It is hereby declared to be essential to the future development of the State of California to establish and construct a statewide system of freeways and expressways and connections thereto without regard to present jurisdiction over the highways, roads, and streets that might be included. It is the intent, further, that the California Freeway and Expressway System be completed with provision for control of access to the extent necessary to preserve the value and utility of the facilities to be constructed.
The State Highway SystemThe California Freeway and Expressway System
Section § 250
This law states that for California's future growth, a statewide network of freeways and expressways needs to be built. It doesn't matter which government body currently oversees the roads involved. Additionally, this system will have controls to manage access, ensuring its long-term usefulness and value.
statewide freeway system expressway development access control
Section § 251
This law emphasizes the importance of fixing issues on California's state highways that aren't part of the freeway and expressway system, at the same time as fixing the actual freeway and expressway system. The goal is to address these problems based on their seriousness and how much they impact traffic flow.
It is further declared to be essential to the future development of the State of California that the deficiencies on the State Highway System not a part of the California Freeway and Expressway System and deficiencies on connections to the State Highway System be corrected simultaneously with the highways in the California Freeway and Expressway System in proportion to the relative deficiencies and the needs of traffic service.
state highway system California freeway expressway system
Section § 252
This law emphasizes that California's rapid growth requires regular updates to the freeway and expressway systems. It highlights the need for highway planning and construction to align with a strategic plan for a network of access-controlled roads across the state. These systems were meticulously chosen and developed based on scientific research conducted by various government levels.
The Legislature recognizes that the dynamic growth of this State will require periodic review of the California Freeway and Expressway System. The Legislature recognizes further that all highway planning and construction work should be correlated with a plan to provide a comprehensive system of access-controlled freeways and expressways throughout the State, and that the California Freeway and Expressway System established by this article has been selected and developed as a result of scientific studies by all levels of government in the State of California.
California freeway system expressway planning access-controlled roads
Section § 253
This law establishes the California Freeway and Expressway System, which includes the specific highways listed in this article.
The California Freeway and Expressway System is hereby established and shall be composed of the highways specified in this article.
California Freeway System Expressway System highways
Section § 253.1
This law lists all the numbered routes that are officially included in California's freeway and expressway system. These include many major highways, each designated by its specific route number.
The California freeway and expressway system shall include:
Routes 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 24, 28, 32, 34, 37, 40, 44, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65, 67, 68, 70, 71, 73, 74, 78, 80, 81, 83, 85, 87, 88, 89, 90, 93, 97, 100, 102, 103, 105, 107, 108, 118, 121, 122, 124, 125, 126, 134, 136, 139, 140, 145, 148, 149, 154, 156, 161, 163, 164, 179, 181, 183, 184, 199, 205, 210, 215, 217, 221, 223, 230, 232, 234, 235, 237, 238, 239, 241, 242, 247, 249, 251, 257, 258, 259, 261, 280, 330, 371, 380, 405, 505, 580, 605, 680, 780, 805, 880, and 980 in their entirety.
freeway system expressway system California routes
Section § 253.2
This section details which routes are included in California's freeway and expressway system. It outlines specific segments of Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 16, 17, and 20 that are part of the system. For example, parts of Route 1 range from the Los Angeles-Ventura county line to the San Francisco county line in sections. Other specified routes similarly cover designated starting and ending points, linking cities, landmarks, and key highways throughout the state.
The California freeway and expressway system shall also include:
Route 1 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(a) Los Angeles-Ventura county line to Route 101 near El Rio.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(b) Route 101 near Las Cruces to Route 227 south of Oceano.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(c) Route 101 near San Luis Obispo to San Simeon.
(d)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(d) The north limits of Carmel to the west city limits of Santa Cruz.
(e)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(e) The Higgins-Purisima Road to Route 280 south of San Francisco.
(f)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(f) Route 280 to the San Francisco county line.
(g)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(g) Route 101 near the southerly end of Marin Peninsula to the vicinity of Valley Ford.
(h)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(h) Route 128 near the mouth of the Navarro River to Route 101 near Leggett.
Route 2 from Glendale Boulevard in Los Angeles County to Route 210.
Route 3 from Route 299 near Weaverville to Route 5 near Yreka.
Route 4 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(a) Route 80 in Hercules to Route 99 near Stockton.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(b) Route 99 near Stockton to Route 65.
Route 12 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(a) Route 1 near Valley Ford to Route 101 at Santa Rosa.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(b) Route 101 near Santa Rosa to Melita Road near Santa Rosa.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(c) Route 29 in the vicinity of Napa to Route 80 near Cordelia.
(d)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(d) Route 80 near Fairfield to Route 99 near Lodi via Rio Vista.
(e)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(e) Route 99 near Lodi to Route 88 near Lockeford.
(f)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(f) Route 88 near Clements to Route 49 near San Andreas.
Route 13 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(a) Route 61 near the Oakland International Airport to Route 24.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(b) Route 80 to Route 61 near Emeryville.
Route 16 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(a) Route 505 to Route 5 near Woodland.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(b) Route 50 near Perkins to Route 49 near Drytown.
Route 17 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(a) Route 1 near Santa Cruz to Granite Creek Road near Scott’s Valley.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.2(b) The south city limits of Los Gatos to Route 280 in San Jose.
Route 20 from Route 101 to Route 80 near Emigrant Gap.
California freeway system Route 1 inclusion Route 2 Glendale
Section § 253.3
This section outlines various routes that are part of the California freeway and expressway system. Key routes include Route 22, spanning from Long Beach to near Orange, and Route 23, stretching from Thousand Oaks to near Fillmore. Route 25 connects areas like Paicines, Hollister, and Gilroy, while Route 26 goes from just outside Stockton to Route 12. Additional routes involve interesting links, such as Route 29 passing through Vallejo and Napa, and Route 41 reaching into Yosemite National Park.
The California freeway and expressway system shall also include:
Route 22 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(a) Studebaker Road in Long Beach to Route 405.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(b) Route 405 to Route 55 near Orange.
Route 23 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(a) Route 101 in Thousand Oaks to Route 118.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(b) Route 118 to Route 126 near Fillmore.
Route 25 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(a) Route 180 near Paicines to Route 156 in Hollister.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(b) Route 156 in Hollister to Route 101 near Gilroy.
Route 26 from Route 99 near Stockton to Route 12.
Route 29 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(a) Route 80 near Vallejo to Oak Knoll Avenue north of the City of Napa.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(b) The Napa-Lake county line to Route 20.
Route 33 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(a) Route 101 near Ventura to Route 150.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(b) Route 150 to Route 166 near Maricopa.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(c) Route 152 west of Los Banos to Route 5 near Santa Nella.
Route 35 from Route 280 to Route 1 near Daly City.
Route 36 from Route 5 at Red Bluff to Route 395.
Route 38 from Route 10 near Redlands to Route 18 near Baldwin Lake.
Route 39 from Route 5 to Route 210.
Route 41 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(a) Route 1 near Morro Bay to Route 101 near Atascadero.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(b) Route 46 to Route 99 near Fresno.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(c) Route 99 near Fresno to Route 180.
(d)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.3(d) Route 180 to Yosemite National Park.
Route 43 from Route 5 to Route 99 near Selma.
Route 45 from Route 20 near Colusa to Route 32 near Hamilton City.
California freeway system Route 22 Route 23
Section § 253.4
This California law outlines the specific routes that are part of the state's freeway and expressway system. It includes certain segments of Routes 46, 49, 58, 62, 76, and 77. Each route covers specific starting and ending points, like Route 46 from San Luis Obispo County to Famoso and Route 76 from Oceanside to Route 15. This section is about the detailed inclusion of these routes as official parts of the system.
The California freeway and expressway system shall also include:
Route 46 from Route 101 in San Luis Obispo County to Route 99 near Famoso.
Route 49 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.4(a) Route 41 near Oakhurst to Route 140 at Mariposa.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.4(b) Route 108 south of Jamestown to Route 108 near Sonora.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.4(c) Route 88 near Jackson to Route 50 near Placerville.
(d)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.4(d) Route 80 near Auburn to Route 20 in Grass Valley.
(e)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.4(e) Route 20 at Nevada City to Route 89 near Sattley.
(f)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.4(f) Route 89 near Sierraville to Route 70 near Vinton.
Route 58 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.4(a) Route 5 to Route 43.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.4(b) Route 43 to Route 99.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.4(c) Route 99 near Bakersfield to Route 15 near Barstow.
Route 62 from Route 10 near Whitewater to Route 247 near Yucca Valley.
Route 76 from Route 5 near Oceanside to Route 15.
Route 77 from Route 93 westerly of Moraga to Route 24 near Lafayette.
California freeway system expressway routes Route 46
Section § 253.5
This section of the California Streets and Highways Code outlines the various routes included in the state's freeway and expressway system. It specifies the start and end points of Routes 79, 84, 86, 91, 92, 94, 95, 99, 101, and 110. Each route connects different parts of California, delineating access between key locations like Temecula, Hemet, Livermore, Brawley, Riverside, San Diego, and more.
The California freeway and expressway system also includes:
Route 79 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(a) Route 8 near Descanso to Route 78.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(b) Route 371 near Aguanga to Route 15 near Temecula.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(c) Route 15 near Temecula to Route 74 near Hemet.
(d)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(d) Route 74 near Hemet to Route 10 near Beaumont.
Route 84 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(a) The westerly approach to the Dumbarton Bridge to Route 880.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(b) Route 880 to Route 238.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(c) Route 680 near Scotts Corners to Route 580 in Livermore.
(d)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(d) Route 580 in Livermore to Route 4 near Brentwood.
(e)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(e) Route 12 at Rio Vista to Route 50 near Broderick.
Route 86 from Route 78 near Brawley to Route 10 in Indio.
Route 91 from Route 405 to Route 215 near Riverside.
Route 92 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(a) Route 1 near Half Moon Bay to Route 280.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(b) Route 280 to Route 238.
Route 94 from Route 5 near San Diego to 0.3 miles east of Sweetwater Bridge.
Route 95 from Route 10 near Blythe to Route 40 near Needles.
Route 99 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(a) Route 5 south of Bakersfield to Route 50 in Sacramento.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(b) Route 5 in Sacramento to Route 36 near Red Bluff.
Route 101 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(a) Route 5 near Seventh Street in Los Angeles to near Fell Street in San Francisco.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.5(b) A point in Marin County opposite San Francisco to the Oregon state line north of Crescent City.
Route 110 from Route 47 to Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena.
California freeways expressway system Route 79
Section § 253.6
This section of the California Streets and Highways Code details parts of the California freeway and expressway system. It lists routes included in the system, specifying starting and ending points for each. For instance, Route 111 starts at the international boundary south of Calexico and connects to various destinations, including Route 86 via Salton Sea. Other routes mentioned include 113 from Davis to Tudor and 116 from Forestville to Schellville, among others. Each route has its specific sections and endpoints outlined.
The California freeway and expressway system shall also include:
Route 111 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(a) The international boundary south of Calexico to Route 78 near Brawley passing east of Heber.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(b) Route 78 near Brawley to Route 86 near Mecca via the north shore of the Salton Sea.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(c) San Rafael Drive in Palm Springs to Route 10 near Whitewater.
Route 113 from Route 80 near Davis to Route 99 near Tudor.
Route 116 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(a) Route 181 near Forestville to Route 101 near Cotati.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(b) Route 101 near Petaluma to Route 121 near Schellville.
Route 120 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(a) Route 5 near Mossdale to the west boundary of Yosemite National Park.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(b) The east boundary of Yosemite National Park to Route 395 near Mono Lake.
Route 127 from Route 15 near Baker to Route 190 near Death Valley Junction.
Route 128 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(a) The mouth of the Navarro River to Route 101 near Cloverdale.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(b) Route 101 to Route 29 at Calistoga.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(c) Route 121 to Route 113 near Davis.
Route 132 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(a) Route 580 west of Vernalis to Route 99 at Modesto.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.6(b) Route 99 to Route 65.
freeway system expressway system Route 111
Section § 253.7
This section of the California Streets and Highways Code outlines specific routes that are part of the state's freeway and expressway system. It lists various Route numbers and their endpoints, detailing the connections between them. For example, Route 133 runs from Route 73 to Route 241, and Route 168 extends from Fresno to Huntington Lake. Some routes have multiple segments, each defined by their start and end points, such as Route 160 and Route 166.
The California freeway and expressway system shall also include:
Route 133 from Route 73 to Route 241.
Route 137 from Route 99 near Tulare to Route 65 near Lindsay.
Route 138 from Route 5 near Gorman to Route 15 near Cajon Pass.
Route 142 from Route 71 near Chino to Route 210 near Upland.
Route 152 from Route 101 to Route 65 near Sharon via Pacheco Pass.
Route 160 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.7(a) Route 4 near Antioch to Route 12 near Rio Vista.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.7(b) Sacramento to Route 51.
Route 166 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.7(a) Route 101 near Santa Maria to Route 33 in Cuyama Valley.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.7(b) Route 33 near Maricopa to Route 5.
Route 168 from Fresno to Huntington Lake.
Route 170 from Route 101 near Riverside Drive to Route 5 near Tujunga Wash.
Route 178 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.7(a) Bakersfield to Route 14 near Freeman.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.7(b) Route 14 near Freeman to the vicinity of the San Bernardino county line.
Route 180 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.7(a) Route 25 near Paicines to Route 5.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.7(b) Route 5 to Route 99 passing near Mendota.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.7(c) Route 99 near Fresno to General Grant Grove section of Kings Canyon National Park.
Route 190 from Route 136 near Keeler to Route 127 near Death Valley Junction.
Route 193 from Route 65 near Lincoln to Route 80 near Newcastle.
Route 198 from Route 5 near Oilfields to the Sequoia National Park line.
California freeway system expressway routes Route 133
Section § 253.8
This part of California law defines certain routes that are included in the state's freeway and expressway system. These routes are:
- Route 227: From Route 1 south of Oceano to Route 101 near Arroyo Grande
- Route 244: From Route 80 to Auburn Boulevard
- Route 299: From Route 101 near Arcata to Route 395 at Alturas
- Route 395, split into three sections covering from Route 15 near Cajon Pass to the Nevada state line, from the Nevada state line northwest of Reno to Route 36 near Johnstonville, and from Route 36 near Termo to the Oregon state line
- Route 905: From Route 5 near the south end of San Diego Bay to the international boundary south of Brown Field
The California freeway and expressway system shall also include:
Route 227 from Route 1 south of Oceano to Route 101 near Arroyo Grande.
Route 244 from Route 80 to Auburn Boulevard.
Route 299 fromRoute 101 near Arcata to Route 395 at Alturas.
Route 395 from:
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.8(a) Route 15 near Cajon Pass to the Nevada state line.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.8(b) Nevada state line northwest of Reno to Route 36 near Johnstonville.
(c)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.8(c) Route 36 near Termo to the Oregon state line.
Route 905 from Route 5 near the south end of San Diego Bay to the international boundary southerly of Brown Field.
Route 227 Route 244 Route 299
Section § 253.9
This law states that Route 710 will be part of California's freeway and expressway system. It includes three specific segments: from Route 47 to Route 1, from Route 1 near Long Beach to Alhambra Avenue in Los Angeles, and from California Boulevard in Pasadena to Route 210. This law will take effect on January 1, 2024.
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.9(a) The California freeway and expressway system shall also include Route 710 from:
(1)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.9(a)(1) Route 47 to Route 1.
(2)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.9(a)(2) Route 1 near the City of Long Beach to Alhambra Avenue in the City of Los Angeles.
(3)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.9(a)(3) California Boulevard in the City of Pasadena to Route 210.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.9(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2024.
Route 710 California freeway system expressway system
Section § 253.9
This law states that Route 710 will be part of California's freeway and expressway system. It includes three specific segments: from Route 47 to Route 1, from Route 1 near Long Beach to Alhambra Avenue in Los Angeles, and from California Boulevard in Pasadena to Route 210. This law will take effect on January 1, 2024.
(a)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.9(a) The California freeway and expressway system shall also include Route 710 from:
(1)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.9(a)(1) Route 47 to Route 1.
(2)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.9(a)(2) Route 1 near the City of Long Beach to Alhambra Avenue in the City of Los Angeles.
(3)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.9(a)(3) California Boulevard in the City of Pasadena to Route 210.
(b)CA Streets And Highways Code § 253.9(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2024.
Route 710 California freeway system expressway system
Section § 254
This law explains that when the California commission identifies specific parts of state highways for inclusion in the freeway and expressway system, they officially designate those areas. These designated highways must be planned with necessary access controls to safeguard any improvements made and to enable them to become full freeways or expressways if needed in the future. This official designation means these highway sections are recognized as freeways under another section of the law.
As specific locations are determined by the commission for portions of state highways included in the California freeway and expressway system, the commission shall designate the particular portion as a part of the California freeway and expressway system and the planning and design of such highways shall include provision for such access control as the department and the commission determine essential to protect the investment of any improvements made and to permit the ultimate development of a full freeway or an expressway when traffic and other conditions require. Such declaration by the commission shall have the effect of declaring the particular portion affected a freeway within the meaning of Section 100.2.
California freeway system expressway system state highways
Section § 255
This law says that the department responsible for state highways in California can either buy or use legal means to end access rights (easements) to a state highway. However, these actions do not change the highway's classification or include it into the California Freeway and Expressway System.
Nothing contained in this article shall prevent the department, either by acquisition or by condemnation, from terminating easements of access to any state highway not in the California Freeway and Expressway System, provided that such action by the department shall not have the effect of including the highway in the California Freeway and Expressway System.
easements of access state highway access termination
Section § 256.1
Before a highway or part of it can be removed from the state highway system, a public hearing must be conducted by the commission or department. They have to notify the local city and county governments in the affected areas in writing about this recommendation and also publish the notice in a local newspaper.
If there is controversy or no agreement locally, they can choose a hearing location that is accessible to the affected communities, the public, and themselves.
Prior to recommending to the Legislature the deletion of a highway, or a portion thereof, from the state highway system, the commission or the department shall hold a public hearing on, and shall give written notices to the legislative bodies of the cities and counties located in the affected area of, the proposed recommendation, and shall publish notice of the public hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the areas affected by the proposed deletion. The commission or the department may, at its own option, because of controversy or lack of local consensus, hold the hearing at a location which is reasonably convenient to the communities affected by the proposed deletion, to the general public, and to the commission or the department in the discharge of its regular business.
highway deletion state highway system public hearing
Section § 257
In this section, the terms 'freeway' and 'expressway' are defined specifically for clarity. A 'freeway' is a major highway designed for smooth and uninterrupted traffic flow, complete with divisions and no intersections, as access is tightly controlled. An 'expressway' is also a major highway but may have some access points and intersections, with or without divisions, creating potential interruptions in traffic flow.
For the purpose of this article only, and to distinguish between the terms “freeway” and “expressway,” the word “freeway” shall mean a divided arterial highway for through traffic with full control of access and with grade separations at intersections, while the word “expressway” shall mean an arterial highway for through traffic which may have partial control of access, but which may or may not be divided or have grade separations at intersections.
freeway definition expressway definition divided highway
