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All the United States California San Diego Abandoned Freeway Stub on State Route 163

Abandoned Freeway Stub on State Route 163

The freeway that never was.

San Diego, California

Added By
rushwaver
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Built in 1961.   rushwaver / Atlas Obscura User
Looking northeast toward California Tower.   rushwaver / Atlas Obscura User
  marcwhitaker / Atlas Obscura User
September 2024   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
September 2024   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
September 2024  
September 2024   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
September 2024   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
The ‘onramp’ leading to the actual freeway.   johnhealey / Atlas Obscura User
Top of the staircase to access the abandoned freeway   johnhealey / Atlas Obscura User
  marcwhitaker / Atlas Obscura User
Looking south along the freeway stub toward SR 163 and I-5.   rushwaver / Atlas Obscura User
  marcwhitaker / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In the 1960s, San Diego proposed to expand what is now known as State Route 163, the Cabrillo Freeway, through Balboa Park to an 8- to 10-lane freeway. Public protest stopped the freeway from expanding more than its existing four lanes, but not before a portion of the SR 163/I-5 freeway connection began construction. The built portion would have extended north over a pedestrian walkway. The stub is still visible today from the Bridle Trail in Balboa Park and connects to the SR 163/I-5 interchange, modeled after the "Four Level" US 101/SR 110 interchange in Los Angeles.

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Transportation Infrastructure

Know Before You Go

Walk south on the paved pedestrian path on the south side of El Prado that is west of the Cabrillo Bridge and just east of Balboa Drive. Stay on this paved path, bearing left until you see the top of the signed Juniper Staircase. Walk down the stairs and continue straight ahead off the trail until you come to the fence around the Abandoned Freeway Stub.  

Community Contributors

Added By

rushwaver

Edited By

johnhealey, bluceleste87, marcwhitaker, ccesare

  • johnhealey
  • bluceleste87
  • marcwhitaker
  • ccesare

Published

November 9, 2016

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Sources
  • http://www.aaroads.com/california/ca-163.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unused_highways_in_California
  • http://www.aaroads.com/california/ca-163.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unused_highways_in_California
Abandoned Freeway Stub on State Route 163
Bridle Trail
San Diego, California
United States
32.729589, -117.155512
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