California State Route 67

State Route 67: A Highway Through Time

Imagine a road that has seen it all—railroads, stagecoaches, freeways, and everything in between. That’s State Route 67 (SR 67) in San Diego County, California.

Starting at Interstate 8 in El Cajon, SR 67 winds its way through the picturesque landscapes of Lakeside as the San Vicente Freeway before becoming an undivided highway through Poway. It ends at SR 78, providing direct access to East County regions like Ramona and Julian.

From Railroad Corridor to Freeway

How did this road transform from a simple railroad corridor into the bustling highway it is today?

In 1913, a new route was surveyed, reducing the distance from San Diego to Julian by five miles. Progress on grading fell behind expectations in 1920, but the paved section between Santee and El Cajon was completed that year. By July 1922, the paved section between Foster and Julian opened, with the remaining unpaved road between Ramona and Julian to be funded with state and county taxes.

In 1926, the Julian road was declared a county boulevard, and it became part of the state highway system in 1933. The road underwent significant changes, including realignment, widening, and repaving between Lakeside and Mount Woodson from 1942 to 1943.

The Freeway Era

When did SR 67 become a freeway, and what challenges came with it?

In the early 1970s, SR 67 became a freeway. Sections opened from 1967 to 1970, but the portion north of Lakeside is still prone to high traffic accidents and fatalities. The highway gained notoriety as ‘Slaughterhouse Alley’ due to its unsafe conditions.

Despite Caltrans considering head-on collisions on SR 67 safe in 2009, a lawsuit filed by crash survivors was dismissed in favor of the agency. Signs were installed to promote safe driving habits after 24 people died from accidents between January 2007 and December 2010.

Renovations and Challenges

What renovations have been proposed, and what challenges did they face?

In 1983, the Kassler Corporation renovated the I-8 interchange for $9.1 million. SR 67 was proposed to be widened in 1985, but a northbound offramp at Woodside Avenue was never built due to traffic congestion.

There were proposals to renovate the I-8 interchange and widen the highway from Poway Road to Dye Road, but these plans faced delays or rejection due to funding issues or opposition. Call boxes were installed on SR 67 in 1994.

The road suffered damage from the 2003 Cedar Fire, and traffic jams were common during local wildfires in 2007. The interchange with SR 52 began construction in 2008 but was delayed due to weather-related issues. It opened to traffic in 2011 at a cost of $525 million.

Conclusion

SR 67, like the state it serves, has seen its share of ups and downs. From its humble beginnings as a railroad corridor to becoming a major highway, SR 67 continues to evolve, facing challenges but also making significant strides in safety and infrastructure.