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.
The Bridle Trail pedestrian path passes directly beside the freeway stub, near the top of the Juniper Staircase on park path 34 south of the Cabrillo Bridge. The freeway stub connects to the actively used freeway. Use caution in the area. To access it, there is a hole in the fence which leads to an abandoned freeway onramp. It wasn't a unique visit, but something to go have a gander at when visiting the church.
