was imprisoned when he did not pay, but was released in September 1969. His ex-wife, Jewell, as well as the company, were fined $ 4,014 (about $ 23,000 in 2023 dollars) individually for their responsibility in the matter. For the state charges, he was sentenced in 1969 to one to three years in prison, after pleading guilty to the charges. He was incarcerated in Chico State Prison following a parole violation until 1973. Following Tropical Storm Kathleen in September 1976,

19710-401: Was in planning by that September, and was scheduled to begin the building phase shortly thereafter, with the section extending west of Boulevard to follow. That section, from Crestwood to Boulevard, was to begin construction soon after the $ 3 million (about $ 22 million in 2023 dollars) contract was given out in January 1966. The coming of the freeway from both west and east of Jacumba

19856-502: Was issued in August 1965. The entire 6-mile (9.7 km) stretch from Lake Jennings Road to Harbison Canyon Road was under construction by September 1965 and was scheduled to be complete by the next year. In the Mountain Springs pass between San Diego and Imperial counties, the eastbound lanes traverse the pass on the former roadbed of US 80 through In-Ko-Pah Gorge near Myers Creek . The westbound lanes were placed on

20002-401: Was known to take up to four hours, and frequently resulted in the radiator boiling over, flat tires, or broken fan belts ; inclement weather would result in cars becoming mired in the mud. The road was paved in 1926, and was open by 1927; remnants of this road were still present in the late 20th century. Another road was built in the early 1930s, to remove curves and widen the lanes. This

20148-639: Was no conflict of interest. The truck drivers were given $ 36,000 (about $ 251,000 in 2023 dollars) in back pay from the state government. Fratianno and Bompensiero were charged with fraud, as well as state labor and public utility code violations. While charges were dropped against Bompensiero, Fratianno was found guilty. The Imperial County Board of Supervisors estimated that $ 25,000 (about $ 758,000 in 2023 dollars) in damage to county roads took place due to overloaded trucks. The federal government fined him $ 10,000 (about $ 67,000 in 2023 dollars), which he never paid, and placed him on probation for three years; he

20294-654: Was officially added to I-8 in 1972. Even before the freeway was complete in California, bidding began in 1964 on widening I-8 from six to eight lanes between near Fairmount Avenue and Spring Street, in San Diego and La Mesa. Three years later, a contract was granted for the widening of the Fairmount Avenue to Ward Road stretch, adding two lanes to the freeway. In 1974, the San Diego City Council reached an agreement with state officials to improve I-8 from east of Pacific Highway to Texas Street, over

20440-479: Was posted east of El Cajon, the first one in the state; the speed limit on all I-8 east of El Cajon, except for the Mountain Springs Grade portion, was raised similarly. The highway through Imperial Valley was originally a plank road made of pieces of wood that were tied together. The Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge across the Colorado River was open in 1915. Following this, US 80 was built through

20586-566: Was potentially responsible. Both companies were awarded the contracts to transport dirt during the construction of I-8 in El Centro. Drivers were coerced to agree to buy the trucks, although the Fratianno Company still retained the ownership; they also had portions of their wages withheld from them. Following this, the drivers were loaned money from Leo Moceri, another mafia leader. An investigation in early 1966 after complaints from

20732-458: Was projected to be a significant event in the history of the town. Cafes and gas stations went out of business once the freeway bypassed the town; however, many retirees relocated into the town since the high traffic levels were gone. The labeling of the town Boulevard as Manzanita on I-8 signs raised controversy and forced the Division of Highways to obscure the name on the signs until the issue

20878-422: Was resolved. Construction continued with the issuing of a $ 6.55 million contract (about $ 46 million in 2023 dollars) to widen a 5.7-mile (9.2 km) section of I-8 through Alpine, from Harbison Canyon to east of West Victoria Drive, and to begin construction in April or May 1967, to be completed in 1969. This would leave only a 30-mile (48 km) stretch of I-8 that was not at freeway standards. As

21024-593: Was responsible for the bridge erection, even though the State of Arizona owned half of the bridge. Jimmy Fratianno was associated with Frank Bompensiero , the San Diego mafia leader, in a criminal lawsuit involving the Fratianno Trucking Company and the Miles and Sons Trucking Company in 1966; he was known to law enforcement as "the Mafia's West Coast executioner," with up to 16 deaths for which he

21170-417: Was scheduled to be completed in the summer of 1975 between San Diego and Yuma, although there would be a break in the freeway around Yuma; this occurred by October 1975. At the time the California portion was completed, it was the preferred route to Phoenix from some areas of Los Angeles, since I-10 had not been completed. The missing portion of the highway was the new bridge over the Colorado River, which

21316-439: Was to become SR 79 was defined as Route 78 in 1933. The Butterfield Overland Mail stage road was selected as the route of Imperial Highway . In 1947, a contract to grade and pave part of what was known as State Sign Route 79 between Santa Ysabel and Julian was let, as paving of the highway progressed. The next year, plans were presented to realign part of the road between Julian and Cuyamaca, including one proposal to have it cross

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