CA-99 North: Madera, Chowchilla, Merced, Atwater, & Livingston

[@patdriver5696]

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this video, as I have traveled those roads, occassionally, several years ago. I enjoyed seeing where I was going, back then. And the cement concrete roadways vs the asphalt concrete roadways. Excellent work on your display. TY

[@morganm9040]

I’ve driven this stretch of CA99 many times. You always know when you’re in Madeira county when the streets change to Ave 17, Ave 18 1/2 (5:07). Never figured out how you can have 1/2 a street, but I’ll go with it. Plus you can see which counties pay for highway upgrades. Madera vs Merced. Good video, Kyle.

[@beachbuminca]

FYI Through most of the Valley, Roads (Road 30, Road 30-1/2 etc) run North-South, and Avenues run East West. I believe they are renumbered in every county (don't hold me to that!), and are at every 1 mile increments, 1/2 road is exactly that, the half mile point between two Roads or Avenues.

[@repurpbus]

They are removing the Palm and the Pine (actually a spruce tree) due to freeway expansion. There are several proposals out there from transplanting the trees, creating a rest area with new trees and a plaque describing the origins, to nothing.

[@Frank-w8j7g]

I used to live in Livingston and I remember I used to drive on the CA 99 to Turlock or Atwater for things. Kind of Nostalgic

[@jimmyggh1]

Use to live in Atwater, hated the construction of the Atwater/Merced Expressway

[@SeanJAnimations]

Current resident, hate it too

[@mattwiser8406]

I also remember 99 when they had the expressway segments in both Madera and Merced Counties. I had a recent trip to Sacramento, and was pleased to see the upgrades in Merced County (had driven 99 to the 152 junction, so the Madera ones I had riven). FYI Caltrans plans to replace the Palm and Pine with new trees when the upgrades between Madera and the San Joaquin River are finished. There are some additional upgrades planned for Tulare and Kern Counties that-hopefully, would make it eligible for Interstate designation, and thus Fresno, Bakersfield, and Modesto would finally get their Interstate...

[@grizzfan08]

Being from Mariposa County, I know this section of 99 fairly well. The 152/99 interchange will be redone in the near future as well to accommodate the big HSR station that'll be built nearby. Those cross-traffic intersections are disgusting (they still exist on the 152 over Pacheco Pass, and on the 58 over the Tehachapi), and I remember when the stretch between Atwater & Livingston had them but were removed to make the Sultana Dr. overpass. That road study is no surprise especially after that road work between Merced and Livingston the past couple of years (driving between narrow rows of traffic barriers is not fun at all).

[@jamesmassey-cc4ml]

I first remember CA 99 in the mid 1970s. It was four lane expressway in many areas with cross grade intersections. In the town of Livingston there was a traffic light.

[@BelwonsenorSimpkriss]

That was finally made extinct soon after the turn of the century. I remember the one at Keyes Road in Keyes as well.

[@robertwilliam9558]

Kyle, will the next video be Turlock, Modesto, Ripon, and Manteca?

[@PlasticBubbleCosplay]

So much better with three lanes each way -- can still get past the "elephant racing" (trucks passing one another at .1MPH speed difference) as well as toy haulers and such.

[@BelwonsenorSimpkriss]

It is not quite rush hour yet the traffic is heavy and yucky as usual though, nowadays, it gets worse since so many that live in Fresno are now commuting to jobs in Manteca. (Not kidding!) Homes are at least a half a million in Manteca new or used. The state neglects us here in The Valley. (As you are aware.) I watch these videos to see what has changed on this freeway since I got rid of my car and live a different lifestyle than most even though I am from here, too. You like to drive; I do not. :) Thanks for the video.

[@rjmcallister1888-l3p]

There need to be some more improvements, and some of the advertising along the highway has to be removed (too close), and there will need to be some waivers for things like the railroad next to the highway, but it appears there's not much more to be done if Caltrans wants to pursue I-9 status for US 99, ideally between I-8 and I-80. California needs more designated major routes to take the load off I-5. It also needs to finish CA 58 and designate it I-40 between I-5 and I-15 to relieve traffic around Los Angeles.

[@mtnboy95338]

I vote for I9, I rarely drive the Fresno to Merced section. Usually I drive Fresno south or Merced north.

[@BelwonsenorSimpkriss]

2:02 And they have had to replace the redwood tree at least one time and probably will have to replace the redwood tree again since it is way too dry at that location for the poor soul.

[@arjnsdca]

If you ever want company on a drive, I’m in Fresno.🎉

[@timmannchicken]

While I look forward to final stretch of 99 that has yet to be widen and improved, I am sad that it will come at the expense of the 100 year old removal of the pine and palm tree's. I am not sure what was approved as the replacement.

[@elizabethorsillo7187]

Although there is already an I-99 in central Pennsylvania and southern New York. But it’s not a complete interstate yet.

[@BelwonsenorSimpkriss]

It will probably be called Interstate 7 but maybe I-9.