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State Shield

State Route 7

Click here for a key to the symbols used. An explanation of acronyms may be found at the bottom of the page.


Routing Routing

Rte 7From the northerly boundary of the Federal Port of Entry near Calexico to Route 8 near El Centro.

Post 1964 Signage History Post 1964 Signage History

1964-1982 Route 7 - Long Beach Freeway

Rte 7 - 1964-1983Post-1964 Legistlative Route Graphic ▸ In 1963, Route 7 was defined as "from Route 11 [Present-Day Route 110] in San Pedro to Route 210 in Pasadena via Long Beach and including a bridge, with at least four lanes, from San Pedro at or near Boschke Slough to Terminal Island."

▸ In 1965 the southern end was truncated by Chapter 1372, transferring the San Pedro portion and bridge to Route 47. This left the route definition as "from Route 1 to Route 210 in Pasadena."

On October 19, 1965, construction broke ground on the Gerald Desmond Bridge along Seaside Boulevard in Long Beach.  The structure was a direct replacement for the 1944 Terminal Island Pontoon Bridge.  The intent of the Gerald Desmond Bridge was to provide a direct link for Terminal Island traffic to reach the Long Beach Freeway. The Gerald Desmond Bridge was completed during June 1968.  The Gerald Desmond Bridge was a five lane through arch span which was 5,134 feet long.
(Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), "Interstate 710", 8/26/2023)

▸ In 1982, Chapter 914 extended the definition to include that portion of the freeway between Route 1 and the northern end of Harbor Scenic Drive, that portion of Harbor Scenic Drive to Ocean Boulevard, that portion of Ocean Boulevard west of its intersection with Harbor Scenic Drive to its junction with Seaside Boulevard, and that portion of Seaside Boulevard from the junction with Ocean Boulevard to Route 47. It was noted that this extension didn't become operative unless the commission approves a financial plan.

▸ In 1984, Chapter 409 deleted Route 7, and moved the definition to Route 710, which was defined as "Route 1 to Route 210 in Pasadena." The additional conditions regarding the Harbor Scenic Drive and the financial conditions were also transferred. This reflected the approval of Route 7 as 139(a) non-chargable interstate for continuity of numbering with Route 10 (I-10), off of which it spurs. [One might argue that it could have been considered a loop route around the center of the city, and as such, would more appropriately have an (even digit)05 number. However, all of the (even-digit)05 numbers are in use: I-205 (Sacramento), I-405 (Los Angeles), I-605 (Los Angeles), I-805 (San Diego).]

The legislative description of Route 710 transferred from Route 7 still included the portion between Route 1 and the northern end of Harbor Scenic Drive, a portion of Harbor Scenic Drive to Ocean Blvd, a portion of Ocean Blvd west of its intersection with Harbor Scenic Drive to its junction with Seaside Blvd, and a portion of Seaside Blvd from the junction with Ocean Blvd to Route 47. For a long time, this was ambiguously signed; it was signed as part of the route after planned port-related improvements by the cities of Long Beach and Los Angeles were completed. The segment from Ocean Blvd to Route 1 is non-chargeable 139(b) mileage. There are some indications that this segment was signed with a state, not Interstate, shield, at least until it was upgraded to full freeway as part of updates in the 2010s..

To make it clear: The south end of I-710 follows the west riverbank down and around into San Pedro, not the east riverbank into downtown Long Beach, across the Shoemaker Bridge. Caltrans only maintains the east riverbank spur until the 9th Street exit; the City of Long Beach has control of the road (Shoreline Drive) past this point (however, ownership of the Shoemaker Bridge will be changing post 2020). Route 710 is supposed to follow the Long Beach Freeway down to the Harbor Scenic Drive cutoff south of Anaheim Street (now constructed freeway), and then follow Harbor Scenic Drive (again, now constructed freeway) to Ocean Blvd (Seaside Freeway) and then follow Ocean Blvd across the Gerald Desmond Bridge to the junction of Ocean and Seaside Blvds with the Terminal Island Freeway. According to Caltrans, once the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge (the replacement for the Gerald Desmond bridge) was completed, Ocean Boulevard would be the westward extension of Route 710 to the Terminal Island Freeway (Route 47). Ocean Boulevard was originally operated by the City of Long Beach. After the bridge was completed, it and the segment of Ocean Boulevard between Route 47 and Route 710 was adopted into the State Highway System and the roadway transferred to Caltrans. The extension across the Shoemaker Bridge (7th Street) towards the Queen Mary, Cruise Terminals, Aquarium and the parks is Shoreline Blvd (although the Queen Mary is also accessible via S Harbor Scenic Drive). [Note: The planned adoption of the Shoemaker Bridge and associated on/off ramps was undone in March 2024]

[In fact, the state did not construct the portion of I-710 S of Route 1, across the Shoemaker Bridge That portion was constructed to freeway standards by the City of Long Beach. The construction cost was $12 million.]

On September 23, 1983, Caltrans submitted an application to add Route 7 and the Long Beach Freeway from Route 1 in Long Beach to I-10 to the Interstate System as I-710.  The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) approved the addition of I-710 on May 24, 1984.  During October 1984, the FHWA would approve the addition of I-710 and the Long Beach Freeway from Route 1 to I-10 as non-chargeable Interstate. On December 8, 1984, AASHTO would approve a second request by Caltrans to extend I-710 to Ocean Boulevard at the Port of Long Beach.   Note: The portion S of Ocean Blvd, and the portion N of I-10, are not part of the I-710 designation.
(Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), "Interstate 710", 8/26/2023)

For more information, see the page on Route 710.

Post-1990 Route 7 at the International Border

Rte 7 - Post 1990State Shield ▸ In 1990, the current incarnation of Route 7 was defined as "from a new International Border crossing near Calexico to Route 8 near El Centro." (Chapter 1187)

▸ In 1994, the definition was changed to "from the northerly boundary of the Federal Port of Entry near Calexico to Route 8 near El Centro." (Chapter 1220). Note that the route appears to continue N of Route 8 as Imperial County Sign Route S32 to Route 78, although County Sign Route S32 was defined well before Route 7. Route 7 becomes Orchard Road. N of I-8.

Route 7 was added facilitate State Highway access to the new Calexico East Port of Entry.  The Calexico East Port of Entry was intended to supplement the original Calexico Port of Entry by moving the trunk entry east of the city.  The Calexico East Port of Entry was constructed during 1996.  Route 7 was completed from the Mexican Border to Route 98 during March 1996 but did not open until December 2, 1996.  The delay in the opening of Route 7 was due to connecting highway in Mexico not being ready.
(Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), "California State Route 7", 8/9/2023)

Pre 1964 Signage History Pre 1964 Signage History

Sign Route 7 - Sepulveda Blvd

Leg Rte 157 and 158 - 1928Sign Route 7 corresponds to LRN 158. It appears the original routing for LRN 158 was intended to be on the other side of the reservoir. A map in the May-June 1928 CHPW shows the planned additional routes approaching Tunnel Station. One route corresponds to LRN 157, which was defined in 1933 by Chapter 767 as the route from "[LRN 4] near Tunnel Station to [LRN 9] near San Fernando". This later became part of I-210. The other route corresponds to what would become LRN 158, defined the route from "[LRN 4] near San Fernando to [LRN 60] near Mines Field".  The 1928 CHPW described it thusly, "From a point on the south roadway near the Cascade, is is proposed to build a new highway through the San Fernando Vallev and the Santa Monica mountains to the West Coast, there to connect with the state coast highway extending from Oxnard to San Juan Capistrano." This plan also contemplated the extension of Foothill Blvd: "It will be noted that the plan contemplates the ultimate extension of the principal streets of San Fernando westerly to an intersection with the proposed trunk highway. This will enable travel to filter into San Fernando and points along the northerly side of the Southern Pacific tracks along more direct lines.". However, by 1934 and the route adoption, LRN 158 had move to the east side of the San Fernando Reservoirs (later renamed the Van Norman Dam), with Balboa Blvd taking the route on the west side of the reservoirs. Based on USGS map analysis, Balboa Blvd also had some adjustments in this time: a 1941 map shows Balboa going up a route approximating today's Jollette, Meadowlark, and Sesnon. That routing is also shown in 1952. By the early 1960s, however, Balboa had moved to its current routing closer to Van Norman Dam. This could be related to movements of the route for home construction.

Rte 7 in 1934Pre-1964 State Shield In 1934, Sign Route 7 was signed along the route from Jct. Sign Route 3 (US 101A, later Route 1) at Torrance to the California-Nevada state line north of Coleville, via Mojave, and from the Nevada-California State Line near Reno Jct. to the California-Oregon State Line at New Pine Creek via Alturas. This signage was modified as new US highways were defined that took precedence over the Sign Route 7 routing: in particular, the designation of US 395 (1935), US 6 (1938), and US 99 (1926). Here is the allocation of the original Sign Route 7 to segments and legislative route numbers:

Tom Fearer describes it thusly: The original Sign Route 7 was announced as a highway originating at Sign Route 3/LRN 60 (future US 101A, later Route 1) in Torrance northward to the Nevada State Line, which connected through the Reno Area to a second segment to the Oregon State Line.  Sign Route 7 was originally defined followed the entirety of LRN 164 from Sign Route 3/LRN 60 north to LRN 158.  Sign Route 7 continued north via LRN 158 to US 99/LRN 4 near San Fernando where it briefly multiplexed it to LRN 23.  Sign Route 7 followed LRN 23 along the eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Topaz.  From Topaz, Sign Route 7 followed LRN 95 to the Nevada State Line where a gap in the highway existed.  Sign Route 7 emerged at the California/Nevada State Line north of Reno where it followed LRN 29, LRN 28 and LRN 73 towards the Oregon State Line.
(Source: Gribblenation Blog (Tom Fearer), "California State Route 7", 8/9/2023)

 US 395 was approved to be extended into California during 1934 by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO).  US 395 would replace Sign Route 7 from near Bradys north to the Oregon State Line. Given the timing of the creation of sign routes (summer 1934) and the extension of US 395, it is unclear if Sign Route 7 was signed in the field along the routing.

Rte 7 - 1939-1963In 1937, US 6 was extended into California, and would replace Sign Route 7 from US 395 near Bradys to US 99 near San Fernando. This left Sign Route 7 as running from LRN 3 near Palos Verdes to LRN 23 near Tunnel Station.

In 1938, another truncation of Sign Route 7 occurred, when Sign Route 7 was realigned to follow LRN 158/Sepulveda Boulevard south to a terminus at US 101A/LRN 158. The former routing along LRN 164 and Centinela Avenue became Sign Route 107. This changed Sign Route 7 to LRN 60 (US 101A) in Westchester to LRN 23 (US 6) near Tunnel Station.

In 1964, what remained of Sign Route 7 was replaced with I-405, although signage for I-405 began in the late 1950s as the freeway segments were constructed.

1964-1982 Route 7 - Long Beach Freeway

Note that the 1964-1982 Route 7 had been signed as Sign Route 15 [LRN 167], but in 1964 the Route 15 designation was reassigned to I-15. For the history of this route, see the page for I-710 or the entry for LRN 167.

Post-1990 Route 7 at the International Border

Post-1990 Route 7 was not in the state highway system before 1990; in fact, it is new highway.

Status Status

A controlled access highway routing has been adopted from Route 98 (~ 007 IMP 1.164) to I-8 (~ 007 IMP 6.695), per the August 2000 CTC Agenda. It was under construction as of October 2002, according to Don Hagstrom. It was open as of March 2012, giving trucks a full expressway route to the interstate, and allowing then to avoid the narrow 2-lane Route 98. A future extension of Route 7 north may be constructed as a routing of a new Route 115 expressway as well, although this is far off.

In September 2009, the CTC relinquished right of way in the county of Imperial along Route 7 from Heber Road to Hunt Road (11-Imp-7-PM 3.7/6.3), consisting of relocated or reconstructed county roads, and frontage roads. This is likely roadway bypassed or modified by the expressway construction.

In September 2019, it was reported that there is an effort underway to remove trucks from Orchard Road (County Sign Route S32) N of I-8. As part of this effort, Caltrans proposes to install signage along Route 7 advising drivers of large trucks going north to avoid Orchard Road and use alternate routes. Route 7 becomes Orchard at Interstate 8 south of Holtville. As part of a mid-range proposal, Caltrans is looking to develop a package of guidance signs to provide directional information for trucks as a part of its Traffic Investigative Report. The city of Holtville will eventually need to cooperate with the removal of truck-route designations at Orchard and Fourth Street, the north terminus of Orchard. Caltrans is looking at a number of guidance signs, the first at the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility at the East Port of Entry. There would be another sign on Route 7, midway up, for further notification to truck drivers, and, just south of I-8 on Route 7, a different sign that indicates the truck route ends in a half mile. Wording on the signs would read, “Trucks to SR 115 use I-8 West to SR 111 North.” This would direct trucks northbound from Mexico to Los Angeles. Also, signs would guide trucks southbound. The southbound sign would be at the intersection of Route 78 and Route 111 in Brawley. The sign would read, “Trucks to Route 7 Use Route 111 South to I-8 East.” A third sign near Holtville for trucks southbound on Route 115 would read, “Trucks to Route 7 Use Route 115 South to I-8 West.”
(Source: Holtville Tribune, 9/12/2019)

Note: Apparently, a 2007 episode of the TV program "24" featured a Route 7 that ran from the central part of Los Angeles (Florence and something) to Newhall. Although Pre-1964 Route 7 ran to Newhall, it was only from the top of the San Fernando Valley (Sepulveda Blvd), not from Central Los Angeles.

National Trails National Trails

Pre-1964 State Shield Midland Trail Sign The portions of 1934 Route 7 that correspond to US 6 and present day Route 14 were part of the Midland Trail.

Freeway Freeway

[SHC 253.1] Entire route.

Interstate Submissions Interstate Submissions

In November 1957, the California Department of Highways proposed the designation I-7 for what is now I-505. This was part of an approach to number current I-5 as I-11, and use the single odd digits for what are now loop routes in the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles areas.

Statistics Statistics

Overall statistics for Route 7:

Other WWW Links Other WWW Links

1964-1982 Route 7 - Long Beach Freeway

Post-1990 Route 7 at the International Border

Pre-1964 Legislative Route Pre-1964 Legislative Route

Leg Rte 7The route that would become LRN 7 was defined in the 1909 first bond act, running from Tehama Junction to Benicia.

Leg Rte 7 and Lrg Rte 74 in BeniciaThe original routing appears to have run from Benicia north-ish to Cordelia along what became Sign Route 21 to American Canyon, where it ran along American Canyon Road to Fairfield. From Fairfield it continued up to Davis. Near Davis, it split off and continued N along what is Route 113. It then continued along what was US 99W to Tehama Junction, which was just S of Red Bluff.

In 1931, it was extended by the addition of the secondary routing from [LRN 14] near Crockett to American Canyon Route near Vallejo. The rationale was that the route would provide a connection from the proposed American Canyon Route to [LRN 14] near Crockett. This also provided the connection from Cordelia to the future Carquinez Bridge. This spur provided a complete through road for traffic from the inland valleys to the bay area. Until the new spur was completed, it appears the routing used the newly defined LRN 74.

By 1935, the route was codified as:

  1. Benecia to Tehama Junction (essentially, Red Bluff)
  2. [LRN 14] near Crockett to American Canyon Route near Vallejo.

The "American Canyon Route" was either LRN 74 or LRN 104. It was then quickly amended by Chapter 274. Chapter 274 seemed to make a number of changes related to the Carquinez Bridge and the Benicia Ferry, one of which was to simplify the definition of LRN 7 to the simpler:

[LRN 14] near Crockett to Red Bluff

Chapter 274 also changed the definition of LRN 74. LRN 74 had been defined first in 1935 as "Vallejo to [LRN 8]". LRN 8 was what became Route 29 in American Canyon, with LRN 8 running from Cordelia to Ignacio. LRN 74 ran from LRN 8 down to Vallejo, along what is now Route 29. Chapter 274 also amended LRN 8 to be: "A point on [LRN 8] near the Napa Y to Cordelia via Vallejo and Benecia". This made LRN 74 "U" shaped, running from American Canyon down to Vallejo, across to Benicia, and then back up towards Cordelia where it met LRN 8 again.

So it seems that Chapter 274 did two major things with respect to LRN 7. First, it closed the gap between Vallejo and Red Bluff. Second, it transferred what had been the original LRN 7 between Benicia and Cordelia to LRN 74, and created a new state route between Benicia and Vallejo. These are what became I-780 and I-680. It also made the second segment essentially part of the mainline. The second segment was not removed until 1939.

By 1935, this was all considered a primary route.

In 1957, Chapter 36 extended the route to Albany, simplifying the definition to “[LRN 69] in Albany to [LRN 3] near Red Bluff”. LRN 69 was signed as Route 17, and is approximately I-580 today. LRN 7 was signed as US 40, and is approximately I-80 today (thus, LRN 7 began near what is now the I-80/I-580 interchange). It continued NNE signed as US 40 (approximately today's I-80) until just SSW of Davis.

LRN 7 continued N cosigned as US99W/Alt US 40 until Woodland. This is present-day Route 113.

LRN 7 then jogged W briefly signed as US99W/Route 16, and then continued N signed as US99W (later the approximate routing of I-5) until the junction with US99E (LRN 3) near Red Bluff.

US Highway Shield Lincoln Highway Sign The third iteration of the Lincoln Highway was routed out of Sacramento to the West along LRN 6 and LRN 7. It diverted to use Route 12 (LRN 8) and Route 29 (LRN 74) to return to LRN 7 near Vallejo, where it met LRN 14 to LRN 5, where it then crossed into San Francisco (originally via the Ferry, and later the Oakland Bay Bridge on LRN 68). The route originally terminated in Lincoln Park, six miles west of the ferry landing at the foot of Market Street. The Lincoln Highway ended opposite the Palace of the Legion of Honor at a small monument marking the spot. The last few miles (of the highway) were California Street.

National Park to Park Highway Sign The portion of this route between Oakland and Sacramento (LRN 6, LRN 7 and LRN 14), as well as the former US 99E portion to Red Bluff (LRN 3), was part of the National Park to Park Highway.


Acronyms and Explanations:


Back Arrow Route 6 Forward Arrow Route 8

© 1996-2024 Daniel P. Faigin.
Maintained by: Daniel P. Faigin <webmaster@cahighways.org>.