Special routes of U.S. Route 101 explained

Country:USA
Type:US
Route:101
List Type:Special routes

A total of fifteen special routes of U.S. Route 101 exist.

Los Angeles alternate route

State:CA
Type:US-Alt
Route:101
Location:Los Angeles, California
Formed:Mid-1930s
Deleted:1964

Present SR 1 in the Los Angeles area was U.S. Route 101 Alternate from the mid-1930s to 1964.

Los Angeles bypass route

State:CA
Type:US-Byp
Route:101
Location:Los Angeles – Anaheim, California
Formed:Early-1940s
Deleted:Mid-1950s

The precursor to the Santa Ana Freeway between Los Angeles and Anaheim was U.S. Route 101 Bypass from the early 1940s to the mid-1950s, when it became part of US 101. Old US 101 there is now partially SR 72.

Ventura business loop

State:CA
Type:US-Bus
Route:101
Location:Ventura, California

US 101 Business in Ventura, California is a business loop that follows the former U.S. 101 alignment before the construction of the Ventura Freeway. The route runs along the entirety of Thompson Boulevard and portions of Main Street and Garden Street.

San Francisco bypass route

State:CA
Type:US-Byp
Route:101
Location:El Camino Real, California
Formed:1938
Deleted:1964

The Bayshore Highway between San Jose and San Francisco was designated as part of US 101 in 1936, replacing El Camino Real (which became US 101 Alternate).[1] [2] At the urging of local businesses and groups, a proposal was submitted to AASHO to move US 101 back to El Camino Real, which was approved in 1938 alongside the creation of US 101 Bypass for the Bayshore Highway.[3] Other proposals included signing El Camino Real as US 101 Scenic.[4]

The Bayshore Freeway was constructed to replace the original highway between 1947 and 1962.[5] US 101 was later rerouted onto the Bayshore Freeway during the 1964 renumbering and replaced US 101 Bypass entirely. Until then, US 101 used SR 82 (El Camino Real) and I-280.

Rio Dell business loop

See main article: U.S. Route 101 Business (Rio Dell, California).

State:CA
Type:US-Bus
Route:101
Location:Rio Dell

US 101 Business, called Wildwood Avenue, is a business loop of US 101 through Rio Dell. Its southernmost section between US 101 near Scotia to the north end of the Eel River Bridge is legally defined as an unsigned California State Route 283.

Fortuna business loop

State:CA
Type:US-Bus
Route:101
Location:Fortuna

US 101 Business, called Main Street and Fortuna Blvd in its entirety, is a business loop ofUS 101 through Fortuna.

McKinleyville business loop

State:CA
Type:US-Bus
Route:101
Location:McKinleyville

US 101 Business, called Central Ave its entirety, is a business loop ofUS 101 through McKinleyville.

Astoria business loop

State:OR
Type:US-Bus
Route:101
Length Mi:7.40
Length Ref:[6] [7]
Established:1965
Location:AstoriaWarrenton, Oregon

U.S. Route 101 Business is a business loop of US 101 that travels from Astoria to Warrenton. It is a former alignment of US 101, bypassed in 1964 when a new bridge opened across Youngs Bay; the business designation for the old route was approved by AASHO in 1965. The Oregon State Highway Commission originally requested the designation of U.S. Route 101 Alternate, which was rejected.[8]

Major intersections

Ilwaco alternate route

State:WA
Type:US-Alt
Route:101
Location:Long Beach, Washington
Formed:1931

U.S. Route 101 Alternate is an alternate route of U.S. Route 101 that bypasses the towns of Long Beach and Ilwaco in southwestern Washington.

Notes and References

  1. 1938 . Road Map of the State of California, 1938 . 1:1,463,040 . S.F. Bay Region inset . California Department of Public Works . David Rumsey Map Collection . August 2, 2023.
  2. News: August 14, 1936 . Alternate Sign Markers Urged for El Camino . 1 . . Newspapers.com . August 2, 2023.
  3. News: July 20, 1938 . El Camino Real Is Designated As U.S. Highway No. 101 . 6A . . Associated Press . Newspapers.com . August 2, 2023.
  4. News: January 29, 1938 . Smith Raps Opposition to Movement to Restore Camino Real; Many Oppose Moving Signs . 2 . San Mateo Times . Newspapers.com . August 2, 2023.
  5. News: Remington . W. G. . March 1962 . Bayshore Freeway: San Jose to San Francisco Is Now All Full Freeway . 5–8 . 41 . 3–4 . California Highways and Public Works . California Department of Public Works . California Department of Transportation Library Digital Collections . August 2, 2023.
  6. Web site: Warrenton-Astoria Highway No. 105 Straightline Chart. PDF. Oregon Department of Transportation. February 17, 2014.
  7. Web site: Nehalem No. 102 Straightline Chart. PDF. Oregon Department of Transportation. February 17, 2014.
  8. Johnson . A. E. . Forest Cooper . U.S. Route 101 (Alternate) . October 26, 1965 . American Association of State Highway Officials . https://grmservices.grmims.com/vsearch/portal/public/na4/aashto/default . AASHTO Route Numbering Archive . August 1, 2023.