Welcome to Northern California

This page is not an official CalTrans or other agency site, I've lived in the area since 1986 and have driven at least 1.5 million miles in my lifetime - the majority of which has been up and down this 41 mile stretch of 299. I'm sure that given a little research, one can find out more accurate timelines, etc. from CalTrans, etc. - I'm just putting up this page because I still continue to have the 299E NET license plate, and figure that you more curious types might wonder why that is (founded an ISP by that name about 10 years ago, which has now closed. As part of that website I've historically posted views of roadside attractions as well as prior construction projects). During the time I lived in Burney I had neighbors who had moved there in 1940 when the Scott Lumber mill began operations. Back in that day, a trip to Redding was an all-day event, spending the night in town and returning the next day (at best). Much of the road was dirt or gravel, tolls were paid to travel through sections; and during the winters with heavy rains the road would be washed away, preventing travel, mail delivery, etc. for weeks as repairs were made. Then there's the Hatchet Mtn. summit and its winter hazards, but I may write about that at another time. Right now I just wanted to post the pictures we've been taking recently. Thanks for visiting! You're more than welcome to send me pictures, stories, etc. about your experiences along this highway. I've had the notion to set up a site that has a way for people to create virtual roadside memorials (rather than litter the real thing). SR 299 has claimed many lives; and since it is nearly the only roadway for those of us living in the region between Burney and Redding, it shapes our lives significantly - very frightening for us as parents to enter that time when our children are learning to drive! Please respect the dangers of driving, especially in mountainous areas -there are still plenty of curves left on this highway, people are always in too much of a hurry and there is always a contingent of egotists who must challenge the basic laws of nature. All of them can end up on your side of the road when going around a curve, some will be passing illegally, some are spun out on crank or drunk and doing these things with additional irresponsibility - and then there are always the potential rock slides and animals crossing.... PLEASE - put these possibilities in some corner of your mind as you drive!

299E Fountain Curve Realignment project: 2007 season

State Route 299E (East designates that portion of highway originating in Redding and terminating (as a dirt road) at the Nevada line beyond Cedarville, CA (Denio is not just a state of mind...).
State highway 44 originates in Redding and terminates at the connector to State highway 36 just west of Susanville - only mentioned here because CalTrans, in its infinite wisdom has opted to begin major roadway realignment projects on both of these roads this year, rather than staggering them. Highway 44 is currently closed to traffic 13 miles east of Redding, with detour on Dersch Rd. Since I don't drive that frequently, I am guessing that the project is addressing the curves and dips just east of Millville Plains that have prevented trucks that haul oversize loads from using this highway. Historically they have been routed onto I-80 and SR 299E.
The Fountain Curve on SR 299E approximately 28 miles East of Redding involves a complete removal of the existing roadbed, dropping its elevation in a cut-and-fill project that significantly straightens nearly a mile of road. This is the first time I've seen a toy collection valued at this many millions north of L.A. - up to 9 excavators were on the primary earthmoving at one time, I've heard somewhere that about 8,000 gallons of diesel are consumed each day at this site.
As of June 22 or so, traffic is controlled by 24-hour-per-day pilot vehicle on what is now a single lane compacted dirt roadbed. During the daytime, I've experienced wait times of up to 41 minutes, and coursing the construction zone takes up to 10 minutes. Judging by the stage of construction, I am estimating that it will be at least another week, possibly two, that traffic control will continue; with possibly longer waiting periods during the time that the remaining original roadbed is removed and traffic is directed onto the new grade.

Taken June 8 heading west

This is where construction zone begins at the eastern end - it wasn't readily apparent why the traffic stop was set up this far from excavation until now; pavement has been removed from the entire stretch ahead of this shot, roadbed has been halved with the closed portion being excavated to a lower grade than before.

Just about 500' beyond the traffic stop, hillsides have been removed that remained when the original (original paved - the 'original' roadbed can be spotted along many locations where it sits above the current highway on the way to Burney.

The excavated hillsides are transported by dump truck to fill the canyon under the powerlines, to the south of the Fountain (which used to be a roadside stop to fill radiator water from a spigot that piped water from the creek until a few years ago).

View south taken from the hairpin of the Fountain Curve.

Now looking back at where we've just driven...

Construction includes removal of this hillside as well. This one has had loose rock on the roadway and was cut steeply originally, making for poor visibility around the curve as one enters the Cedar Creek/Little Cow Creek canyon from the east.

Taken June 25 heading west

Just past the traffic stop. Pavement has been removed and west-bound lane excavated to meet the new grade. Driveways along this upper stretch are being excavated and regraded rather extensively in cases.

Now we can better visualize the course that the new road will take as the slopes are graded 20 feet or more below the existing roadbed, the fill raising the canyon under the Pacific Intertie (electrical grid).

Another view of the primary fill source. Not a great time to be living along this part of the highway, however it may be more pleasant once finished - hopefully far fewer wrecks!

Yet another load on its way to the canyon. Is that a 10-yard shovel? Hard to tell when all the equipment is this large.

The new canyon crossing getting up to grade. Construction appears to me to be rather efficient, making use of local material (including the operator who has to sit all day in an excavator with a battering pin to smash up all boulders to usable sizes. The noise, dust and routine of some of this work must be b-o-r-i-n-g but I guess the paycheck is good - this is an $11 million project).

View back up the hill (right by the Fountain).

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